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Should Zohran Mamdani get to live in a rent-stabilized unit? We asked his neighbors.
By
Brigid Bergin
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Aug 16, 2025
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Brigid Bergin
By
Brigid Bergin
and
Elizabeth Kim
Published Aug 16, 2025
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The six-story apartment building in a gentrifying section of Astoria, Queens would be unremarkable were it not for its famous tenant: Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani.
But now the residence is at the center of a debate over whether Mamdani, who earns $142,000 a year as an assemblymember, should be able to live in a rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment costing $2,300 a month.
His rival Andrew Cuomo says no. The former governor argued that Mamdani was “stealing affordable housing from the poor.” He pitched “Zohran’s Law,” which would mandate that newly vacant rent-regulated units be rented only to New Yorkers who pay at least 30% of their income in rent. The proposal has sparked an ongoing conversation among many New Yorkers about the cost of living, and whether Mamdani’s focus on affordability rings hollow.
But most people who live in or near Mamdani’s building said Friday that they didn’t think the assemblymember’s income should disqualify him from renting his apartment.
“It’s just something they’re trying to use against him,” said Barbara Souza, 47, who lives in the building and has spotted Mamdani leaving in the mornings. “It’s not indecent or immoral.”
Mamdani has said he moved into the building when he was making $47,000 a year as a foreclosure counselor. He said he was unaware that the apartment, which he found on StreetEasy, was rent stabilized. The building has an elevator and laundry room.
“It’s comfortable, but it’s nothing special,” Souza said.
Cuomo lives in an $8,000-a-month luxury apartment in Midtown.
Cuomo lives in the Oriana building, which features a pet spa, library, roof deck and other luxury amenities.
Brigid Bergin
Some New Yorkers, including housing experts, pointed out that Cuomo’s proposal for means testing would require tenants to meet the definition of rent-burdened. Landlords are often wary of renting to tenants who spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
“That’s Andrew Cuomo being a hack,” said Cailyn Schiltz, a 25-year-old communications professional who lives in a market-rate building down the block. She said such a law “would effectively kick out the middle class.”
She scoffed at Cuomo’s suggestion that Mamdani should give up his apartment to a homeless family.
“A homeless family cannot afford that rent,” she said. “That’s ridiculous.”
Schiltz, who lives with her fiancé, said they pay $3,100 a month in rent. She said that she wished she could have found a rent-stabilized apartment.
“I would love to be in the city for the rest of my life,” she said. “Being able to afford it is key.”
She added that she did not think Mamdani’s salary made him wealthy.
“Anyone who's lived in New York City for longer than 30 seconds can tell you that that amount of money isn't going to go very far,” she said.
Mamdani lives in the building with his wife, who is an illustrator. Landlords of rent-stabilized units are only able to raise rent by a percentage set by the city’s Rent Guidelines Board. New one-year leases will rise by 3% starting in October.
Zohran Mamdani earns $142,000 as an assemblymember representing Queens.
Patrick Dodson/Gothamist
Cuomo’s proposal would not evict someone with Mamdani’s income from a rent-stabilized apartment, but would not allow someone of the assemblymember’s means to move in.
Adrien Bazelais said his apartment is four doors down from Mamdani’s building. It is not rent stabilized. The 81-year-old wore a baseball cap noting his status as a veteran. Asked about Cuomo’s criticism of Mamdani’s rent, Bazelais said flatly, “I don’t like either of them.”
Several people said a rent-stabilized apartment was the only way to make life work in the city.
Aaron Kapner, 48, said he opposed Cuomo’s proposal for means testing, which would determine eligibility by income, for rent-stabilized apartments. Kapner is an actor who also works in food service and lives a few blocks from Mamdani in his own rent-stabilized apartment.
Kapner, who said he voted for the Democratic nominee, called Cuomo’s proposal “unfair.” He also cited the stress of other increasing living costs, like health care.
“ I think if you're lucky enough to get into a rent-stabilized apartment and you stay there, then it should stay [rent-stabilized],” Kapner said.
Tagged
Politics
queens
Brigid Bergin
Brigid Bergin is an award-winning senior reporter on the People and Power desk. She is fiercely committed to telling stories that help people engage and support democracy. In 2022, she hosted a live, ten-week call-in politics show ahead of the midterm elections called The People's Guide to Power. Brigid's reporting in 2017 included some of the first coverage of a political newcomer now known as AOC. In 2016, she broke the news of a voter purge in Brooklyn just days before New York’s presidential primary, triggering city, state and federal investigations. Brigid also guest hosts The Brian Lehrer Show and All Of It. She graduated from the University at Albany and the CUNY Newmark School of Journalism. Got a tip? Email [email protected] or Signal 917-723-4719.
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Elizabeth Kim
Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email [email protected]
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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