Shea Weaver, New York City Mayor Zoran Mamdani’s newly appointed housing secretary, recently expressed regret about some past comments that sparked online backlash. Weaver, who has a background as a housing activist and is associated with the Democratic Socialists of America, was named to lead the Mayor’s Office of Tenant Protection. Her past social media posts, particularly on her now-deleted X account, and certain video appearances have drawn considerable attention.
In a conversation with Spectrum News NY1, Weaver was questioned about the criticism. The host, Errol Lewis, referenced former Mayor Eric Adams’ remark calling her “crazy.” This was in connection with a resurfaced tweet where she claimed homeownership is a tool of white supremacy. When asked for her thoughts, she stated, “I don’t think you’re crazy,” acknowledging that some of her past phrasing might not align with how she’d express herself today, which she regretted.
While she didn’t specify which comments she regretted, Weaver emphasized her intent to tackle “racial inequality” as she serves New Yorkers. “My experience in advocating for affordable housing carries weight,” she noted. “I’m passionate about pushing for tenant rights, as many individuals have faced barriers to entering the real estate market, perpetuating systemic and racial inequities.”
Weaver stressed the importance of ensuring that everyone has access to safe and affordable housing, regardless of whether they rent or own.
In a recent post, former Mayor Adams criticized Weaver’s earlier statement, asserting, “Homeownership is a means for immigrant, Black, brown, and working-class New Yorkers to establish stability and create generational wealth despite various challenges. Calling it ‘white supremacy’ is a misguided viewpoint that stems from extreme privilege.” He highlighted Weaver’s earlier comment, which described homeownership as a “weapon of white supremacy disguised as ‘wealth-building’ public policy.”
