Arnold Schwarzenegger pledges to help a 102-year-old retired charity worker facing eviction
- Thelma Smith is facing eviction from her California home of nearly 30 years
- Schwarzenegger knows her through charity work and tweeted pledging to help
- He said: 'Imagine doing this to a 102-year-old woman who gave back to the community her whole life'
Arnold Schwarzenegger has pledged to help a 102-year-old retired charity worker who is facing eviction from her home of nearly 30 years.
Thelma Smith was told she had to move out of her accommodation before June 30 by her landlords who say their daughter needs a place to live.
Los Angeles' rent control law provides relocation assistance for elderly and disabled.
This photo taken May 22, 2019, shows 102-year-old Thelma Smith, in photo right, is being evicted from her Ladera Heights residence of 30 years. Her longtime neighbor Pauline Cooper, left, spoke about her friend's situation, in Los Angeles, Calif. Smith has until June 30, 2019, to move out. (Gary Coronado/Los Angeles Times via AP)
Schwarzenegger, who knew Smith through his involvement with the charity, called the eviction 'heartless'
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But Ms Smith, a retired secretary for the Sugar Ray Robinson Youth Foundation, lives in an unincorporated section of Los Angeles County, just outside the city limits.
The law doesn't apply there.
Schwarzenegger, who knew Smith through his involvement with the charity, called the eviction 'heartless.'
He tweeted: 'Imagine doing this to a 102-year-old woman who gave back to the community her whole life.'
In an interview with CBS, Ms Smith said: 'The only thing I can say is that I've tried to live a good life.
'I never wanted to harm anybody.'
A spokesman says Schwarzenegger's staff has met with Smith to find a solution.
