Senior says he and others are being illegally targeted for apartment eviction

While caring for one of his two young children, 65-year-old Raymond Thompson says he's experiencing significant stress after receiving his latest eviction notice from the manager at Cathedral Palms Senior Apartments, which is government subsidized housing for low-income seniors.

"They want me and my daughters out on the streets. It isn't fair. It's not right and National Community Renaissance ought to be ashamed of themselves," said Thompson.

Thompson says the complex managers are basing the eviction on a "false accusation" against him that he threatened to kill a neighbor. It's an accusation that he strongly denies.

"They've taken me to court under false accusations, and the person who made the accusations did not show up," said Thompson.

Also receiving an eviction notice is Lisa Westman, who says management's claim against her, after being moved to another unit at the complex, is that she is not paying rent on the "rat infested" unit she left behind.

"I think this place should be shut down completely," said Westman.

Both Westman and Thompson believe the "real reason" they're being forced out is because management wants all tenants out for an announced property-wide renovation project funded by a federal grant which begins in April.

Back in September, we were at the Cathedral Palms Senior Apartments after some residents contacted News Channel 3 complaining about rent increases they described as "excessive".

On behalf of the residents, we stopped by the management office for a response to their claims but the office was closed.

We also left phone messages requesting responses at the office and with the property's parent company, National Community Renaissance in Rancho Cucamonga.

Thompson says his biggest concern is ending up homeless if he's evicted.

"Yes I'm scared that I'm going to be homeless, that works me up," said Thompson.

If that happens he says he'll lose partial custody of his children.

The property manager did not return our call seeking comment.

However, late Tuesday afternoon, News Channel 3 received a voice message, and an email from Steve Lambert, a representative for the parent company.

Lambert's email included the following:

"Although we don't comment on the particulars of any eviction process involving any of our residents, we can, however, categorically deny the allegations that appear to have been made by one of our residents. Any news report based on that information would be inaccurate.

We would note a few important points to help clarify this matter:

There are no evictions tied to any potential future rehabilitation at Cathedral Palms, nor have there been at any time leading up to this request.

When we do unfortunately have to pursue eviction as a remedy against one of our residents for violation of lease terms, we do so always in consultation with our attorneys to ensure that we comply with all applicable law. We have not diverged from that practice.

When we commence eviction proceedings against our residents, the grounds for the eviction will be documented within a notice provided to the resident. The resident will be well-aware, as a result, of the basis for seeking an eviction against him/her. We suggest that you may wish to request that this resident share that eviction notice with you. The notice will provide you with a clearer understanding of the actual basis for the eviction. Again, the basis for eviction is not related in any way to any rehabilitation/renovation of Cathedral Palms and we are prepared to prove the basis for eviction should the resident choose to challenge the eviction in court.

As always, we are and remain committed to providing quality affordable housing to our senior residents."

News Channel 3 also contacted the Riverside County Housing Authority and asked about any recourse that might be available to the tenants.

We are waiting for a response to that question.