Elderly residents evicted from Westwood apartment building amid plans for renovation

WESTWOOD, LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Residents of a Westwood senior apartment complex, many of whom are in their 90s or over 100, have all received eviction notices amid the new owner's plan to renovate the building and convert it into an assisted-living facility.

The notices, delivered Nov. 30, said the residents had 120 days to vacate the premises.

"Who the heck wants to be evicted at age 100?" said Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, who met Thursday evening with residents of the Vintage Westwood Apartments. "It couldn't be more outrageous. (It's) probably the largest senior citizen mass eviction in the country's history. I've never heard of anything like this."

The property's new owner, Watermark Retirement Communities, plans to refurbish the structure.

"We're still in shock," said 90-year-old Jane Mombach. "It's still very traumatic for everybody, and we have residents that are over 100 years old."

Dorothy Altshuler, 95, said she is "happy here" and does not want to leave. "I don't have the energy to move," she added.

The residents were informed they have a legal right to a one-year extension of residency and relocation assistance up to $20,000.

"They should have a heart," said Joseph Goldfarb, 99, a Holocaust survivor who spent 3 years in a concentration camp. "To do something to people like this ... 95-year-old people in wheelchairs, people with Alzheimer's disease."

Asked if she knew what she would do following the eviction, Mombach replied: "No, I have no idea. I have no idea."

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