Politics & Government

South Gate City Council Expresses Support for Resident Fighting Eviction

The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department is expected to carry out the eviction in the morning.

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The South Gate City Council unanimously expressed its support for Ana Casas Wilson, 50, a longtime South Gate resident who suffers from stage four breast cancer and cerebral palsy, whose eviction from her 8968 San Juan Avenue home of 40 years is expected to take place this morning.

“I really, really need your help today,” said Casas Wilson to the council at their Tuesday meeting. “I do not know what to do.”

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According to Casas Wilson, both Wells Fargo and US Bank have refused to negotiate with her for a loan modification.

Organizers from Alliance of Californians for Community Empowerment (ACCE), which has supported Casas Wilson through out her eviction battle, said that the refusal to negotiate on behalf of the banks is happening despite the fact that that she now has a stable income. and has been qualified by a certified Housing and Urban Development (HUD) counselor.

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“[Casas Wilson] is not asking for more time in her house,” said Peter Kuhns, community organizer with ACCE, while at the meeting. “She is asking for [the banks] to do what they are suppose to do under the modification program.”

Casas Wilson has gone to some great lengths to try and get the attention of the banks. For example, she was arrested in front of the home of Tim Sloan, the Chief Financial Officer of Wells Fargo, as she attempted to hand him a payment from her house. 

According to information released in a press release by ACCE, Casas Wilson refinanced her home, but fell behind in her mortgage payments after being diagnosed with cancer.

Her husband, James Wilson, a current employee of the Lynwood Unified School District,  had to quit one of his jobs in order to become his wife’s caretaker, which contributed to the financial difficulties of the family.

All of the South Gate City Council members expressed their full solidarity with Casas Wilson, and promised to write a city issued letter to  both the banks and Lee Baca, the Los Angeles County Sheriff, where they are requesting that the eviction not take place.

“I think this is one of those situations where wee need to take some action,” said Vice-Mayor Gil Hurtado. “I think this cant wait.”

Councilmember Maria Davila also expressed the importance of time and called for speed.

“Lets do something today,” said councilmember Davila. “When there is the will there is a way.”

While other councilmember's took the opportunity to express their general disgust towards the banks behavior in this situation.

“I think that what these banks are doing is wrong,” said councilmember who added that he had already sent two letters to the chief executives of both banks. “It is all about the money and they have no compassion for anybody.”

It appears so far that the banks have not reconsidered their position. In a statement to the Los Angeles Times, Wells Fargo said the following:

"We understand the empathy that people will feel for Ms. Casas Wilson," stated Vickee J. Adams, a Wells Fargo spokesperson. "But it's time to move forward. There is no viable option for retention."

Supporters will be spending the night at Casas Wilson’s home, and will stand by her until the eviction is performed.

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