Mayor Adams Reflects on Housing Achievements Amid Controversy
As Mayor Eric Adams prepares to leave Gracie Mansion, he is highlighting his administration’s contribution to potential housing growth, claiming the groundwork for 130,000 new apartments has been laid during his term.
“The record speaks for itself,” he mentioned, although the data isn’t without its flaws. Adams’ time in office has also been marred by corruption scandals, with multiple associates facing indictments related to bribery and campaign finance infractions. This scrutiny has led to the dismissal of a federal corruption probe against him.
Even though he labeled the corruption allegations as “completely false,” his approval ratings have plummeted. Adams decided to withdraw from seeking re-election in late September.
Despite the challenges, the outgoing mayor has often characterized his time in office as “the most pro-housing administration in New York City history.”
He pointed to the City of Yes initiative as a significant hurdle while launching ambitious housing reforms. This program, marketed with the phrase “A little more housing in every neighborhood,” represents the first significant change to urban zoning in six decades. It introduced measures such as allowing accessory dwelling units, easing parking requirements, and enabling conversions of office spaces to residential units.
City Hall anticipates that this initiative will facilitate the construction of 82,000 homes over the next fifteen years. When combined with the 48,000 homes from rezoning initiatives in the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens, the administration hopes to achieve the 130,000 homes target.
Adams admitted he lost some voter support due to his aggressive campaign for increasing housing density.
Looking ahead, he expressed cautious optimism about handing off his housing policies to Mayor-elect Zoran Mamdani, who has acknowledged the merit of the City of Yes program.
Adams emphasized that Mamdani must navigate the challenges within the housing landscape, particularly since many who advocate for housing rights may simultaneously create barriers to housing development. “I’m leaving him with a foundational plan,” Adams remarked.
However, these foundations could be precarious. Recently, he faced backlash for changing his stance on the demolition of the Elizabeth Street Gardens and saw his proposal to raise rents for low-income residents through city vouchers blocked by the City Council.
Additionally, Adams has raised concerns about the impact of a citywide rent freeze—one of Mamdani’s proposed policies—arguing that being overly idealistic could lead to unrealistic outcomes. He noted that stable housing constitutes a significant portion of the city’s rental supply and is already seen as an attractive investment, now threatened by escalating repair, labor, and insurance costs.
“Too many restrictions could deter small property owners from making purchases, ultimately hurting communities because homes would remain in disrepair,” he said.
As he looks to the future, Adams plans to return to his roots in Brooklyn after his term. He expressed a desire to enjoy the life of a homeowner again, looking forward to relaxing in his backyard.
The home he’s referring to is similar to the four-story townhouse in Bedford-Stuyvesant that he showcased during his campaign. Although he has spent considerable time in New Jersey, Adams remains optimistic about acquiring homes across multiple boroughs in the coming years.
Before exiting, he shared some advice for his successor, urging Mamdani to remain firm on housing policies, even if they lead to unpopularity. “He must be bold enough to take risks,” Adams concluded.
