Niya Bunch v. Victor Valley Domestic Violence, Inc.

BACKGROUND

In October 2019, Niya Bunch (“Plaintiff”) filed suit against Victor Valley Domestic Violence, Inc. (“Better Way”), under Title II of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Fair Housing Act. See Dkt. 1 (“Complaint”) at 1. The Court granted Plaintiff leave to proceed in forma pauperis. See Dkt. 5. Plaintiff alleges that she left Colorado with her two daughters to escape a “domestic violence situation” and was staying at Better Way. See Complaint at 19. On October 22, 2017, Coby Ward—who appears to work at Better Way—confiscated Plaintiff’s tarot cards, stating that “some people think they are demonic.” Id. at 2. Plaintiff alleges that other Better Way residents were allowed to keep their Bibles. See id. at 4. During her stay at Better Way, Plaintiff wished to maintain her eligibility for Section 8 housing by conducting daily phone and internet searches for apartments. See id. at 19. In retaliation for Plaintiffs religious beliefs, Ward would not allow Plaintiff to use the telephone past 5 p.m., indirectly affecting Plaintiff's eligibility for Section 8 housing. See id. at 4-5. On October 24, 2017, Plaintiff chose to leave Better Way because her “72 hour hold” had…