Cuomo’s Proposal on Rent-Controlled Apartments

Mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo has put forth a proposal aimed at barring affluent New Yorkers from residing in rent-controlled apartments.

He described his initiative as “Zohran’s law,” expressing that the current system is being exploited. “We do not intend to provide rent-stabilized apartments to billionaires,” Cuomo stated in an interview with a news outlet on Sunday.

Cuomo, who previously lost to Mamdani in the June Democratic primary, has been critical of Mamdani since last Friday during discussions held in Astoria, a notably expensive neighborhood in New York City.

“Last night, somewhere in New York City, a single mother and her children had to sleep in a homeless shelter,” he pointed out, “because you, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, are occupying her rent-controlled apartment.”

He urged Mamdani to vacate the apartment and to offer it to families in need. “Leaders need to show moral clarity. It’s time to act,” he emphasized.

Mamdani, a state legislator, reportedly takes home a salary of $142,000 annually, while living in an Astoria apartment that costs around $2,300 each month. His campaign mentioned he started renting via StreetEasy when his income was approximately $47,000.

Cuomo plans to launch his “Fighting and Delivery” party in November, while current mayor Eric Adams is also running as an independent candidate following his exit from a primary related to federal corruption charges. Curtis Sliwa is the Republican contender in the race.