A resident of San Francisco is suing the City and County of San Francisco and Community Housing Partnership (Homerise) for alleged racial discrimination, threats of violence, and civil rights violations. Zaire Hill filed the complaint in the Superior Court of California, County of San Francisco on August 16, 2024.
Hill, who resides at the Arnett Watson Apartments under the Local Operating Subsidy Program (LOSP), claims he has been repeatedly denied entry to his apartment by front desk security staff Jess Detrinidad. Hill alleges that Detrinidad threatened him with violence on multiple occasions due to his race. In one instance on August 14, 2024, Hill states that Detrinidad approached him in a fighting stance and said she would hit him with a glass candle holder and a baseball bat if he tried to enter the building again. Hill asserts that these threats have caused him significant emotional distress and fear for his safety.
The complaint details how Hill was refused entry while non-resident Latino and white males were allowed into the building without question. This selective enforcement led Hill to believe that he was being targeted because of his race. He further claims that this treatment has persisted for three months, exacerbating his emotional distress.
Hill's legal action includes multiple causes of action such as violation of civil rights under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, assault, threats of violence under the Ralph Act, intentional infliction of emotional distress, negligence, breach of contract, defamation, and violation of equal protection under 42 U.S.C. Section 1983. He seeks compensatory damages amounting to $2 million for emotional distress and out-of-pocket expenses totaling $150,000. Additionally, he demands statutory damages worth $3 million.
The plaintiff is represented by Carneice Hall-Johnson from HCOPP L.L.C., while no specific attorneys for the defendants are mentioned in the document. The case is presided over by Judge James Foronda with Case ID C6C-24-61729.