Updated December 24 2016
“Certainly tenants who are white at the property, and the non-Blacks, have the use and benefit of intercom and parking stall, and certainly those tenants reasonably and justifiably place significant and substantial importance on such housing services since they signed the lease and pay over $1700 per month for such housing services. I can hear the voices of those now long dead Blacks in Alabama, ‘Oh, Mister Charlie, I just want me an Intercom boss, and some maintenance, and maybe a parking spot for my car, I am on my knees begging you boss.’ And the white plantation owner smiles down on the Darky and whips him for daring to ask a question. Well what year was that? 2015? The plantation owner continues, ‘And don’t even think of going to court, Boy, cause we gonna lynch you before you get there!’
Taken from “How does a Ham-Jew-DNA-Kushite Black American qualify for intercom?” Click here to see page
Updated September 19 2016
Los Angeles, California officials say Black tenant perceived as “Nigger” not entitled to full and equal housing privileges. Select tenants are named. United States Central District Court case CV16-03236 JLS.
Attorneys for the defendants are ATTORNEY FOR COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES, AND ALAN CHEN Renee E Jensen lduarte@fwhb.com, rjensen@fwhb.com; ATTORNEY FOR WILLIAMS REAL ESTATE ADVISORS, Inc. Thomas L Watters twatters@hartwattersandcarter.com; ATTORNEY FOR STATE OF CALIFORNIA Martin Ageson martin.ageson@doj.ca.gov, marsha.petty@doj.ca.gov; ATTORNEY FOR CITY OF LOS ANGELES, CHARLES GARCIA, BARBARA BRASCIA, RICHARD BRINSON, ARMIDA-OLGUIN FLORES Robert P Moore robert.p.moore@lacity.org, julie.martinez@lacity.org; ATTORNEY FOR HI POINT APTS, LLC, WALTER BARRATT, CLIFF RENFREW Jared A Barry jared@barrylawgroup.com [UPDATED SEPT. 19, 2016]
Lawsuit Against Hi Point Apts, LLC et al.
Updated December 26, 2016
What rights does a landlord give up by renting to you? Read this excellent site on Privacy
[http://www.caltenantlaw.com/Privacy.htm]
Update June 14 2016
“More questions about practices of Hi Point Apts LLC et al. in the conspiracy and retaliation against Civil Rights “
[from tenant name redacted]
Tue 6/14/2016 11:04 PM Inbox
To:Alan Chen
Cc: Charles Garcia
The Torture Chamber at Hi Point Apts Los Angeles Rent Control Building
To Whom It May Concern and Mayor Eric Garcetti, Governor Jerry Brown, Kevin Kish, and Rushmore Cervantes:
As a Ham-Jew-DNA-Kushite/Black, I continue to be denied housing services of a working intercom and tandem parking stall.
“Government Code 12927. As used in this part in connection with housing accommodations, unless a different meaning clearly appears from the context: (c) (1) “Discrimination” includes refusal to sell, rent, or lease housing accommodations….includes refusal to negotiate for the sale, rental, or lease of housing accommodations….”
Civil code section “3483. Every successive owner of property who neglects to abate a continuing nuisance upon, or in the use of, such property, created by a former owner, is liable therefor in the same manner as the one who first created it.”
Civil Code 3484. The abatement of a nuisance does not prejudice the right of any person to recover damages for its past existence.
Federal law
Sec. 804. [42 U.S.C. 3604] Discrimination in sale or rental of housing and other prohibited practices As made applicable by section 803 of this title and except as exempted by sections 803(b) and 807 of this title, it shall be unlawful–
(b) To discriminate against any person in the terms, conditions, or privileges of sale or rental of a dwelling, or in the provision of services or facilities in connection therewith, because of race, color, religion, sex, familial status, or national origin. [emphasis added].
I will quote what the DFEH said on May 18 2016 that Hi Point Apts LLC said. I ask that Hi Point Apts LLC immediately notify me in writing by non-electronic means if any part of what the DFEH said Hi Point Apts LLC said is incorrect. The alleged words of Hi Point Apts LLC are not authenticated.
1. WHAT THE DFEH SAID MAY 18
[Note that the DFEH made its decision May 18 2016 without giving me fair due process opportunity to review the position of Hi Point Apts LLC.]
“The Respondents asserted none of the intercoms in the building were working when they took over management, but they began installing working intercoms as tenants vacated the premises and they had a chance to renovate the empty units.”
[My position: denial of full and equal accommodations, terms, conditions, privileges and advantages due to race, Black, and age. Denial of a housing service of repairs due to race, Black, and age. 42 U.S.C. 3604(b). Refusal to negotiate for rental. Retaliation because I complained.]
“They [Respondents] stated the four units with non-working intercoms, including your apartment, are occupied by long term tenants, which is why those units continue to have intercoms that do not work.”
[My position: denial of full and equal accommodations, terms, conditions, privileges and advantages due to race, Black, and age. Denial of a housing service of repairs due to race, Black, and age. 42 U.S.C. 3604(b). Refusal to negotiate for rental. Retaliation because I complained.]
3. There are 18 apartments in the building. There are 20 parking stalls. Who are the extra two parking stalls assigned to and what was the qualifications for assigning tenants to the extra stalls?
4. SCEP specific mission….. “To identify and facilitate the abatement of physical conditions and characteristics of substandard and unsanitary residential buildings and dwelling units which render them unfit or unsafe for human occupancy and habitation, and which conditions and characteristics are such as to be detrimental to or jeopardize the health, safety and welfare of their occupants and of the public”…… Why hasn’t the SCEP inspection cited the owner for the non-working intercoms? Why are tenants forced to reimburse for the SCEP fee when parts of the intercom system are non- operational? Why has the city given the owner SCEP approval and ignored the non-working intercoms?
5. One of the purposes of the intercom system is for security and safety. Why does the owner, city, county, and state government entities continue to allow and create unsafe conditions at 1522 Hi Point Street Apartments due to the lack of fully operational intercom system?
6. Please verify. On or about November 26 2014, tenants [two names] occupied apartment 9. On or around that date the apt 9 tenants experienced a kitchen sink blockage of which the owner maintenance agent came out and repaired. On that date of November 26, 2014, the apartment 9 was occupied; maintenance crews had a chance to make repairs.
7. Please verify. On or about May 26 2015, tenants [two names] occupied apartment 9. On or around that date the apt 9 tenant [one of two] witnessed an electrician at the front of the building working on the intercom system. On that date of May 26 2015, the apartment 9 was occupied; maintenance crews had a chance to make repairs.
8. The owner of the property has failed in his duty to act in a reasonable manner.
9. It is recognized under state civil code 1942.4 (a) (3) an owner generally has about 35 days to “abate the nuisance or repair the substandard conditions.”
10. That the owner has had well over 35 days to abate the nuisance or repair or replace the non- working intercoms.
11. The owner has failed in his duty to act in good faith.
12. The owner of the property has failed to offer to apt 9 tenants an additional services contract for the intercom and tandem parking that complies with all applicable laws and is not an illegal and unilateral rent increase.
13. Please list any members of the Los Angeles city council who are Ku Klux Klan members.
14. Please list any members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors who are Ku Klux Klan members.
15. Please list any members of the cabinet of Governor Edmund G. Brown who are Ku Klux Klan members.
16. Will there be any objection to Rev. Al Sharpton visiting 1522 Hi Point St 90035?
17. Will there be any objection to “Black Lives Matters” members visiting 1522 Hi Point St 90035?
18. “410.04 Housing services are services that are connected with the use or occupancy of a rental unit including, but not limited to, utilities (including light, heat, water and telephone), ordinary repairs or replacement, and maintenance including painting. The term also includes the provision of elevator service, laundry facilities and privileges, common recreational facilities, janitor service, resident manager, refuse removal, furnishings, food service, parking and any other benefits, privileges or facilities. (LAMC Sec. 151.02, Definition of Housing Services). ”
19. Do all of you understand quoted RAC regulation 410.04 definition of Housing Services? 20. Which persons disagree with RAC regulation 410.04?
21. Please list on what dates tenants who are white moved into apartments, by number, between April 2014 and June 2016.
22. What is the relationship of Hi Point Apts LLC to Abady Holdings LLC?
23. Does Walter Barratt, as manager of Hi Point Apts LLC, have an ownership stake in Hi Point Apts LLC?
24. Please provide dates as to when apt 9 will be (1) provided with a working intercom/repair and (2) a tandem parking stall.
25. Please provide an estimate of how many hours would it take to repair/replace the intercom in apartment 9.
26. Please indicate where it says in the rental agreement with apt 9 tenants and/or any city, state, or federal law, ordinance or regulation, that Black “long term tenants” are not entitled to housing services in America.
27. Please indicate where it says in the rental agreement with apt 9 tenants and/or any city, state, or federal law, ordinance or regulation, that Black tenants in America are not entitled to receive “working intercoms” until tenants vacate “the premises and” the owner has a “chance to renovate the empty units”.
28. What state contractor permit or certification is needed to install an intercom system at 1522 Hi Point St?
29. How are the owner rules on the intercom installation and receiving parking stalls applied to all tenants in a fair manner?
30. How are rules made for the purpose of the owner complying with his legal obligations?
A response from all parties, in writing by non-electronic means, is requested. All rights reserved.
[tenant name, address, phone redacted]
Ham-Jew-DNA-Kushite/Black
c: Department of Fair Employment and Housing [re English Comprehension Unit]
See the Youtube Video Jerry Brown’s Klan at 1522 Hi Point Street
Update April 17 2016
Criminal Acts of Hi Point Apts LLC and its agents and employees – false and deceptive practices
from: Tenant
Fri 4/15/2016
To:George Cerda
Cc:Charles Floyd
LA County Prosecutor:
Below are three ads that appear on the internet.
* I have given you adequate information to proceed with criminal charges against this owner for penal code fraudulent omission and violation civil code 1940.4 re posting of flyers and the owner engagement of other tenants to violate right under civil code 1940.4, i.e. the taking of rent monies after criminal fraud.
* The ads by management Williams Realty Advisors to prospective tenants fail to mention that the intercom system does not work and under the state Health and Safety code this makes the building uninhabitable and unsanitary.
* City inspector(s) have indicated there was a lack of asbestos abatement in the building.
* The ads by Williams Realty Advisors are bait and switch.
* The ads mention “tandem parking” but fail to mention that the parking stalls are under investigation for arbitrary discrimination .
* The ad says the building is a multi-family home. That is false. The building is an 18 unit apartment building. Bait and switch.
* Please add Williams Realty Advisors to all requests for criminal complaints.
“This rental property located at 1522 Hi Point Street, Los Angeles, CA is currently for rent and has been listed on Trulia for More than 30 days . This property is managed by Rance for $1,675. 1522 Hi Point Street, Los Angeles, CA has 1 bed, 1 bath . 1522 Hi Point Street, Los Angeles, CA is in the Mid City neighborhood in Los Angeles and in 90035 zip code. The rental price of the 1 bedroom, $1,675, is 11% lower than the average rental price of $1,890 for neighborhood Mid City. ” 1522 Hi Point Street, Los Angeles, CA | Trulia
Apartment for Rent: 1522 Hi Point St -BEAUTIFULLY Renovated 1 Bed W/HW Floors, DW, Utilities Included, ALL MODERN! | Powered by vFlyer Contact Us .
All rights reserved.
[Tenant name and phone redacted]
Trulia ad false and deceptive practices
Real Estate Agent Rance who refuses to respond to inquiry
Williams Real Estate Advisors Santa Monica
c: WelcomeHome@williamsREA.com; City attorney Mike Feuer; State bar of California
[Editor Notes: 1. George Cerda works in the office of District Attorney Los Angeles County Jackie Lacey. 2. Fraud is defined as “fraud occurs when someone gains something of value, usually money or property, from a victim by knowingly making a misrepresentation of a matter of fact.” The owner Walter Barratt et al has gained rent money from the tenants at this property by misrepresenting in the house rules that tenants do not have the right to display and post flyers. Penal code “484. (a) Every person who shall feloniously steal, take, carry, lead, or drive away the personal property of another, or who shall fraudulently appropriate property which has been entrusted to him or her, or who shall knowingly and designedly, by any false or fraudulent representation or pretense, defraud any other person of money, labor or real or personal property, or who causes or procures others to report falsely of his or her wealth or mercantile character and by thus imposing upon any person, obtains credit and thereby fraudulently gets or obtains possession of money, or property or obtains the labor or service of another, is guilty of theft.” Prospective tenants are not being told by Rance at Williams Realty Advisors that they will have to sign a lease agreement that proposes that they give up their right to post flyers under civil code 1940.4 and that they engage in a criminal conspiracy to deprive other tenants of their rights under civil code 1940.4. 3. The non-working intercom exposes tenants to the risk of injury. Complaints to the city and country code enforcement and rent control have not resulted in the intercoms being fixed nor have select tenants been granted a rent reduction as required under local law. This is the risk of injury that prospective tenants will be exposed to. 4. Restrictive covenant. Illegal covenant to tell tenants they do not have the right to post flyers under civil code 1940.4. Misrepresentation and fraudulent omission of a material fact. 5. If you move into this property, history has shown that particularly for Blacks, the city and county government officials will not uphold your rights to fair housing. If you are white and become a tenant, you may be exposed to the risk of injury due to Black tenants being denied fair housing. if you a white, will you be comfortable renting from owners accused of racism?]
Update April 13 2016
DFEH Discrimination Complaint Filed
On April 11, 2016 the California Department of Fair Employment filed formal charges of race, and age discrimination against Hi Point Apts LLC regarding the 1522 Hi Point St 90035 Faircrest Heights property. Also generally mentioned in the complaint is the Los Angeles city code enforcement and the Los Angeles County Public Health department. The charges are denial of equal terms and conditions after numerous Black tenants were denied a working intercom but whites had the free use of intercoms. LAHCID employees Barbara Brascia, Richard Brinson, and numerous other city and county employees have refused to answer questions about the property. The tandem parking stall practice at the property has also been complained of by tenants as discriminatory.
Updated April 9 2016
Why Blacks Will Never Get Fair Housing in Los Angeles
Re: Los Angeles Code Enforcement, LADBS Enforcement, Los Angeles County Public Health Mandatory Duties Authority Under State Health and Safety Code
from: Tenant #9 [redacted email]
Sat 4/9/2016 10:53 PM
To:Richard Brinson
Cc:Charles Floyd
To whom it may concern:
This email is sent to Los Angeles Code enforcement because they have jurisdiction over multi-family dwellings in Los Angeles; to rent control since this is a rent control building; LADBS because they issue the permits and CFO for the building; and to the County Los Angeles Public Health because they have jurisdiction over the building under the codes mentioned herein.
I apologize if I have written this to the incorrect person but since I am not getting adequate response from the people who are supposed to respond, then I am justifiably taking a blanket approach. I am emailing as many LADBS or code enforcement because I believe both LADBS and HCID code enforcement have jurisdiction over this 1522 Hi Point St 90035 building. I am certain that some of the people I have contacted may be inexperienced but most employees have been at this code enforcement thing for years.
I recall months ago that I had questioned the hours of primary renovation at this rent control building. The internet as well as numerous government officials told me that the hours were M-Saturday, from 7:00 am to 9 p.m. That was also the hours that the owner and his maintenance crew were following as witnessed by numerous tenants [a fact property owner agent Cliff Renfrew would repeatedly deny]. I protested those hours because I didn’t believe there was any law that said that, and I also did not believe that any legislator would want tenants existing next door to renovations in the same building to be subjected to such construction. People referred me to LAMC 41.40 which they claimed was a construction ordinance. Well dummy me finally read the ordinance and I discovered it was not a “construction” ordinance but instead a “noise” ordinance; wow, a lot of people were down right misinterpreting the ordinance. A lot of bull, huh? Finally one city employee out of many agreed with me that the hours of primary renovation in this rent control building are Mon – Friday 8:00 am to 5:30 pm (sic).
The local LAMC concerning housing services defines housing services as those services in place for the use of the tenant and those services include maintenance, or lack thereof. If the city has no jurisdiction over wiring as John maintains, then they would also not have jurisdiction over maintenance. But of course that is not what the law says and even implies. A recent city capital improvement order stated that select tenants had to pay a $17.08 rent increase for one part door entry intercom system; so I am paying a rent increase for an intercom service I do not have the use of and does not work. It is clear in city regulations that the services must be working in order for the tenant to have to keep paying for them. Since there is one master meter for all apartments, I am basically paying for the electricity for other tenant’s intercoms that are working, while mine is not maintained.
Under these circumstances, I wonder why the county health department Alan Chen said the county does not have jurisdiction to enforce the health and safety code sections stated herein.
March 16 2016 I briefly talked with employees Lateesha (sic) and John of the Los Angeles code enforcement and jurisdiction over multi-family dwellings. March 16, 2016 phone conversation about 11:15 am. Lateesha and John said that the department does not have jurisdiction over intercom wiring and low voltage wiring. I disagreed and asked them to site the part of the Health and Safety code or any other regulation that states what Lateesha and John said. Obviously, Lateesha and John and others they are aligned with are incorrect. The responses of Lateesha and John are fabricated and not supported by existing law and are meant to mislead and cause injury to other tenants and myself.
Civil Code 1941.4. [telephone jack wiring low voltage.]
City employee Lateesha and John, and Richard Brinson, falsely represented that the city HCID does not have jurisdiction to inspect low voltage intercom wiring. Those statements are not true.
I am certain the city government code enforcement knows it has jurisdiction over the proper maintenance of the building master electrical meter, which would include all wiring that feeds to it which would include the intercoms, and jurisdiction over the electrical permits for the building.
If any of you lived here, I am sure you would want a working intercom for the rent that you pay. I am not from another planet, so I don’t know why you would think I would want anything differently that what a reasonable person would want for purposes of “health and safety” (security).
John said that the code enforcement does not have authority over low voltage wiring such as the intercom; I asked him to supply the state law, local law, or other regulation that authorizes that. I’d appreciate a response from anyone who knows the answer.
“GC 17960. The building department of every city or county shall enforce within its jurisdiction all the provisions published in the State Building Standards Code, the provisions of this part, and the other rules and regulations promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this part pertaining to the erection, construction, reconstruction, movement, enlargement, conversion, alteration, repair, removal, demolition, or arrangement of apartment houses, hotels, or dwellings.”
“GC 17961. (a) The housing or building department or, if there is no building department acting pursuant to this section, the health department of every city, county, or city and county, or any environmental agency authorized pursuant to Section 101275, shall enforce within its jurisdiction all of this part, the building standards published in the State Building Standards Code, and the other rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this part pertaining to the maintenance, sanitation, ventilation, use, or occupancy of apartment houses, hotels, or dwellings. The health department or the environmental agency may, in conjunction with a local housing or building department acting pursuant to this section, enforce within its jurisdiction all of this part, the building standards published in the State Building Standards Code, and the other rules and regulations adopted pursuant to this part pertaining to the maintenance, sanitation, ventilation, use, or occupancy of apartment houses, hotels, or dwellings. Each department and agency, as applicable, shall coordinate enforcement activities with each other and interested departments and agencies in order to avoid unnecessary duplication.”
I would appreciate a response from all in writing. If anyone wants to say that their department, other than rent control, has no jurisdiction over the state Health and Safety code, California Electrical code, and state Buildings Standards Codes, please state that.
from: Tenant #9
Updated April 8 2016
Calls out- Discrimination by Property Owner and Conspiracy Against Rights and Sanctioned by Government Officials and Employees; City Continues to Deny Black Tenant Fair Housing
From: Tenant #9
Fri 4/8/2016 11:03 AM Inbox
To:RSO Contact
Cc:Charles Floyd
To whom it may concern:
The two African American tenants at this address still remain without a working intercom [ as well as three other tenants]. We also have not received the required rent rebates and rent reductions for the payment of illegal rents. We have still not received an application for a tandem parking stall, nor have we received a tandem parking stall, nor have we received the required rent reduction and rent rebate for loss of parking stall over the applicable time period. The city code enforcement and the county public health have jurisdiction over the inspection of the intercom under the state Health and Safety code, California Building standards, and the California Electrical code. I have made myself available for the inspection of the intercom, and have made reasonable alternatives available to the city and county employees for the inspection of the intercom, and have incurred damages because the intercom has not been inspected, repaired, or replaced. I have incurred damages due to the discrimination by the owner and his agents; my quiet enjoyment of the premises has been repeatedly violated for one example because the owner and his agents refuse to respond to my complaints. I am a senior citizen. There is a controversy here that undoubtedly can only be resolved on the court level as the city and county employees have gone on record and said that the city and county code and health inspectors DO NOT have jurisdiction under the state Health and Safety code, State Building Standards, and California Electrical Code.
I remind you that White tenants have unfettered use of the services, privileges and advantages of a working intercom and tandem parking stalls, while the Black tenants in apt 9 are denied such services, privileges, and advantages.
The following people and government employees below have been sent the announcement below:
Armida Flores, Richard Janson, Walter Barratt, Lauren Lastrapes for Congressperson Karen Bass, Barbara Brascia, Richard Brinson, Richard Carlos, Cliff Renfrew, C. Palaez, Udo Nwachuko, Ali Mozannar, Michael at LADBS, Joe at LADBS, Edward at LADBS, David at LADBS, Charles garcia, Lateesha at LAHCID, R. Jacksn, David James, D. Burkhead, Alan Chen at Los Angeles County Public Health, Mike Feuer city attorney.
[Text of announcement sent:]
“This message is being sent out April 8 2016 to April 15 2016. This call is to Barbara Brascia at LAHCID and to whom it may concern from the tenant #9 at 1522 Hi Point St 90035. Barbara said there is a fee to park in the extra tandem stall at Hi Point Apts. What is the fee? What is the federal, state, or local law that allows you to charge a fee?
I filed a complaint based on notice to evict based on false or deceptive grounds. What is your response to that?As a Black American, why am I denied advantages and privileges the same as white tenants at 1522 Hi Point St 90035? Does Rent Adjustment regulations 411.01 and 411.02 apply to me as a Black American? My intercom and that of four other tenants is still not working. Where is the application to apply for an intercom and to apply for a tandem parking stall? What jurisdiction do you feel you have to violate the Ku Klux Klan Act? Please respond in writing by first class mail. This is the tenant at 1522 Hi Point St #9 and this message may repeat itself until the issues are resolved. “
from: tenant #9
Ham-Jew-DNA-Kushite/Black
c: George Cerda, office Los Angeles County District Attorney,via email Congressperson Karen Bass via email
Resident Manager Cynthia Ogan, via email
Mayor Eric Garcetti via email above
As seen on Facebook April 10 2016
LOS ANGELES CODE ENFORCEMENT AND RENT CONTROL. This is the case where the city rent control says that if a housing service is reduced or not maintained, the city “will” order a rent reduction. The city regulations define housing service as those services for the use of the tenant. After having a parking stall removed, and facing a non-working intercom system, the city government and county government [for the intercom, not the parking stall], have refused to inspect the intercom and refused to grant the required rent reductions to Black tenants for the loss of intercom and parking stall. Generally speaking. As for the lack of code enforcement inspection, these are what some of the statutes say, “Health and safety code section 17920.3 “Any building or portion thereof…”; “(a) Inadequate sanitation shall include but not be limited to the following” “(a)(14) general dilapidation or improper maintenance”; “(c) Any nuisance.” “(d) All wiring, except that which conformed with all applicable laws in effect at the time of installation if it is currently in good and safe condition and working properly.” “(i) All materials of construction, except those that are specifically allowed or approved by this code, and that have been adequately maintained in good and safe condition.”
“Nuisance defined Civil Code 3479. Anything which is injurious to health, including, but not limited to….” Civil Code 1941.4. [telephone jack wiring low voltage.]. ” Notice the sections that say “including but not limited to” which to me means they have authority and jurisdiction over everything including the intercom. So if not for racism and retaliation, it does not seem the city and county have jurisdiction to deny fair housing to Black tenants.
March 16 2016 call to Los Angeles Code Enforcement in which they admit a widespread practice to deny fair housing to Black tenants. “As long as I pay my rent, and as long as the intercom system is there, I am going to put in a complaint if it is not working.”
Click here to see the transcript of the phone call. Commission of a crime by city officials.
Updated April 5 2016
[redacted]
The RSD KKK Decision of March 24 2016- to BARBARA BRASCIA at 213-808-8888- Damages and Injury to me Continue- Revised
From: [Tenant #9]
Tue 4/5/2016 10:16 PM Inbox
To:RSO Contact
Cc:councilmember.wesson@lacity.org
“I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated. I was not going back.” Rosa Parks
LAMC SEC. 151.01. DECLARATION OF PURPOSE.
There is a shortage of decent, safe and sanitary housing in the City of Los Angeles resulting in a critically low vacancy factor. Tenants displaced as a result of their inability to pay increased rents must relocate but as a result of such housing shortage are unable to find decent, safe and sanitary housing at affordable rent levels. Aware of the difficulty in finding decent housing, some tenants attempt to pay requested rent increases, but as a consequence must expend less on other necessities of life. This situation has had a detrimental effect on substantial numbers of renters in the City, especially creating hardships on senior citizens, persons on fixed in- comes and low and moderate income households.
“…in these times of racial strife across this country of the United States, should any Black American be denied a housing service?” G. Johnson.
“The existence of such substandard buildings and dwelling units threatens the physical, social and economic stability of sound residential buildings and areas, and of their supporting neighborhood facilities and institutions; necessitates disproportionate expenditures of public funds for remedial action; impairs the efficient and economical exercise of governmental powers and functions; and destroys the amenity of residential areas and neighborhoods and of the community as a whole.” LAHCID website.
GC 12920:
“…discriminating…foments domestic strife and unrest” . “It is hereby declared as the public policy of this state that it is necessary to protect and safeguard the right and opportunity of all persons to seek, obtain, and hold employment without discrimination or abridgment on account of race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, marital status, sex, age, or sexual orientation. ”
“12920.5. In order to eliminate discrimination, it is necessary to provide effective remedies that will both prevent and deter unlawful employment practices and redress the adverse effects of those practices on aggrieved persons. To that end, this part shall be deemed an exercise of the Legislature’s authority pursuant to Section 1 of Article XIV of the California Constitution. ”
Via Email and US Mail
Dear Los Angeles City Government and Housing and Community Investment Department and Rent Stabilization Division; Mayor Eric Garcetti, Gilbert Cedillo, Paul Krekorian, Bob Blumenfield, David E. Ryu, Paul Koretz, Nury Martinez, Felipe Fuentes, Marqueece Harris-Dawson, Curren D. Price, Jr., Herb J. Wesson, Jr., Mike Bonin, Mitchell Englander, Mitch O’Farrell, Jose Huizar, Joe Buscaino.
I disagree with your March 24 2016 letter regarding HCIDLA case CE214203. A copy of your letter is attached In the Public Interest. Your letter is not in compliance with applicable local, state, and federal law. Your letter is not acceptable as a resolution.
1. What are the qualifications for a tenant to be assigned an intercom/tandem parking stall?
2. Which tenants by apartment number do not qualify for an intercom/tandem parking stall?
3. Which tenants by apartment number had their rent reduced because their intercom is not working or parking reduced?
4. How much was the rent reduced for tenants who did not receive a working intercom or tandem parking stall?
5. Specify the fee for intercom/tandem parking at the 1522 Hi Point and detail by corresponding apartment number, i.e apartment unit and fee for intercom service.
6. Are there any other qualifications for having an intercom/tandem parking stall at 1522, i.e race, color, sex, source of income, etc.?
7. What is Cliff Renfrew’s employment title?
8. What employee is responsible for the assignment of intercoms/tandem stalls?
9. List any tenant(s) whose apartments do not have working intercoms/tandem stalls.
10. How is first come first served applied to the assignment of intercoms/tandem stalls?
11. What state government training/certi cation/license have you received to be hired as a resident manager?
12. Have you received sensitivity training on the civil rights laws that govern the rights of tenants?
13. List the race and nationality of all tenants who have a tandem parking stall and working intercom.
14. Detail the legal law or statute that authorizes the city to tell the property owner that he can charge a fee for tandem parking stalls?
15. Detail the legal authority you believe you have for instituting an illegal rent increase regarding the tandem parking stalls?
“Congress has passed several statutes prohibiting discrimination by those receiving federal funds. In 1964 Congress prohibited discrimination on the basis of race, religion or national origin in any “program or activity” receiving federal financial assistance. In Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, it prohibited discrimination on the basis of sex by any educational program or activity receiving federal funds. In 1988, the Supreme Court interpreted “program or activity” narrowly, so that if one department of a university received federal money only that department would be bound by the prohibition and not the whole university. Congress responded by amending the law to make clear that if any part of an organization received funds, the whole organization was bound.”
How often is the rent adjustment regulations and enforcement employees used to deny fair housing to citizens who are African American in Los Angeles?
I believe the real reasons for your letter of March 24 2016 is because of my race, Black, and in retaliation because I have opposed practices of the owner and the city employees that violate the provisions of the civil rights act of 1964, as amended.
Your letter fails to comply with RAC regulations 411.01 and 411.02.
Barbara Brascia, am I entitled to post flyers under civil code 1940.4? Am I entitled to a rent reduction for an improperly maintained intercom? Am I entitled to a rent reduction for a reduction in parking stalls? Barbara, the answers to questions are "yes". I think you should face termination from your job position because of your letter of March 24 2016.
I remind you that there are other white tenants in the building [I am Black] who have a working intercom and also have free usage of parking privileges that I am denied.
Your letter is evidence of the denial to me of the federal and state right to fair housing and fair housing benefits i.e. RAC regulations.
I believe I was told by the office of Congressperson Karen Bass that your department enforces violation of California civil code 1940.4 re posting of flyers yet there is no mention of this in your letter although you have no problem implying I breached the rental agreement. There is no proof by the owner or yourself that I breached the rental agreement. The house rules that you quote are an illegal unilateral change in terms of tenancy as well being voided by civil code 1940.4. I also have the right and duty to notify the owner of substandard conditions of which I continue to do and am allowed to do without the threat of housing retaliation.
No tenant can live safely in this building knowing of the racism of the owner and the denial of equal protection from city agencies who refuse to take reasonable steps to protect tenants from the risk of injury.
Do I have the right to contact the resident manager about uninhabitable conditions in the building, without retaliation from your department for doing so?
from: tenant
HCID previously stated “A landlord may opt to contract the “tandem” housing service as an additional housing service at a rate determined by the landlord.” [I responded] Other than for the purposes of racial discrimination and retaliation, by yourselves Garcetti, Cervantes, Topchian, Yeom, Barratt, Renfrew, London et al against me, please provide the local, state, or federal law, or regulatory law, that gives your statement legal authority? I have not seen that posted on your website or city ordinance nor did the owner state it in the house rules to all tenants. It appears you are without authority fabricating a rule that violates civil rights laws including the Unruh Act and the Ku Klux Klan Act.
Cervantes and Garcetti Employees Again Accused of Racial Discrimination
Discrimination by Property Owner and Conspiracy Against Rights and Sanctioned by Government Officials
and Employees; City Continues to Deny Black Tenants Fair Housing
Hi Point Apts 90035 is Substandard, Unsafe, and Unsanitary courtesy of HCIDLA rent stabilization department. The city government says it will not protect tenant rights at Hi Point Apts in this 18 unit building.
Updated February 15 2016
Sent to:
Lauren Lastrapes
Rep. Karen Bass
Councilmember Herb Wesson
Fair Housing Department of Justice
Los Angeles Rent Stabilization Division [RSO]
City employee Charles Garcia
City employee David Greene
Hi Point Apts LLC employee Walter Barratt
Hi Point Apts LLC employee Cliff Renfrew
Hi Point Apts LLC employee Lorrie Sakauchi
Office of Los Angeles County District Attorney
City employee Raymond Chan
Los Angeles County Public Health employee Alan Chen
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti
And numerous other city employees
[This is redacted from an email to various government officials dated Feb 15 2016.]
Online Shopping Deals at Amazon
Re The letter from the Office of Congressperson Bass re The Intercom Remains Un repaired and Violation California Civil Code 1940.4 violation
From: [tenant name redacted]
Mon 2/15/2016 10:30 PM
To:Lauren.Lastrapes@mail.house.gov
Cc:Rep. Karen Bass <113-ca37kb.inbox@mail.house.gov>; Rep. Karen Bass
The Safety of Whites is at Risk
To Whom It May Concern:
Below I copy and paste a correct and true copy of the email I received from the office of Congressperson Bass. The email was in response to one of my emails requesting that the Congressperson write a letter in support of tenant rights under California Civil Code 1940.4.
Subject: California Civil Code 1940.4 violation
From: Lastrapes, Lauren (Lauren.Lastrapes@mail.house.gov)
To: [tenant name redacted]
Date: Friday, January 29, 2016 4:19 PM
Dear [tenant name redacted],
I hope this email finds you well. The Office of Congressmember Karen Bass wanted to reach out to you to address the concerns you expressed on our social media site.
You shared with our office that your property owner was in violation of California Civil Code 1940.4. Unfortunately, this issues falls outside the jurisdiction of Congress. However, we reached out to the Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department and were informed that their department can help constituents who are experiencing property owner violations involving posting or displaying political signs.
“Institutionalized Intractable Racism re Hi Point Apts LLC”
To address this issue or report a code violation you can contact the Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department. Their contact information is as follows:
Los Angeles Housing + Community Investment Department Address: 1200 W 7th St #100, Los Angeles, CA 90017 Phone: (213) 275-3493
Thank you again for reaching out to us. I hope that this information was helpful in addressing your concerns.
Warmest Regards,
Lauren Lastrapes
MSW Fellow
Office of Congressmember Karen Bass
4929 Wilshire Boulevard, suite 650 Los Angeles, CA 90010 Phone: 323-965-1422
Lauren.Lastrapes@mail.house.gov
[Tenant]Response:
I remember the days in the sixties when in the South at the direction of local and state governments, racial discrimination and torture and lynchings was common practice. These crimes occurred many times at the direction and approval of government officials. I am sure the Congressperson and her staff is too young to remember those days. But if you study history you will see that a number of times the federal government was called upon to help enforce the civil rights of Blacks, particularly when I believe Governor George Wallace stood in the schoolhouse door blocking school children from entering. Alabama.
From an internet article: “When Wallace refused to budge, President John F. Kennedy called for 100 troops from the Alabama National Guard to assist federal officials. Wallace chose to step down rather than incite violence.” http://www.usnews.com/news/blogs/press-past/2013/06/11/george-wallace- stood-in-a-doorway-at-the-university-of-alabama-50-years-ago-today
The situation at Hi Point Apts 90035 is not much different than the Alabama of 1963. There are a few differences: this is an apartment building supposedly under the jurisdiction of federal and state housing laws, rather than a school building; this case is about housing services, not education; it is not one White person standing in the doorway but many government officials of the code enforcement, LAHCID, Mayor Eric Garccetti’s office, the property owner. And the whites standing in the way in this case are not all in plain view. And while I as a Black American have made it to the inside of the building, thanks in part to a previous Black manager, the current white plantation owner et al nonetheless stands in the doorway blocking me from housing services of intercom and tandem parking stall, blocking me from rent reductions, and blocking me from rights under California Civil Code 1940.4, perhaps even a violation of the spirit of the 1964 Voting Rights Act. Yes, Lauren Lastrapes, the voting rights act and the right to post flyers on doors and windows originates from Federal Law.
“When Wallace refused to budge, President John F. Kennedy called for 100 troops from the Alabama National Guard to assist federal officials. Wallace chose to step down rather than incite violence.”
1. I wonder does the Congressperson Bass have an opinion on tenant rights under California Civil Code 1940.4? I was certain that Congressperson Bass would have an opinion since the law effects the rights of the very people who voted her into office, rightfully assuming Congressperson Bass was elected by the People, and not by some other means.
2. A local code enforcement complaint was filed around Feb 4 2016, city case number 562623, yet still the city government Whites inspectors have not cited the owner to repair at least four non- working intercoms. As I have asked before, how many White inspectors does it take to come to the property and inspect an intercom? There is no Jesus or Satan at the door of the 18 unit building blocking the entry of the owner and preventing the inspectors from entering the building and apartments with the owner and resident manager. It has been over 2110 days since this owner was made aware of the intercom (and tandem parking stall) housing service and need of repairs at Hi Point Apts. In all common sense, does it take 2110 days for a White person to inspect and repair an intercom?
3. I have been in touch with Letitia as of February 10 2016 of the LAHCID regarding an RSO complaint re the 1940.4 violation as well as the intercom and parking stalls and rent reductions. City case number CE 214 2013. Playing phone tag. I have asked HCID to set up a phone appointment.
4. Lauren says on behalf of Congressperson Bass: “I hope this email finds you well”. I wonder would you feel “well” if you were denied housing services for over 2110 days?
5. 45 USC section 2000d governs federal monies to state and local agencies.
6. The Civil Rights Act of 1968, (Pub.L. 90–284 (http://legislink.org/us/pl-90-284), 82 Stat. 73 (http://legislink.org/us/stat-82-73), enacted April 11, 1968) is a landmark part of legislation in the United States that provided for equal housing opportunities regardless of race, creed, or national origin and made. Civil Rights Act of 1968
“Under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, all persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments, including both private and public entities.”
7. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 is a landmark piece of federal legislation in the United States that prohibits racial discrimination in voting.[7][8] It was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement on August 6, 1965, and Congress later amended the Act five times to expand its protections.[7] Designed to enforce the voting rights guaranteed by the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, the Act resulted in the mass enfranchisement of racial minorities throughout the country, especially in the South. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the Act is considered to be the most effective piece of civil rights legislation ever enacted in the country. Voting Rights Act of 1965 – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Voting Rights Act of 1965
8. Supplemental jurisdiction is the authority of United States federal courts to hear additional claims substantially related to the original claim even though the court would lack the subject-matter jurisdiction to hear the additional claims independently. 28 U.S.C. § 1367 is a codification of the Supreme Court’s rulings on ancillary jurisdiction (Owen Equipment & Erection Co. v. Kroger, 437 U.S. 365 (1978)) and pendent jurisdiction (United Mine Workers of America v. Gibbs, 383 U.S. 715 (1966)) and a superseding of the Court’s treatment of pendent party jurisdiction (Finley v. United States, 490 U.S. 545 (1989). Supplemental jurisdiction
“If not for racism and retaliation, what is your reason Alan Chen et al for not ordering the intercom(s) to be repaired?”
9. Fair Housing Act
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), as amended, prohibits discrimination in the sale, rental, and financing of dwellings, and in other housing-related transactions, based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex, familial status (including children under the age of 18 living with parents or legal custodians, pregnant women, and people securing custody of children under the age of 18), and disability. Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders – HUD. Fair Housing and Presidential Executive Order
10. Jurisdiction of the Federal Courts . The jurisdiction of the federal courts has been defined by the Constitution, congressional statutes, and decisions of the Supreme Court of the United States. Article III provides that the judicial power “shall extend” to nine types of “cases” and “controversies”: all cases in law and equity arising under the Constitution, laws, and treaties of the United States; all cases affecting ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls; all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction; controversies to which the United States is a party; controversies between two or more states; controversies between a state and citizens of another state; controversies between citizens of different states; controversies between citizens of the same state claiming lands under grants of different states; and controversies between a state or its citizens and foreign states, citizens, or subjects. The Constitution grants the Supreme Court original jurisdiction over cases affecting ambassadors and public ministers and cases in which a state is a party, leaving the remainder of cases within the judicial power to the Court’s appellate jurisdiction, with “such exceptions, and under such regulations as the Congress shall make.” http://www.fjc.gov/history/home.nsf/page/jurisdiction_intro.html
11. The Supremacy Clause of the United States Constitution (Article VI, Clause 2) establishes that the Constitution, federal laws made pursuant to it and treaties made under its authority, constitute the supreme law of the land.[1] It provides that state courts are bound by the supreme law; in case of conflict between federal and state law, the federal law must be applied. Even state constitutions are subordinate to federal law.[2] The federal government possesses only the supreme authority accorded it by the Constitution. However, the scope of this authority is very broad, as the federal government is tasked with providing for the general welfare of the United States. Supremacy Clause
“I am prepared to wait for my answer until hell freezes over, if that’s your decision.” Adlai Stevenson
“Have you no sense of decency sir, at long last? Have you left no sense of decency?” Joseph N. Welch
“Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense.” Winston Churchill
“A picture in a book, a lynching.”
“Our country’s national crime is lynching. It is not the creature of an hour, the sudden outburst of uncontrolled fury, or the unspeakable brutality of an insane mob.” Ida B. Wells
“A picture in a book, a lynching. The bland faces of men who watch a Christ go up in flames, smiling, as if he were a hooked fish, a felled antelope, some wild thing tied to boards and burned. His charred body gives off light–a halo burns out of him. His face is scorched featureless; the hair matted to the scalp like feathers. One man stands with his hand on his hip, another with his arm slung over the shoulder of a friend, as if this moment were large enough to hold affection.” ― Toi Derricotte
“Some people were crying. You could hear people say, ‘Oh, God’ and some ‘d–n…’ You had the worst feeling in the world. You just felt like you were not counted, out of existence. But I tell you, I just felt like there could have been some way so they couldn’t see me so I could kill some of them. I just felt like going out to kill every white person I saw in the world.” – A white moviegoer recalls his experience viewing D.W. Griffith’s film,The Birth of a Nation, c. 1915
“I thought about Emmett Till, and I could not go back. My legs and feet were not hurting, that is a stereotype. I paid the same fare as others, and I felt violated. I was not going back.” Rosa Parks
“The question shouldn’t be “Why are you, a Christian, here in a death camp, condemned for trying to save Jews?’ The real question is “Why aren’t all the Christians here?”
― Joel C. Rosenberg, The Auschwitz Escape
Again I appreciate the Congressperson’s referral to the LAHCID, itself under investigation for racial discrimination. What I would like to know is can the Congressperson write a letter in support of tenant and voter rights under state law California Civil Code 1940.4?
All rights reserved.
[Tenant name redacted]
Ham-Kushite-DNA-Black
1522 Hi Point St
Los Angeles CA 90035
The Safety of Whites is at Risk
reference: Pre-discovery; December 17 2015 email to Alan Chen et al; January 25 2016 email to Alan Chen et al; February 2 2016 email to Alan Chen et al.
The Unruh Act
“Under the Unruh Civil Rights Act, all persons are entitled to full and equal accommodations, advantages, facilities, privileges, or services in all business establishments, including both private and public entities. The Unruh Civil Rights Act protects all persons against arbitrary and unreasonable discrimination by a business establishment (Civil Code section 51).”
Mr. Green and Mr. Chen et al: I ask: if the Public included your Mother, and she wanted to become a tenant, or became a tenant and lived here at 1522 Hi Point St, would you also deny her a working intercom?
“If not for racism and retaliation, what is your reason Alan Chen et al for not ordering the intercom(s) to be repaired?”
Institutionalized Intractable Racism re Hi Point Apts LLC
[This is redacted from an email to various government officials dated Feb 15 2016. The bold subheadings in blue are added for emphasis and do not appear in the original email.]
Click for Youtube Video on Hi Point Apts
Filed May 11, 2016. Johnson v. City of Los Angeles, et al. For more information on the lawsuit, click link below: