Klein in Decline: Webster St. Tenants Fight For Landlord Licensing

On Wednesday, May 14th, tenants and ACORN members living at 1270 & 1280 Webster St. gathered outside of their buildings to commemorate the ongoing two-year battle against landlord Michael Klein and his relentless renoviction campaign. The rally—Klein in Decline—was both a reflection on years of struggle and a renewed call for real accountability. The event drew over 20 tenants and supporters, who gathered to share stories, demand landlord licensing, and march in defiance of ongoing displacement, neglect, and silence from city officials.

Tenants delivered moving testimonials, detailing months of water shutoffs, flooding from poor repairs, a dysfunctional intercom system, and repeated threats from management when asking for basic maintenance or asserting their rights.

A Work Order Blitz was launched on-site: Tenant Repair Request forms were handed out and collected, aimed at building a body of evidence to pressure both Klein and the City to take action. These forms will be submitted to City Hall as part of a formal complaint push.

The action ended with a march around the Webster buildings and down Huron Street, sending a clear message that tenants are organized, visible, and not backing down.

This action marked two years of resistance, and two years too long of government inaction. This is why ACORN is fighting for Landlord Licensing- making sure that tenants get proactive inspections, real standards, and proper living conditions. Klein’s profit-driven neglect has fractured a once-strong community. But Webster tenants are rebuilding that strength through solidarity, organizing, and relentless pressure.

Michael Klein is finally in decline, and tenants will not back down until real accountability and justice are achieved.