Pro-housing-development ballot measures and the election of Zohran Mamdani

In a recent election, New York City voters approved key charter changes that transfer zoning powers from the city council to the mayor, marking a significant political shift. This reform was supported by a coalition that helped elect Mayor Zohran Mamdani and included areas historically aligned with Andrew Cuomo. In contrast, opposition came mainly from neighborhoods that backed both Cuomo and Donald Trump, indicating a decline in the influence of the small-homeowner coalition that had previously supported past mayors like Edward Koch and Michael Bloomberg.The election results underscore the increasing political power of densely populated areas in northern Brooklyn and western Queens, where new housing developments have attracted a younger, college-educated demographic. These areas, which supported Mamdani and the charter amendments, contrast with regions that voted against the proposals, many of which are now associated with a Republican stance in a largely Democratic city. This shift reveals a complex political landscape that has transformed voter alliances, especially as the city grapples with a severe housing crisis.

The success of the charter amendments is tied to changing attitudes within the Democratic establishment toward housing development. The governing Democratic coalition has begun to support new housing initiatives while implementing stringent rent regulations and ensuring the inclusion of below-market units. The charter reform proposals received a higher percentage of support compared to Mamdani, reflecting this new consensus despite fewer overall voters choosing to express their opinions on the amendments.

The recent political evolution has transitioned from a “Left-NIMBYism” stance—where politicians resisted new housing development to protect existing neighborhoods—to a “Left-YIMBYism” approach, recognizing the urgent need for housing supply amid low vacancy rates. This transformation, prompted by a drastic decline in rental availability post-2019 rent stabilization changes, has led to renewed policy actions that favor development and more flexibility in zoning laws, including the reinstatement of the One45 housing project in Harlem.

While these reforms represent progress in addressing the housing crisis, the measures implemented so far may not fully resolve issues of affordability. They lean heavily on a framework of regulations that could limit the potential for unrestricted private investment in new housing. As New York City navigates this critical moment, advocates will need to continue pushing for broader reforms to achieve genuine housing affordability, reflecting a necessity for ongoing organizing and persuasion among residents and policymakers alike.