Mamdani Opposes Expansion of Rental Vouchers in New York — What Happened to His Campaign Promise?

Zohran Mamdani is facing criticism after deciding to appeal a court ruling that requires New York City to expand access to CityFHEPS rental vouchers, a key program for thousands of low-income families.

The move marks a shift from one of his campaign promises: to stop opposing the expansion of rental assistance programs like this.

Why it matters: The decision comes amid a worsening housing crisis in the city, with rents at record highs and thousands of residents at risk of eviction. Access to these vouchers can determine whether a family is able to stay in their home—making the NYC rental vouchers CityFHEPS expansion debate especially critical.

Mamdani’s shift on a key campaign promise

During his campaign, Mamdani supported expanding rental assistance.

However, his administration has now chosen to continue the legal battle initiated by former mayor Eric Adams, according to The Center Square.

The city’s Law Department announced it will appeal a ruling by the New York Supreme Court’s Appellate Division, which ordered the city to implement changes expanding eligibility for the CityFHEPS program.

According to the administration, the decision stems from a lack of agreement with the City Council before the appeal deadline.

NYC Rental Vouchers CityFHEPS Expansion Sparks Debate – PHOTO: EFE

This move has raised questions about consistency between campaign promises and governing decisions.

CityFHEPS: Proposed changes to NYC rental vouchers

The City Council, which holds a Democratic majority, passed legislation to expand access to CityFHEPS.

Proposed changes include:

Allowing people at risk of eviction to apply without spending 90 days in a shelter

Raising income limits to qualify

Preventing landlords from deducting utility costs from voucher amounts

These measures were designed to make assistance more accessible and respond to mounting pressure in the housing market.

Former Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the expansion, citing high projected costs—estimated at $17 billion over five years, significantly higher than the Council’s calculations.

NYC Rental Vouchers CityFHEPS Expansion Sparks Debate – PHOTO: Shutterstock

Ongoing legal battle shaping the program

The dispute between the City Council and the mayor’s office moved to the courts after the administration refused to implement the reforms.

The Council filed a lawsuit, arguing the administration was legally required to enact the approved changes. Low-income residents also joined with class-action lawsuits.

The city argued that state law limits the Council’s authority to modify public assistance programs.

However, the appellate court rejected that argument and ordered the city to proceed with the changes.

Now, Mamdani’s appeal prolongs the legal battle, leaving the future of the program uncertain.

Currently, about 36,000 households rely on CityFHEPS to afford housing.

NYC rental crisis: prices at record highs

The debate over rental vouchers comes at a critical time for tenants in New York.

Rental prices have reached historic highs:

Manhattan median rent: $5,000 per month

Brooklyn median rent: $4,296

At the same time, housing demand continues to surge, with lease signings more than doubling compared to the previous year, according to CBS News.

Many residents are now turning to neighborhoods like Gowanus, Red Hook, and Carroll Gardens, where new developments are increasing supply.

NYC Rental Vouchers CityFHEPS Expansion Sparks Debate – PHOTO: Shutterstock

What you can do as rents rise

In this context, many families are looking for alternatives to cope with the impact of high prices.

One of the most common options is to explore areas with more affordable costs within the same city or nearby. It has also become more common to share housing to reduce monthly expenses.

Another key strategy is to check eligibility for existing assistance programs, such as rental vouchers or other state support, as they can make a significant difference in the budget.

In addition, adjusting monthly spending and prioritizing housing costs over other expenses can help avoid risk situations such as eviction.

In a context of high prices, making early decisions can be decisive in maintaining housing stability.

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Pressure on public finances and impact on the city budget

The debate over expanding the program is also shaped by the city’s fiscal context.

New York faces an estimated $6 billion deficit for the coming year. In this scenario, the administration has warned about possible increases in property taxes if new fiscal measures are not approved.

Spending on CityFHEPS has also grown significantly. In 2023, the city allocated nearly $500 million to the program, almost double what was spent in 2021.

This increase in cost is one of the main arguments for limiting the expansion of the program.

What’s next: the appeal filed by Mamdani’s administration could delay the implementation of changes to the rental voucher program.