Slum Convictions Benefit Youth Shelter

Convictions in two slum housing cases became a boon to a homeless shelter for runaway youngsters Monday when City Atty. James Hahn delivered checks worth $7,500 to the Van Nuys-based Children of the Night facility.

The two checks, one for $6,500 and another for $1,000, came from building owners who pleaded no contest to code violations. The shelter’s executive director, Lois Lee, believes the punishment was fitting.

“I think it’s appropriate restitution for people who have provided inadequate housing and have accepted rent for it,” Lee said, adding that the funds will provide “housing for people who have no housing.”

She said the $7,500 will provide one youngster with housing in the shelter plus counseling and job training, and still leave $2,500 left over.

The shelter, she said, has an annual budget of about $1.7 million.

FBP Asset Genpar Six, an Alhambra-based investment syndicate that owned an apartment building at 15543 Nordhoff St. in North Hills, pleaded no contest on Jan. 11 to six violations of health and safety codes. Los Angeles Municipal Court Judge Frank Johnson ordered the group to make a $6,500 donation to Children of the Night, plus $3,034 in fines and costs. The 47-unit building has since been sold to a new owner, who is repairing it, Hahn said.

Peter Yan Sheng Liu, 56, was ordered to pay $1,000 to the shelter after pleading no contest Nov. 15 to five violations of fire, health and safety codes at a 20-unit apartment building in the MacArthur Park area.

“We’re thrilled with the donations,” Lee said. “Especially because we don’t take government money. We operate on private donations.”