TORONTO - The temporary director of the Toronto Community Housing Corporation has approved the sale of 21 single-family homes in Toronto, angering tenants, neighbours and some city councilors.

Case Ootes, the only current member of the TCHC board, says the homes are in such a state of disrepair that it's not worth spending the money to repair them.

Instead, Ootes told a public meeting at TCHC headquarters on Wednesday he believes that $15 million expected to be raised by putting the properties up for sale will be better spent repairing other units in need of improvements.

Many people who spoke at the meeting didn't agree.

Ootes was repeatedly asked by several tennants and councillors to either reconsider or delay his decision until a full board can be appointed.

"With the sale of these homes you are breaking up neighbourhoods and communities," tenant Heather O'Neil said. "Isn't that what Toronto is supposed to be about? I beg you, please don't do this to us."

Josephine Grey, a TCHC tennant and Toronto poverty activist, told the packed meeting that she was concerned because the TCHC's 22-year waiting list for large families will become even longer if the homes are sold.

The decision will now go before city council for approval.

Ootes, who is a former city councillor and was a deputy mayor under Mel Lastman, was appointed managing director after an auditor's report in late February revealed tens of thousands of dollars in questionable purchases by staff at the corporation.

Some of the spending included parties, chocolates, a boat cruise and spa trips and millions of dollars in improperly awarded contracts. By taking the interim post, Ootes assumed the duties of all 13 previous board members which previously oversaw the corporation.

Joyce Tait who lives in one of the homes the TCHC had planned to sell, was told on Tuesday that she would be allowed to stay in her beach-front home after she produced a city letter handed to her a decade ago giving her a "relocation exemption" due to age and health.

With a report from CTV Toronto's Alicia Markson.