“What if, instead of living under the boot of absentee landlords and corporate ownership, tenants had the right to control their own buildings and destinies? What if our rent went directly toward maintaining our homes instead of lining pockets?”

Residents and organizers at a building on West 170th Street owned by “worst landlord” Daniel Ohebshalom in June, where some would like to see ownership of the building transferred to its tenants. (Gerardo Romo/NYC Council)

I was born and raised in a red-brick tenement in Hell’s Kitchen. My building, 438, is my heart and soul. My mother has been living in it for over 30 years.

During the same time, our living has been dominated by an abusive and neglectful landlord, Daniel Ohebshalom. Ask any tenants under his ownership: suffering is constant, and horrific living conditions, deception, and injustice are the standard.

Clean buildings and sorted garbage? Fat chance.

Functioning locks on front doors, or safe building lobbies? Not gonna happen.

Heat and hot water … in the winter? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves.

For his slumlord-related crimes, Ohebshalom was jailed and penalized millions in violation-related fines. My building, caught in the crossfire, has been passed around like a rotten hot potato. It’s an asset that won’t yield a profit: there are too many stipulations and financial traps left over from the Ohebshalom years for anyone who wants to purchase and flip it.

In the wake of this fire sale, a group of buyers has emerged from the fold, eager to obtain the building by any means necessary: the tenants.

That’s right. My neighbors and I—all 16 of us—are entirely equipped to purchase and take over the building. We will be the new landlords, creating a community of affordable housing, decency, and regular upkeep instead of dependence on a heartless despot. This concept epitomizes what I call Housing Freedom. It’s radically optimistic—wishful, you might say. I know. That’s the point. Freedom and liberation efforts typically start out that way.

The idea of community ownership isn’t new. There are several precedents for it across the world, but the particular model of tenants purchasing the building directly from the landlord has origins right here in the U.S. The Tenant Opportunity to Purchase Act, or (TOPA), began in Washington, D.C. in 1980. During these last four decades, TOPA has helped preserve thousands of affordable housing units, prevented mass displacement, and empowered tenants to take control of their communities in the nation’s capital.

How TOPA Works in D.C.:

1. Landlords must notify tenants before selling a rental building.
2. Tenants can either buy the property directly or assign their purchase rights to a nonprofit or developer committed to affordability.
3. Many tenants form cooperatives or partner with Community Land Trusts (CLTs) to maintain long-term affordability.
4. The city provides funding and support to help tenants secure financing.

In New York, we aim to adopt a similar version of TOPA, which could empower tenants to fight back against landlord abuse, speculation, and displacement. It’s a solution to a housing crisis that could use any help it can get, with private equity and The Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) dominating housing and inflating prices across the state.

TOPA’s success in D.C. poses a model of how to shift power away from these forces to the hands of tenants, granting them control over their housing conditions. A New York where New Yorkers have the final say as to how they live—I’m sure we all like the sound of that.

A recent poll by the Community Service Society found that 82 percent of New Yorkers support the TOPA. On both sides of the aisle, New Yorkers value home ownership and prefer to live by their own rules. You can’t tell us what to do elsewhere—why should that be any different in our homes?

The grave reality is that New York City’s character and integrity have become victim to an unstoppable force: excess and greed. But just as you’ve heard in every tale of perseverance across time, the power of community resilience is just as immovable. TOPA could serve as a powerful intervention to this brutal occupation.

For us tenants at 438, many of whom have lived here for decades, homeownership translates to happiness and well-being. They tell us that’s the American Dream, after all. But as New Yorkers, our vision of home looks a little different than white picket fences and two cars in the driveway. For us, home is a five-story walk-up with laundry waving about the fire escapes.

Nearly half of New York City’s rentals—about 1 million apartments—are rent-stabilized, but too many are controlled by landlords like ours who let them rot, a strategy known as warehousing, which means there is an abundance of affordable housing waiting to be unlocked by TOPA.

Why spend billions on new developments when we have vacant apartments next door? Much like hunger and homelessness, housing has clear solutions that already exist in current infrastructure. We must simply make a compelling appeal for the funding.

In late February, I stated my case. In the gloomy state capital of Albany, I testified my story, and shared dreams of Housing Freedom for New York. I asked that the state grant $250 million to TOPA, funds that would empower tenants like us to purchase and own our homes, and create thousands of affordable housing units in the process. Several of the lawmakers listened with support and encouragement. Others questioned whether tenants like myself were truly ready to tackle the responsibility of ownership.

“How would you source funds and expertise to manage the building?” One asked me off the bat. “Is your building organized enough to take this on?” Was another common question.

Since 2020, I told them, our building has largely been abandoned by ownership. It’s been years of managing the building ourselves, including boiler maintenance, upkeep and several issues our landlord evades. The responsibilities of ownership are already ours. We’ve had no choice but to take care of ourselves. In slightly more formal terms, I told the Senate Housing Committee chair that we’ve been ready for the takeover.

Under TOPA, a building like ours wouldn’t have to operate entirely alone. We could partner with a Community Land Trust, a kind of nonprofit that empowers tenants to buy homes, and receive funding to manage and upkeep them.

This is a vision I have for the future of housing in New York. Imagine a city where people come first, and profits serve the community.

What if, instead of living under the boot of absentee landlords and corporate ownership, tenants had the right to control their own buildings and destinies? What if our rent went directly toward maintaining our homes instead of lining pockets? TOPA makes this vision a reality. It gives tenants a fighting chance to reclaim our homes, protect our neighbors, and build communities that are self-sustaining and just. Really, it just makes sense.

The stakes have never been higher for us to take action. Over 300,000 New Yorkers are estimated to be homeless, and countless more teeter on the edge of displacement. There is no time to wait for a hero. We cannot afford the continued erosion of our communities by real estate bodies and private equity firms who see our homes as investment opportunities rather than lifelines. They don’t care about cherished New York buildings—we do. They are our homes, and with bold, arrogant, New Yorker attitudes, we are ready to take over right now. Who can stop us?

The stark realities of housing insecurity, corporate negligence, and tenant disenfranchisement defined my childhood. It is a brutal cycle—one that will repeat if left unchecked—yet we stand here on the edge of a new frontier. In spite of division and disunity across the land, against the odds of uncertainty and desperation, we have a chance to build a better future. The frontier ahead lay rife with opportunities and perils—it can forge us together—the strength of indomitable human spirit and New York grit between us.

By passing TOPA, we take the leap toward a New York where tenants have real power and real security. A leap toward Housing Freedom.

So I invite you to stand with us and take action toward making community ownership a reality. Join us on March 15 at 438 West 45th St. at noon to rally for TOPA support and fight for a future of Housing Freedom.

Our building can’t wait. New Yorkers can’t wait, and our freedom can’t wait.

Red Young is a Hell’s Kitchen native, journalist, and founder of Down to Earth, leading the charge for community-owned housing.

The post Opinion: Helping NYC Tenants Take Over Their Buildings appeared first on City Limits.

As the Vikings confronted their weaknesses this offseason, they kept coming back to the playoff loss to the Los Angeles Rams as a reference point.

The fact that veteran quarterback Sam Darnold was sacked seemingly every time he dropped back to pass in that game highlighted the importance of addressing the interior of the offensive line.

San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Javon Hargrave (98) celebrates after sacking Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Inglewood, Calif. (AP Photo/Ryan Sun)

On the flip side, the Vikings also got a firsthand look at how impactful it can be to generate pressure from the interior of the defensive line, which explains why in the opening 72 hours of free agency they spent big money on defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Javon Hargrave.

Both players have been known as disruptors throughout their careers, now they’re joining forces with the Vikings.

“I’ve always looked at him as my competitor because I think every guy in the NFL is competing with the top guys at their position,” said Allen, who signed a 3-year, $51 million contract. “Now, to be able to line up and play with each other, I’m super excited about that.”

The resumes speak for themselves. Allen has recorded 42 sacks in his career playing for the Washington Commanders, while Hargrave has recorded 45½ sacks in his career, playing for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.

The way that Allen and Hargrave play the game is a perfect example of how the NFL has shifted over the past decade, thanks in large part to the dominance of future Hall of Fame defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

Though players on the interior of the defensive line were once looked at almost exclusively as run stoppers, they are now being relied upon to be pass rusher, as well.

“The money done jumped up for the defensive tackles who can pass rush,” said Hargrave, who signed a 2-year, $30 million contract. “Just having a defensive tackle who can pass rush and cause havoc is good for a defense.”

It’s also something defensive coordinator Brian Flores hasn’t had much of since joining the Vikings. He’s had to rely heavily on blitzes to generate pressure because the interior of the defensive line has rarely been able to overpower their opponents at the point of attack.

That should no longer be an issue pairing Allen and Hargrave with others players up front, including defensive tackle Harrison Phillips, edge rusher Jonathan Greenard and edge rusher Andrew Van Ginkel, among others.

“I’m looking forward to fitting in and doing what I can to help out,” Allen said. “It was definitely exciting to have the opportunity to pair with some of these guys.”

There is some risk involved for the Vikings. Allen, 30, is coming off a torn pectoral muscle, and Hargrave, 32, is still recovering from a torn triceps. If they can get back to where they were at the peak of their powers, however, the sky could be the limit for the defense.

“I don’t want to promise too much because we’ve still got a lot of work to put in,” Allen said. “Just excited to be here and get started.”

Related Articles

Source: Vikings agree to terms with cornerback Jeff Okudah

Vikings release center Garrett Bradbury amid offensive line overhaul

Vikings host former No. 3 pick Jeff Okudah on visit

Source: Vikings acquire running back Jordan Mason in trade with 49ers

John Shipley: Vikings would do well to sign Aaron Rodgers

ATHENS, Ga. (AP) — Two brothers of the Venezuelan man who killed Georgia nursing student Laken Riley will be deported along with their former roommate after they pleaded guilty to possessing fake green cards, federal authorities say.

Jose Ibarra, 27, was convicted in November of murder and other crimes in Riley’s killing and was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in a case that became a flashpoint over immigration. His brother Diego Ibarra, 29, was taken into custody after he gave a counterfeit green card to a police officer investigating the February 2024 killing, the Justice Department said.

Another brother, Argenis Ibarra, 25, and their former roommate, Rosbeli Flores-Bello, 29, admitted to having fake green cards, and agents found counterfeit Social Security cards for them in the apartment they shared with Diego and Jose Ibarra, the department added in a news release.

Diego Ibarra was sentenced Wednesday to four years in federal prison after pleading guilty in July to two counts of possessing a fraudulent document. He is to be transferred to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, for deportation after he completes his sentence, the department said.

Argenis and Flores-Bello each were sentenced Wednesday to time served after pleading guilty in December to one count of possessing a fraudulent document. They were to be immediately turned over to ICE for deportation, according to the news release. The statement did not elaborate on those deportation plans.

Federal authorities said they believe that Diego Ibarra is affiliated with the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua based on his multiple tattoos and social media photos of him making signs and wearing clothes associated with the gang.

By JOHN HANNA and JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press

DALLAS (AP) — Newly released documents related to President John F. Kennedy’s assassination in 1963 gave curious readers more details Wednesday into Cold War-era covert U.S. operations in other nations but didn’t initially lend credence to long-circulating conspiracy theories about who killed JFK.

Assessments of the roughly 2,200 files posted by the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration on its website came with a huge caveat: No one had enough time as of Wednesday to review more than a small fraction of them. The vast majority of the National Archives’ more than 6 million pages of records, photographs, motion pictures, sound recordings and artifacts related to the assassination have previously been released.

FILE – Secret servicemen standing on running boards follow the presidential limousine carrying President John F. Kennedy, right, rear seat, and first lady Jacqueline Kennedy, left, as well as Texas Gov. John Connally and his wife, Nellie, in Dallas, Texas, Nov. 22, 1963. (AP Photo/Jim Altgens, File)

An initial Associated Press review of more than 63,000 pages of records released this week shows that some were not directly related to the assassination but rather dealt with covert CIA operations, particularly in Cuba. And nothing in the first documents examined undercut the conclusion that Kennedy assassin Lee Harvey Oswald was the lone gunman in Dallas on Nov. 22, 1963.

“Nothing points to a second gunman,” said Philip Shenon, who wrote a 2013 book about the assassination. “I haven’t seen any big blockbusters that rewrite the essential history of the assassination, but it is very early.”

Recently declassified documents related to the President John F. Kennedy assassination are seen Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Kennedy was killed on a visit to Dallas, when his motorcade was finishing its parade route downtown and shots rang out from the Texas School Book Depository building. Police arrested the 24-year-old Oswald, a former Marine who had positioned himself from a sniper’s perch on the sixth floor. Two days later Jack Ruby, a nightclub owner, fatally shot Oswald during a jail transfer broadcast live on television.

Historians hope for new details about the man who killed JFK

A year after the assassination, the Warren Commission, established by Johnson to investigate, concluded that Oswald acted alone and there was no evidence of a conspiracy. But critics of the commission still spun a web of alternative theories.

Historians are hoping for details fleshing out Oswald’s activities before the assassination and what the CIA and FBI knew about him beforehand.

Recently declassified documents related to the President John F. Kennedy assassination are seen Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

Shenon pointed Wednesday to previously released documents about a trip Oswald made to Mexico City at the end of September 1963. Records show Oswald intended to contact the Soviet Union’s embassy there after living as a U.S. defector in the U.S.S.R. from October 1959 until June 1962.

Shenon said the U.S. government may have kept information about what it knew about Oswald before the assassination secret to hide what he described as officials’ possible “incompetence and laziness.”

“The CIA had Oswald under pretty aggressive surveillance while he was there and this was just several weeks before the assassination,” Shenon said. “There’s reason to believe he talked openly about killing Kennedy in Mexico City and that people overheard him say that.”

Speculation about such details surrounding Kennedy’s assassination has been intense over the decades, generating countless conspiracy theories about multiple shooters and involvement by the Soviet Union, the mafia and the CIA. The new release fueled rampant online speculation and sent people scurrying to read the documents and share online what they might mean.

Many documents already were public but information had been redacted

The latest release of documents followed an order by President Donald Trump, though most of the records were made public previously with redactions. Before Tuesday, researchers had estimated that 3,000 to 3,500 files were still unreleased, either wholly or partially. Last month, the FBI said it had discovered about 2,400 new records related to the assassination.

Jefferson Morley, vice president of the Mary Ferrell Foundation, a repository for files related to the assassination, said in a statement posted on the social platform X that much of the “rampant overclassification of trivial information has been eliminated” from the documents.

A boon to historians of the Cold War

The latest release also is a boon to historians of the Cold War. Timothy Natafali, an adjunct professor at Columbia University who is writing a book about JFK’s presidency, said scholars now appear to have more details about U.S. intelligence activities under Kennedy than under any other president.

For example, in October 1975, U.S. senators were investigating what the CIA knew about Oswald, and an October 1975 memo said they considered the agency “not forthcoming.”

FILE – Part of a file, dated April 5, 1964, details efforts to trace Lee Harvey Oswald’s travel from Mexico City back to the United States, is photographed in Washington, Oct. 26, 2017. (AP Photo/Jon Elswick, File)

A version of that memo released in 2023 redacted the name of the CIA’s security contact on Oswald in Mexico, as well as the identity of someone behind the “penetration of the Cuban embassy” there. The latest version shows that the security contact was the president of Mexico in 1975, Luis Echeverria Alvarez, who died in 2022, and that the Mexican government itself penetrated the Cuban embassy.

Also, Nafatali said, before the latest release, the government had made public copies of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s “daily checklist” of highly sensitive foreign intelligence in the days after Kennedy’s assassination, but with much of the material redacted. Now, he said, people can read what Johnson read.

“It’s quite remarkable to be able to walk through that secret world,” he said.

Some records provide small details about covert operations

Documents show that in December 1963, the CIA director’s office was receiving messages from and replying to operatives in Cuba seeking to undermine the government under Fidel Castro. One, on Dec. 9, 1963, relayed a message to the director from Cuba: “TODAY RECD THE MAGNUM PISTOLS BUT NO BULLETS.”

Recently declassified documents related to the President John F. Kennedy assassination are seen Wednesday, March 19, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)

“You’re getting both a bird’s-eye view of U.S. foreign policy, and you’re also getting a snail’s eye view of covert action, right there on the ground,” Nafatali said.

In a previously released April 1975 memo, the CIA downplayed what it knew about Oswald’s visit to Mexico City before the assassination. The memo said the CIA recorded three phone calls between Oswald and a guard at the Soviet embassy, but only in the last one did Oswald identify himself.

“We’re now discovering how much more the CIA and the FBI knew before the assassination about Oswald,” Shenon said. “And the question is, why didn’t they act on the information in their own files?”

Hanna reported from Topeka, Kansas.