As early voting is underway to decide who will be the next Mayor of Gotham – polling is showing unanimous support for key housing measures.
NYC residents, through November 4, can approve three ballot housing initiatives: One fast-tracks affordable housing applications, another simplifies the review process for modest projects and the other establishes an appeals board. The latter takes away some power from the City Council and can strike down or override a rejected affordable housing decision.
A new poll commissioned by the Partnership for New York and conducted by the Morning Consult that surveyed 581 registered voters found that 70 percent of New Yorkers support fast-tracking applications. This includes 85 percent of likely Zohran Mamdani voters (the Democratic nominee) and 59 percent of Andrew Cuomo's (on the Fight and Deliver line). Two-thirds support the appeals board, including 77 percent of Mamdani and 60 percent of Cuomo. Lastly, the simpler review process has 67 percent support (76 percent of Mamdani and 60 percent of Cuomo).
“The results of this poll make clear that New Yorkers understand the urgency of our housing crisis and the need for swift, meaningful reform,” Kathryn Wylde, president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City, said in a statement.
“Two-thirds of New Yorkers back these ballot measures to fast-track, streamline, and simplify housing production and start building the affordable homes that working families deserve."
The measures come as NYC faces a housing affordability crisis; rents in the metro accelerated by 5.4 percent year-over-year to hit $3,599 in the third quarter, according to a report from Realtor. A big issue is the lack of supply in the market and the hope is that the ballot initiatives (if approved) will be a part of the solution in the city. But the electorate will decide.
Mamdani, the overwhelming favorite to lead Gotham next, with Kalshi's latest odds giving the Democratic socialist a 93 percent chance to win, has proposed other solutions to tackle the affordability crisis. This includes advocating for a rent freeze, free buses, raising the minimum wage to $30 per hour and building 200,000 affordable homes.
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