CONGRESSMAN GOMEZ, CATHAY MANOR RESIDENTS HOST PRESS CONFERENCE TO CALL FOR THE REMOVAL OF DON G. TOY, CEO AND PRESIDENT OF C.C.O.A HOUSING CORPORATIONREP. GOMEZ URGES IMMEDIATE ACTION WITHOUT DISPLACEMENT OF RESIDENTS
LOS ANGELES,
December 16, 2021
|
Cameron Edinburgh
(202-515-1301)
LOS ANGELES – Today, Congressman Jimmy Gomez (CA-34) joined residents and community leaders at a press conference at Cathay Manor Apartments to call for the resignation of Don G. Toy, Chief Executive Officer and President of C.C.O.A Housing Corporation. Cathay Manor, a 16-story, 270-unit residential apartment building, is owned and operated by the C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation, a nonprofit entity that developed Cathay Manor with financing through the HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program and currently receives project-based Section 8 rental assistance. Residents of the building have cited insufficient building maintenance, pest infestations, and numerous building safety concerns. Residents have also cited frequent and sustained elevator outages that prevent the elderly tenants from accessing food and medical services. “For far too long, the residents of Cathay Manor—many of whom are elderly and disabled—have had to live in substandard housing,” said Congressman Jimmy Gomez. “Under the management of Don Toy and the C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation, this residential building has fallen into an unacceptable state of disrepair. That’s why I’m calling on the Department of Housing and Urban Development to end Toy’s involvement at Cathay manner as quickly as possible, to take swift and appropriate enforcement action, and to ensure Cathay Manor remains as affordable housing for the residents of Chinatown.” Congressman Gomez also toured the building to meet with residents and community leaders to listen to their concerns. "HUD must support residents’ demands to remove Don Toy from any involvement at Cathay Manor, pursue an investigation of C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation's finances, and address the building's countless health and safety issues,” said Frances Huynh, from the Chinatown Community for Equitable Development. “There needs to be accountability. Cathay Manor tenants have the right to live in safe and affordable housing free from abuse and neglect." “We support Congressmember Jimmy Gomez proposal to dismiss Don Toy—we are very happy,” said Ne Hung Hom, president of the Cathay Manor Resident Council. “Don Toy has abused us seniors for years." ### December 15, 2021 The Honorable Marcia L. Fudge Dear Secretary Fudge: I write on behalf of the residents of Cathay Manor Apartments (“Cathay Manor”) to strongly urge the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to call for the resignation of Don G. Toy, Chief Executive Officer and President of the Chinese Community on Aging (C.C.O.A) Housing Corporation. The substandard housing conditions at Cathay Manor jeopardize the health and well-being of its residents, and it’s no longer in the best interest of HUD or my constituents for Mr. Toy to continue in his role. Cathay Manor, a 16-story, 270-unit residential apartment building, is owned and operated by the C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation, a nonprofit entity that developed Cathay Manor with financing through the HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program and currently receives project-based Section 8 rental assistance. As noted in my November 2021 letter, residents reported concerns about the unsafe, unhealthy, and physically deteriorating conditions at Cathay Manor. The most recent Real Estate Assessment Center (REAC) inspection score of 28c issued on October 13, 2021 confirmed tenant reports of rodent and roach infestations, exposed wires and electrical hazards, inoperable fire protection, mold and mildew, and broken sanitation systems, to name a few. Recently, the Los Angeles City Attorney filed 16 misdemeanor charges against C.C.O.A. Housing Corporation and Mr. Toy relating to their alleged “failure over the past two months to address the inoperable elevators, their failure to properly maintain and repair the building and equipment contained in that building, their failure to test and maintain equipment in accordance with Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) fire safety protocols, and their failure to comply with the City’s orders to comply with the law.” Simply put, Mr. Toy’s dereliction of responsibilities has jeopardized the health and wellbeing of elder and disabled residents of Cathay Manor. On December 7, HUD staff notified my office that it demanded Mr. Toy immediately hire a management agent to provide management services during this critical time. Mr. Toy was notified November 5, 2021 and was sent a Notice of Default December 7, 2021, making it clear that serious problems persist with his leadership. This follows a community town hall organized by Cathay Manor residents, at which my office heard directly from constituents about the poor progress to improve living conditions. It is unconscionable that Mr. Toy remains in place, continuing to collect rent and taxpayer dollars, as he willfully refuses to perform his most basic obligations. The health and well-being of Cathay Manor’s residents is of upmost importance to me. I will not stand to see elderly residents uprooted from their communities, where they hold a strong sense of cultural belonging and can access essential services in their native language. HUD must act with urgency to address the deficiencies at Cathay Manor and ensure the residential building retains its Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract, which is up for renewal on December 20, 2022. I again urge you to end Mr. Toy’s involvement at Cathay Manor as quickly as possible and take swift and appropriate enforcement action.
Jimmy Gomez |
