Elections are more than a referendum on the past — they’re a chance to surface new solutions to persistent problems. And few issues loom as large in New York City as the lack of affordable housing.
To meet projected job and population growth, the city will need to add between 560,000 and 800,000 housing units by 2055. That includes addressing a current shortfall of more than 200,000 units and the need to accommodate future demand. Without sweeping policy change and a meaningful uptick in housing production, the affordability crisis will deepen, displacing more residents and pushing rents ever higher.
With a problem as big as this, every idea should be considered and explored.
That’s why this year’s crowded Democratic primary for mayor, with nine declared candidates, is such a welcome development. In this issue, Crain’s is publishing responses from eight of the nine Democratic candidates, who replied to our questionnaire. We’ve been struck by the quality and specificity of the responses, especially on the issue of affordable housing.
This candidate-rich field is generating exactly what voters deserve: a robust marketplace of ideas.
Several contenders have offered fresh proposals. Comptroller Brad Lander floated a bold idea to convert four of the city’s 12 municipal golf courses into housing — a move that could create 50,000 new homes. Council Speaker Adrienne Adams pledged to follow through on zoning reforms passed in December and suggested pairing them with guaranteed income and housing vouchers to reduce homelessness. Whitney Tilson, a former hedge fund manager, proposed streamlining the city’s notoriously slow and complex housing approval processes to unlock private capital. Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani advocated for building permanently affordable housing for low-income and senior residents, funded by municipal bonds. Former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, now the Democratic frontrunner, aims to build or preserve 500,000 homes in the next 10 years, two-thirds of which would be affordable. His plan includes partnering with faith-based groups to develop housing on underused land.
Incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is bypassing the Democratic primary and running on a third-party line, points to results: His administration financed what it said was a record 14,227 new affordable homes in 2023 and launched the City of Yes plan to enable 80,000 more units by relaxing zoning rules and legalizing basement and backyard units.
Voters can judge for themselves by reading the responses of the Democratic primary candidates in this issue. Only Cuomo declined to participate when Crain’s reached out with questions, despite multiple invitations. That’s disappointing. Voters benefit when candidates are willing to defend their ideas in public and engage with the press.
This election is proving that competitive campaigns don’t have to devolve into spectacle. With stakes as high as housing, it’s heartening to see candidates take bold positions, challenge each other’s assumptions and propose concrete solutions. That’s what democracy looks like — and it’s what New York desperately needs.
