Immediate Solutions for Affordable Living in NYC

​​One in three New Yorkers spends more than 50% of their income on rent. Meanwhile, my opponents claim that simply "building more housing" is the solution. However, this approach alone will not address the affordability crisis plaguing New York City.

​This year, City Hall passed deceptive housing legislation known as the "City of Yes," introduced by Mayor Eric Adams. I oppose this policy because it removes local zoning control under the guise of increasing "affordable" housing. Community opposition was clear: 28 out of 59 community boards issued unfavorable recommendations, while 16 others supported it only with conditions, fearing its impact on working- and middle-class neighborhoods. Make no mistake—this legislation is a land grab for corporate developers, not a genuine solution to affordability.

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The City of Yes only promises 80,000 new units over the next 15 years. New Yorkers can’t wait that long for affordability and availability to improve. As Mayor, I will repeal this policy and restore zoning control to local residents, community boards, and City Council members.​

Curtis Sliwa’s Plan to Fix NYC’s Housing Crisis​​

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• Empower community boards, local residents and their City Council members to guide local housing decisions, ensuring development serves residents—not corporate interests. Locals can identify areas where housing can be built to assure the development does not obstruct the fabric of the community while adding more housing.

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• Incentivize the rehabilitation of vacant rent controlled units (26,310 estimated), and get them back on the market now, increasing housing supply without unnecessary new construction delays.

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• Expand the availability of rent-stabilized units for working families and seniors on fixed incomes. ​

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• Amend the 421-a tax code to prioritize small landlords who want to create affordable rental units.

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• Revise the unfair system where corporate developers receive 40-year tax abatements while small homeowners see their taxes increase. Small landlords often struggle with squatters, preventing many potential homeowners from renting extra space in their home. Therefore, I support the legislative efforts to finally assure squatters do not receive tenant protections.

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• Reevaluate outdated "manufacturing" zones to allow for new residential developments while maintaining community character to promote efficient development​

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• Repeal the City of Yes to return zoning decisions to local communities.

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• Ensure residents have a say in their neighborhoods, preventing unchecked gentrification and displacement.

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A Balanced Approach to Housing Development

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With a rental vacancy rate of just 1.4%, too many New Yorkers are being forced into overpriced apartments. Lower- and middle-income earners, including recent college graduates, are leaving the city in record numbers. This crisis cannot be ignored for 15 years while costs continue to skyrocket. While some neighborhoods receive substantial investment, others—many of them cultural and commercial hubs—are being neglected. Developers, under the City of Yes, are exploiting loose regulations to construct luxury units instead of housing that meets the needs of working-class residents.

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A major flaw in NYC’s current approach to affordability is the reliance on the Area Median Income (AMI) system to determine what is considered "affordable." The truth is that AMI does not account for the real financial burdens New Yorkers face—high energy bills, student loans, medical expenses, and other non-negotiable costs. Instead, affordability is deceptively based on gross income before expenses, making it an inaccurate measure of what residents can truly afford.

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Current affordability requirements under the AMI system are structured as follows:

• 150+ units: At least 25% of units must be affordable to households at 60% of the AMI.

• 100+ units citywide: At least 25% of units must be affordable to households at 80% of the AMI.

• 6–99 units citywide: At least 20% of units must be affordable to households at 80% of the AMI.

• 6–10 units outside of Manhattan: At least 50% of units must be rent stabilized.

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The AMI system misrepresents true affordability by failing to factor in the unavoidable costs of living, which is why many working New Yorkers continue to struggle despite supposedly "affordable" housing options. As Mayor, I will implement policies that provide relief now—not a decade from now.​

Rather than handing control to corporate developers, I will ensure that zoning decisions prioritize affordability and community stability. Instead of relying solely on new high-rise developments, we must focus on revitalizing existing spaces, supporting small landlords, and protecting middle-class families from being priced out of their own neighborhoods.

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As your next Mayor, I will invest more funding into our parks and local green spaces. NYC green space creates a venue for all to enjoy nature, music, and the arts. Investing in green space and parks bolsters local businesses that surround it. As Mayor, I will increase NYC Parks department funding to 3% of the NYC budget. It's time to beautify our neighborhoods and protect nature. We need more trees, cleaner parks and better maintain roadways and sidewalks.

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New Yorkers need relief now—not in 15 years. As Mayor, I will fight to make housing truly affordable and ensure that NYC remains a place where working families can thrive.