Residents at several Greystar-managed properties in Long Beach, including Channel Point Apartments near California State University, Long Beach (CSULB), have raised serious concerns about what they describe as a pattern of eviction practices that disproportionately impact African-American tenants while simultaneously making more units available to incoming CSULB students.

Although no court has yet ruled that Greystar engages in racially discriminatory eviction practices, multiple residents have filed complaints, declarations, and civil rights reports alleging that African-American renters experienced:

• Unwarranted lease violations
• Accelerated eviction filings
• Retaliation after reporting harassment or discrimination
• Differential enforcement of property rules
• Pressure to relocate or vacate

At the same time, residents report an increasing presence of CSULB students at the property and note that Channel Point Apartments is marketed as an off-campus housing location for the university. This combination of housing turnover and the influx of student renters has intensified concerns about potential disparities in how tenants are treated.

Resident Experiences and Allegations

Multiple African-American residents at Channel Point have reported the following:

1. Rapid or Unexplained Eviction Notices

Several individuals claim they were served eviction warnings shortly after raising complaints about:

• Harassment
• Racially discriminatory treatment
• Accessibility issues
• Safety concerns

In some cases, residents say these notices were issued without prior warnings, while similar issues involving non-Black tenants were allegedly handled with leniency or informal resolutions.

2. Perceived Efforts to Turn Over Units for CSULB Students

Residents report that the number of CSULB students living at Channel Point has increased dramatically over the past several years. Some tenants allege that African-American renters were pushed out or discouraged from renewing leases at the same time student demand was rising.

Although there is no official confirmation that student housing demand influenced eviction actions, residents say the timing raises questions about whether certain tenants were targeted in order to free up units for the more profitable, high-turnover student rental market.

3. A Pattern of Complaints Submitted to the California Civil Rights Department

Several African-American residents, including those with disabilities, have filed complaints with the California Civil Rights Department (CRD) alleging:

• Retaliation
• Discrimination
• Harassment
• Unequal enforcement of rules

The CRD has accepted multiple cases for investigation, indicating that state authorities found reasonable grounds to review the allegations further.

4. Reports of Racially Unequal Treatment in Daily Interactions

Residents describe incidents involving:

• Being instructed to use back or side entrances
• Being confronted by staff or staff-affiliated individuals
• Being recorded or followed on the property
• Lack of response to maintenance or safety concerns

Many residents argue that these behaviors created a hostile living environment and contributed to fear of retaliatory eviction.

Connection to CSULB and Conflict-of-Interest Concerns

Channel Point’s close relationship with CSULB has been a significant point of discussion.

According to CSULB publications, Channel Point is listed as an off-campus housing resource for students. At the same time, the property manager, Kathy Scheiwe, is married to Brent Scheiwe, a CSULB Science Lab Supervisor.

Residents have expressed concern that:

• A CSULB employee was involved in a tenant confrontation, despite having no role in property management.
• A university-affiliated household holds authority over non-student tenants.
• CSULB benefits indirectly from increased unit availability when long-term residents are removed.

These concerns have prompted some residents to request independent oversight, transparency from CSULB, and a review of the property’s student-housing partnership.

Legal and Ethical Implications

Under the Fair Housing Act, FEHA, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964, it is illegal to:

• Evict tenants based on race
• Use discriminatory enforcement of lease rules
• Retaliate against tenants for reporting harassment
• Allow third parties, including family members of staff, to intimidate residents

Even the appearance of unequal treatment can raise legal and ethical red flags for both the property management company and public institutions connected to it.

Conclusion

While no official finding has yet determined that Greystar engages in wrongful or racially discriminatory eviction practices, the volume of resident complaints, the racial patterns reported, and the connection to CSULB student housing have raised serious questions in the community.

Residents are calling for:

• Independent investigation
• Stronger civil rights enforcement
• A review of the property’s relationship with CSULB
• Protections for long-term and vulnerable tenants
• Transparent, non-retaliatory management practices

Greystar Property Manager Hires Security Guard to Ensure African-American Resident Use Side and Back Doors to Property Building and Pool – 3/10/2025

The dispute highlights broader concerns about affordable housing, university expansion, and the treatment of African-American residents in corporate-managed apartment communities across the country.