By Salhiram Balthazar, Brand Marketing Strategist
The biting cold of Wednesday, January 21, 2026, did little to deter the resolute spirits gathered outside 80 Woodruff Avenue to rally against NYC’s worst landlords. As someone who grew up in these very streets of Flatbush, standing in front of that brick facade felt personal. I know these buildings; I know the families inside them who work three jobs just to keep the lights on, only to be met with freezing apartments and crumbling ceilings. This wasn’t just another press conference—it was a homecoming of resistance.
Led by Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the rally served as the official launch of the annual “NYC’s Worst Landlords” watchlist. But for those of us from the neighborhood, it was a public naming of the figures who have been eroding our community’s dignity for years. The air was thick with a mix of frustration and the kind of fierce determination that only Brooklyn can produce.
A Neighborhood Under Siege
Flatbush is a vibrant, historic, and beautiful community, but it has long been a target for predatory property owners. This specific rally took place in the heart of Council Member Rita Joseph’s district. Council Member Joseph has been a tireless advocate for us, and her presence underscored a critical reality: housing justice is the frontline of the fight for Flatbush’s future.
The choice of 80 Woodruff Avenue as the backdrop was intentional. The building is managed by the very individuals at the top of this year’s list—Margaret Brunn and Donald Hastings of A&E Real Estate Holdings. Across their portfolio of 60 properties, they have amassed nearly 9,000 open violations. Think about that number. That’s 9,000 times a family had to call about a leak, a lack of heat, or lead paint, only to be ignored.
The Human Cost of Neglect
At the podium, Jumaane Williams didn’t just speak to the cameras; he spoke to the tenants. He was joined by advocates from CUFFH (Churches United for Fair Housing), the Flatbush Tenant Coalition, and CASA.
I watched as my neighbors stepped forward to share their stories. These aren’t just “violations” on a spreadsheet; they are the reasons kids miss school because they’re sick from mold, or why seniors have to sleep in their coats. The rally put a spotlight on the Worst Landlord Accountability Act, a piece of legislation designed to stop landlords from “self-certifying” repairs—basically a pinky-promise to the city that they fixed something when they actually didn’t.
How to Identify a “NYC’s Worst Landlord” and Get Help
As a strategist, I know that information is the most powerful tool for branding a movement. If you are a tenant in Flatbush or anywhere in NYC, you need to know how to fight back.
1. Check the Watchlist The Public Advocate’s office maintains a searchable database. Before you sign a lease—or if you’re looking to build a case against your current owner—visit the NYC Worst Landlord Watchlist.
2. Use HPD Online The Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) has a portal where you can type in your address and see every active violation on your building. If you see hundreds of open cases, you know you’re dealing with a systemic issue.
3. Document Everything This is marketing 101: if it isn’t documented, it didn’t happen.
- Photos/Video: Take clear shots of the mold, the leaks, and the thermometer when the heat is off.
- Paper Trail: Keep a log of every call to the super and every email to the management company.
4. Organize and Formalize One tenant is a nuisance; a tenant union is a powerhouse. Connect with the Flatbush Tenant Coalition or CASA. They provide the roadmap for collective bargaining and legal support. Always call 311 to create an official city record of the conditions.
Final Thoughts from a Flatbush Native
Growing up here, you learn that nobody is going to hand you your rights—you have to claim them. Seeing the community stand tall on Woodruff Avenue reminded me why I do the work I do at Heru Vision Consulting. Branding isn’t just for corporations; it’s for causes. We are branding the fight for our homes.
To my neighbors in Rita Joseph’s district 40 and across Brooklyn: stay loud, stay organized, and don’t let these slum lords hide in the shadows. We know who they are now, and we aren’t going anywhere.
Reclaim the narrative of our neighborhoods! Check your landlord and join the tenant movement!
This is very informative. Thank you for this
I grew up on Flat ush and I know Rita, she’s been. A beacon of our community and as an educator, she’s been there for her community.
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