NLSLA AND AJSOCAL SECURE VICTORY FOR ELDERLY TENANTS STRANDED FOR WEEKS IN 16-STORY BUILDING IN CHINATOWN

Neighborhood Legal Services of Los Angeles (NLSLA) and Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) have announced the successful completion of a long-term lawsuit on behalf of senior citizens living in unsafe conditions in Cathay Manor, a 16-floor building in Los Angeles’ Chinatown.

Despite receiving federal subsidies to provide safe housing for low-income seniors, the owners and managers of Cathay Manor engaged in a years-long pattern of abusive behavior that escalated significantly over the summer months of 2021 when both elevators broke down, forcing disabled seniors to climb low-lit, dangerous stairwells and leaving others trapped in their apartments for weeks.

After tenants spent months trying to call attention to the broken elevators and other problems in the building, including a lone laundry room that was out of commission, NLSLA and AJSOCAL sued the building owners and managers of Cathay Manor in 2021 on behalf of the tenants. NLSLA and AJSOCAL attorneys ultimately represented close to 200 tenants in the lawsuit.

After the lawsuit was filed, the elevators and laundry room were repaired, along with other longstanding habitability issues. Additionally, HUD launched an investigation into the non-profit that owns the building and its CEO, resulting in a $1.5 million fine and a mandate that the owner sell the building within a year. The building was sold in June 2023.

“This settlement marks a turning point for nearly 200 low-income seniors who endured dangerous and unacceptable living conditions for far too long,” said NLSLA attorney David Pallack. “No one—especially elders and people with disabilities—should be forced to climb dark stairwells, live without basic services, or fear being trapped in their homes. Through this case, our clients not only secured compensation for the harm they experienced, but also real accountability and lasting changes that have made their homes safe again.”

“The majority of residents at Cathay Manor are elder Chinese immigrants,” said Catherine Hwang, Impact Litigation Staff Attorney at AJSOCAL. “This case amplified their voices, enabling them to demand changes to their unsafe living conditions. This outcome gives them their deserved dignity and respect.”

In January, the case was officially settled. Plaintiffs have settled and received a significant six-figure settlement in total damages. NLSLA attorneys David Pallack, Rachel Steinback, and Ana Zuniga along with NLSLA paralegal Mona Lao and co-counsel from Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, Catherine Hwang, were instrumental in ensuring the senior clients were represented and compensated.

Cathay Manor’s new ownership and management have been more responsive to making repairs.

“For a long time, we felt ignored and forgotten,” said Cathay Manor resident and plaintiff, Mr. Wai Wing Ng. “Some of us could not leave our apartments, and others had to risk our safety just to go down the stairs. With help from AJSOCAL and NLSLA, we finally had a voice. Now the building is safer, repairs have been made, and we feel respected again.”