LA Homeless Program Fails Tenants with Evictions, Oversight Flaws

The LA city homeless housing program (TLS) has symbolically revealed structural flaws as Korean American tenants faced sudden eviction threats without proper protections.

The program, operated by the Korean Youth and Community Center (KYCC), sent out notices in April warning tenants of eviction. Under TLS regulations, however, only landlords have eviction authority, not KYCC. This caused frustration among tenants, with some stating they felt they were being “kicked out without prior notice.”

KYCC explained the notices were meant to guide residents to other shelters rather than enforce eviction. However, the documents included phrases such as “legal eviction that could become public record,” effectively serving as eviction warnings. Residents said this unauthorized action by KYCC caused them psychological shock and anxiety.

Further controversy arose over the role of Kim, a middleman acting as the main communication channel between KYCC and landlords. According to the KYCC website, Kim was listed as an honorary advisor who introduced landlords to the TLS program and delivered government funds, received by KYCC, to landlords.

However, KYCC stated it viewed Kim as representing landlords, while landlords claimed Kim represented KYCC and said they paid him a monthly commission. Landlords reported paying $350 per room, totaling $2,800 monthly, with checks made out to “Taste of Koreatown LA.”

If these claims are true, a figure with unclear identity or role intervened in a public budget program as a broker. KYCC denied knowledge of commission payments, stating it was a matter between landlords and Kim.

KYCC also maintained that its main role is case management and connection support, not property management. However, residents reported persistent safety issues, such as broken toilets and external intrusions, and claimed management ignored these problems. Instead of protection, the situation exposed ongoing buck-passing between the government, KYCC, and landlords.

This case is symbolic of structural deficiencies within the TLS program, which receives $47 million annually. Residents received confusing notices and little genuine protection due to an unclear chain of responsibility.

Currently, tenants remain in their units without alternative housing as landlords proceed with legal eviction while negotiating unpaid rent with KYCC.

Tenant Myung-Oh Jeon said, “I heard LA city supported $1,650 per room. With that budget, they should have provided at least basic management. But now they’re just telling us to leave.”

BY HANKIL KANG [kang.hankil@koreadaily.com]