New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani Launches Housing Initiatives

New York, United States – Crowds gathered across Lower Manhattan to celebrate the inauguration of Zohran Mamdani as the new mayor of New York City. The event, which unfolded over two days, featured a unique blend of traditional and modern elements, reflecting Mamdani's progressive vision for the city.

Mamdani's official swearing-in took place shortly after midnight on New Year's Day, with the New York State Attorney General Letitia James administering the oath at a historic subway station that has been closed to passengers since 1945. He used two Qurans for the ceremony, one borrowed from the New York Public Library and another that belonged to his grandfather.

The public celebration followed on January 1, where Mamdani took the oath again on the steps of City Hall. Despite low temperatures, thousands of supporters attended the event, eager to witness the formal assumption of office by the city’s first democratic socialist mayor.

Alongside Mamdani were notable figures including New York City Comptroller Mark Levine and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. They were joined by national political leaders such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Bernie Sanders, who spoke about the significance of this new political era.

In his speech, Senator Sanders emphasised the power of unity among working people, stating, "When working people stand, when they don’t let them [the ultra-wealthy] divide us up, there is nothing that we cannot accomplish."

The inauguration included a seven-block-long public block party, a departure from the typical ticketed format of such events, allowing more New Yorkers to participate. This approach aimed to engage citizens who often feel excluded from the political process. Democratic strategist Nomiki Konst remarked that it represented an effort to open up political participation to a broader audience.

Mamdani, Williams, and Levine addressed the crowd in multiple languages, aiming to foster unity among New Yorkers of diverse backgrounds. Levine noted the symbolic significance of their swearing-in ceremonies, which included using different religious texts.

Mamdani reiterated a central theme of his campaign: the need for increased taxes on the wealthy. He proposed raising New York City's corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5% and increasing taxes by 2% for individuals earning over $1 million annually. Any tax reforms would require approval from state authorities.

"Demanding that the wealthy and large corporations start paying their fair share of taxes is not radical. It is exactly the right thing to do," Sanders stated as supporters chanted, "Tax the rich."

Housing policy is a cornerstone of Mamdani's agenda, with a commitment to freeze rent on stabilised apartments, which constitute a significant portion of the city’s rental market. He emphasised that those living in these homes should not fear continual rent hikes.

Mamdani swiftly introduced a series of executive orders aimed at addressing the housing crisis. "On the first day of this new administration, on the day when so many rent payments are due, we will not wait to deliver action," he declared during a news conference in Brooklyn.

His plans include establishing two city task forces focused on assessing city-owned land for housing development and finding innovative solutions to spur construction. Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning, highlighted the importance of these initiatives, stating, "The housing crisis is at the centre of our affordability crisis. There are a number of things we are going to be focused on: protecting tenants, going after bad landlords, and building more housing."

Mamdani's administration aims to bring about significant changes to housing policies and address the broader issues of affordability in New York City. As the new mayor embarks on this journey, his commitment to inclusivity and progressive taxation remains at the forefront of his agenda.