If you’ve lived in New York for any length of time, you know the housing conversation is endless. Every politician has a plan, every administration promises change, and yet rents keep climbing, inventory stays tight, and families in the middle feel increasingly squeezed.
Now, with the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity approved and two very different candidates — Zohran Mamdani and Andrew Cuomo — shaping the next mayoral race, it’s worth asking: what does this really mean for New Yorkers, and who is most likely to turn zoning reform into neighborhoods people can actually live in?
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What the City of Yes Actually Does
The City of Yes is about removing unnecessary barriers. It allows empty offices to become apartments, buildings above shops to house families, parking requirements to be more reasonable, and smaller, energy-efficient buildings to appear across the city.
It’s a smart, modern plan. But zoning alone won’t fix the housing crisis. Leadership matters. How these rules are implemented, and who benefits most, will determine whether this “yes” reaches everyone — not just the ultra-rich or the deeply subsidized, but the families living in the middle.
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Zohran Mamdani: equity first
Mamdani has been very clear about where he stands: housing is a right. His platform focuses on permanent affordability, protecting tenants, and keeping speculative developers in check.
There’s a lot to admire here. Mamdani understands the human side of housing — he sees the renters, families, teachers, and small business owners struggling to keep up. But principle alone doesn’t produce new units. His record on delivering large-scale construction is limited, and the challenge will be translating vision into homes.
If elected, expect the City of Yes under Mamdani to be guided by fairness and tenant protections. These priorities are essential, but without incentives for developers, the pace of development could slow. His success will depend on finding that balance.
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Andrew Cuomo: scale and speed
Cuomo brings a different perspective. He’s an operator, someone who knows how to navigate bureaucracy and get projects moving. His housing approach emphasizes scale, speed, and partnerships with developers.
The risk? In the past, Cuomo’s policies often favored high-end developments, leaving middle- and lower-income families behind. His City of Yes would likely accelerate construction and increase supply, but it raises the question: will those units serve the families who need them most?
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Two visions of “yes”
Both candidates recognize the urgency. Both support the City of Yes. But they emphasize different things.
Mamdani’s yes is about equity and fairness. Cuomo’s yes is about execution and volume.
Between those two visions is the city’s silent middle: families that earn too much for subsidies but not enough to feel secure. Teachers, nurses, small business owners — the people who keep New York alive. Housing policy has to include them too.
All of this can happen without alienating New York’s wealthy and ultra-wealthy residents. We still need New York City to be aspirational, ambitious, and vibrant. The beauty of this city is that the mega-rich walk the same streets as students, service workers, and families. That mix is rare in American cities. It’s one of the things that makes New York special, and it’s worth preserving.
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The real question
New York doesn’t just need a City of Yes. It needs a City of Balance — a city that grows thoughtfully, builds affordability without slowing opportunity, and keeps neighborhoods alive for everyone.
Mamdani and Cuomo have the tools to deliver that balance. The real test will be whether they can turn policy into neighborhoods that feel like home for all New Yorkers — not just a select few.
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About the Author
Zina Talmasov is a licensed NYC realtor and educator with a background in science. She writes about housing, city life, and policy with insight drawn from both lived experience and analytical perspective.
