Tenants Say “Enough!”: Pack the Court to Demand City Remove Ownership from NYC’s Worst Landlord Ohebshalom

NEW YORK, NY – Tenants from 705 and 709 W. 170th St., who have endured years of harassment and neglect at the hands of their landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom, rallied outside Manhattan Housing Court at 111 Centre St. ahead of their ongoing court hearings regarding the harassment case against Ohebshalom.

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One year since the second arrest and detainment of the notorious landlord, tenants have been shut out of the long-awaited conversations regarding future ownership of 705 & 709 W 170th Street in Washington Heights.

The tenant association has taken extraordinary measures to repair their own homes and has organized to hold the landlord accountable, with support from Legal Services NYC, Met Council on Housing, and the Northern Manhattan Community Land Trust, as well as elected officials. Uncertainty remains, however, over the future ownership of their homes, and they continue to face the same issues of building neglect, caved-in ceilings, pest problems, and warehousing.

Tenants gathered to demand action from the city as the second set of harassment trial testimonies begin. Tenants are calling on the city to:

• Remove Daniel Ohebshalom’s ownership and access to current management of the properties
• Push HPD to take responsibility for the properties
• Deliver the ownership action that tenants have been tirelessly advocating for and oppose 7A programs or negotiations that keep the landlord as the owner

“These brave, resilient tenants are back in housing court today fighting against NYC’s Worst Landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom. They are testifying for dignified housing, homeownership, affordable housing, respect, and rights. This issue is not unique to our tenants, and they are fighting for all New Yorkers who suffer at the hands of negligent, unscrupulous landlords who are not in the business of housing for the right reasons. Landlords should not profit from the backs of low income, working-class, Black and Brown New Yorkers or leverage our precious housing stock for nefarious causes. It’s time we give real New Yorkers who have long cared for their homes without management’s help the ownership of these buildings,” said Council Member Carmen De La Rosa.

“Together, we stand strong with the tenants of NYC, united in the fight against the exploitation and mistreatment by Daniel Ohebshalom. As they continue to speak out against the horrible conditions and abuse at the hands of this slumlord, we are inspired by their resilience. We also extend our deepest gratitude to Manhattan Legal Services, Senator Robert Jackson, Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for their unwavering support in this crucial battle for justice and dignity,” said Met Council on Housing Executive Director, Darius Gordon.

“New Yorkers deserve dignified living conditions,” said NYC Council Member and Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, Pierina Sanchez. “But in this building, that dignity has been denied time and time again. Negligent landlords, like Ohebshalom, must be held accountable for creating a hostile and unsafe living environment for the tenants of 705 and 709 W. 170th St. This is yet another clear example of why my legislation, the Housing Rescue and Resident Protection Act (Int. 1063), must pass in the NYC Council. My bill offers a path to safe and dignified housing for residents living in untenable conditions. Taking aim at the city’s most distressed properties, these buildings would be flagged and, after a fair process, turned over to responsible ownership. Thank you to the office of Council Member Carmen De La Rosa, Legal Services NYC, Met Council on Housing, the Northern Manhattan Community Land Trust, and of course Eva Santos Veloz and the residents for their tireless advocacy.”