Andrew Cuomo is criticizing Zoran Mamdani, a candidate for New York City office, for having a rent-stabilized apartment while earning a substantial income.
On Tuesday, Cuomo introduced what he terms “Zoran’s law,” a legislative proposal that would mandate that if a rent-stabilized apartment becomes vacant, the next tenant’s rent cannot exceed 30% of their income. He argues this measure would help ensure that these apartments are accessible to those who truly need them, rather than wealthier individuals.
“We certainly need to expedite home construction, but we also need to guarantee that our rent-stabilized apartments benefit New Yorkers who are struggling,” Cuomo insisted. “They should be available for hardworking individuals, yet too often, affluent people occupy them.”
“We must put an end to situations like that of Zoran Mamdani. It’s crucial that we counteract the system that traps low-income New Yorkers, and Zoran’s law addresses that,” he added.
Mamdani, who makes over $140,000 annually as a member of the New York State Legislature, pays $2,300 monthly for his rent-stabilized apartment. Cuomo, meanwhile, rents a place as well but earns considerably more than Mamdani.
Cuomo’s campaign claims that he plans to construct and preserve over 500,000 affordable housing units while emphasizing the necessity for these to genuinely support those in need.
The campaign notes that roughly 46% of tenants in rent-stabilized apartments and 40% in market-rate housing spend at least 30% of their incomes on rent. Cuomo’s proposal draws on reforms he enacted during his governorship in 2019 aimed at ensuring housing units do not compromise rent regulations when either rent or tenant income reaches elevated thresholds.
However, some experts in housing have voiced doubts about Cuomo’s initiatives, pointing out that the proposed changes inherently imply that renters would have to allocate a considerable portion of their income towards rent.
Mamdani’s campaign was contacted for a response.
The race for the New York City mayoral election is heating up as election day nears, with Cuomo running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. The race features five candidates: Mamdani, Cuomo, current mayor Eric Adams, Republican Curtis Sliwa, and Independent Jim Walden.
While Adams is a registered Democrat, he’s also campaigning as an independent.
Mamdani recently criticized Cuomo over a phone call that purportedly involved both Cuomo and former President Trump discussing the election. Cuomo denied this, claiming he “can’t recall” the last interaction with Trump or having discussed the race with him.
Mamdani also shared a video highlighting Cuomo’s reluctance to disclose his consulting clients, urging him to make his list public after years in the consulting business.
Mamdani currently leads the general election polls by a double-digit margin, with the remaining candidates dividing the opposition vote against him.
