Tenants and Advocates Call for Action Against Landlord Daniel Ohebshalom as Court Weighs Arrest Warrant 

Tenants, Elected Officials, and Community Groups Held Press Conference Before Crucial Court Hearing, Calling on NYC’s Housing & Preservation Development (HPD) to Take Control of Building as Ohebshalom Fails to Deliver Court-Ordered Repairs

Tenants from 705 and 709 West 170th Street gathered outside 111 Centre Street today to demand urgent action against their landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom. Ohebshalom, deemed the city’s “worst landlord” by the Public Advocate’s office, faces potential re-imprisonment for ongoing contempt of court. Despite serving a previous 60-day jail sentence, Ohebshalom has refused to address severe housing code violations, leaving residents in dangerous living conditions that have negatively impacted their health, safety, and overall wellbeing. 

Tenants were joined by elected officials such as Councilmember Carmen De La Rosa, and State Senator Robert Jackson, as well as tenant advocates and organizers from Shalom Coalition, Legal Services NYC and Met Council of Housing.  

Photos of the press conference are available for press to use with attribution to Legal Services NYC/Met Council at https://bit.ly/aug5photos-ohebshalom. 

“After one arrest warrant, we return awaiting the second knowing that Ohebshalom’s tenants suffered years of neglect in deplorable conditions and are due a semblance of victory. Ohebshalom is an example far too common of a landlord warehousing, harassing, and price-gouging while ignoring repairs and maintenance that puts our tenants at risk for their safety and health,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa. “Through investments in the Community Land Act, COPA, TOPA, and our Homes Now, Homes for Generations budget wins, we are empowering tenants to take ownership of their homes and investing in community-centered housing that creates pathways to homeownership and stable, dignified housing. When we fight, we win, and we will continue fighting to bring justice for tenants who have dealt with unscrupulous landlords for far too long.” 

Tenants and advocates are calling on Ohebshalom to immediately turn over the buildings to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) with the goal of transferring ownership to MHANY Management, a mutual housing nonprofit developer, and supporting the conversion of units to owner-occupied co-ops, providing a path to homeownership for current tenants. 

“The last four years have been a constant fight and struggle for us [tenants] at 709 West.,” said Bianca L. “We have been through dangerous situations like no heat or hot water for almost two weeks in the coldest winters. Another time, the boiler was spewing black fumes and making the building smell like burnt gasoline in the middle of the night. The lack of maintenance and negligence of the landlord Ohebshalom has been astounding. He needs to be held accountable. We, as tenants, deserve better living conditions. We aren’t asking for any luxury– just respectable living conditions.” 

“Two years ago, the courageous residents of 705-709 West 170th Street began their relentless quest for safe, dignified living conditions. Faced with Daniel Ohebshalom’s ongoing disregard, we now step forward on the path to justice, seeking not just answers, but substantial change. Today, we unite, urging NYC for prompt action and accountability against Ohebshalom,” declared State Senator Robert Jackson. “This critical moment reaffirms our commitment to holding delinquent landlords to account. We stand with the tenants in their pursuit of empowerment and transformative ownership. They deserve better, and we will not rest until justice prevails and their homes are made safe.” 

“The tenants of these buildings have suffered for far too long under neglectful ownership,” said Legal Services NYC Staff Attorney Michael Torres. “With hundreds of open violations persisting after nearly a year of legal action, it’s clear that the current landlord is unwilling or unable to provide the safe, habitable homes that tenants are legally entitled to. It’s time for a change in ownership that respects tenants’ rights and creates a path to affordable homeownership.”