Zohran Mamdani's Fight Against New York's Affordability Crisis Fuels His Mayoral Campaign

Zohran Mamdani pledges to freeze rents for two million rent-stabilized tenants in New York City.

United States:

A prominent yellow banner spanning a busy expressway between Brooklyn and Queens boldly states: "Vote Zohran -- for a city we can afford."

New York City's escalating cost of living has emerged as the pivotal issue propelling Democratic socialist candidate Zohran Mamdani to the forefront of the mayoral race.

Early voting commenced Saturday, with the official election day set for November 4.

Exorbitant rents and housing shortages plague America's most populous city of 8.5 million residents, where a quarter of the population struggles to afford basic necessities.

According to the StreetEasy property platform, New York's median rent surpassed $4,000 for the first time in June—more than twice the national average.

Unregulated rents climbed 5.6 percent in 2025's first quarter compared to the previous year.

Mamdani's platform includes freezing rents for the two million tenants in rent-stabilized housing and constructing 200,000 new homes over the next decade.

Critics argue his policies could discourage property maintenance and investment.

"Whatever you need to live in this city, that is not something that you should be priced out of," Mamdani stated during an appearance on the popular Breakfast Club radio program.

"We can't let the market determine who gets to live that dignified life."

Under current mayor Eric Adams, regulated rents have increased 12.6 percent since he took office in 2022, approved by an independent board that Mamdani could potentially restructure.

"Mamdani recognizes that everything has become extremely expensive following Covid and inflation, leaving people feeling financially strained," explained Daniel Schlozman, associate professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University.

"He addressed these issues in ways that his primary opponent Andrew Cuomo did not."

'Politics of affordability'

Outside a recent Mamdani rally, Santiago, a 69-year-old retiree who withheld his surname, displayed a banner reading "we want affordable housing for our community."

"We are overwhelmed by housing costs," he remarked near the George Washington Bridge connecting New York to New Jersey, where many New York families have relocated seeking lower rental prices.

Santiago cited the Bronx as an example where rising rents have outpaced relatively lower average wages.

Community organizer Lex Rountree, 27, wearing tenant rights pins, noted, "Tenants make up 70 percent of New York, so we are the majority."

"We have, if we come together, a real chance to make a huge impact," she added.

Mamdani has portrayed former state governor Cuomo as aligned with landlords and corporate interests, criticizing him during debates for policies that neglect affordability concerns.

"That's why he lost the primary. That's why he'll lose the general election," Mamdani asserted during a televised debate.

Skyrocketing grocery prices rival extreme rents as New Yorkers' primary economic concern.

Prices for eggs, meat, poultry, and fish have jumped 8.9 percent in the city over the past year.

"Grocery prices are out of control -- as mayor, I will create a network of city-owned grocery stores," Mamdani announced on Instagram.

According to Mamdani's campaign, nine in ten New Yorkers report grocery costs increasing faster than their incomes.

This proposal faced criticism from conservatives and fellow Democrat Cuomo, who questioned, "Why would you subsidize rich people's purchase of food?"

US President Donald Trump, a vocal critic of Mamdani, has labeled the frontrunner a "communist."

However, a Data for Progress Poll revealed that two-thirds of New Yorkers support the city-owned grocery store proposal.

"He realized that the politics of affordability were absolutely critical," Schlozman observed.

Steven Looez, a 41-year-old bartender, told AFP he has considered leaving New York for a more affordable city.

"We're always kind of perplexed where our money goes," he said. "It adds up."

"But I'm a little spoiled being in New York City, where everything you need culturally and socially is here, so it's hard to match that."