Firestorm ignited over Black and Latino tenants denied accessible intercom connections by Los Angeles city employees

Community Watch Los Angeles Newsletter – Special Edition June- July 2026. (Excerpt).


Does the owner feel that all Black tenants should act alike? 

Response: It does appear that way based on the testimony of Thomas Khammar and written documents of Benjamin Renkainen. For example, Khammar said that if other tenants use their cell phone to substitute for housing services, Blacks should do the same. Raikenen said that if one Black uses their cell phone, then all Blacks should use their cell phone, etc. Some view this as racial bias. “Yes, expecting all Black people to act alike is a form of racial stereotyping. This expectation relies on broad, oversimplified generalizations rather than recognizing individuals for their unique personalities, backgrounds, and lived experiences.” (Source: Google AI.) Owner Benjamin Renkainen claimed in court papers 12/22/2025 that “the Building’s intercom is functioning properly” even though he knew that the units of select Black tenants did not have an intercom interface or monitor, as required by city building codes.

SAFETY CONCERNS

Residents have also expressed concern that the property and adjacent developments are located in an area identified as sitting on methane gas tables.

Has a Black tenant requested reasonable accommodations at the 1522 Hi Point St address?

Editor: Yes.

Were those requests provided, and if not, why?
Response: The tenant requests have been refused for an accessible parking stall, accessible unit wheelchair level door viewer peephole, and accessible unit intercom interface/monitor.

What is the owner’s reason for denying the housing services? Response: The owner alleged that he cannot afford the services because it would be a financial burden. Note that the owner of this property, a millionaire, grosses about $37,000 per month in rents, and out of that $37,000, about $12,000 pays for property taxes. The owner refused to explain why he feels that he doesn’t have the money to pay for the services being that such repairs are supposed to be part of the rent amounts paid.