Andrew Cuomo, a candidate for New York City mayor, announced a legislative proposal dubbed “Zohran’s Law,” aimed at preventing wealthy individuals from occupying rent-controlled and rent-stabilized housing units. The former governor revealed his plan via social media, directly challenging political rival Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani.
"Today, I am proud to announce that I will be proposing ‘Zohran’s law,' a law that will keep the rich out of New York’s affordable housing," Cuomo stated in his tweet, directly addressing Mamdani. He questioned, "you say freeze the rent. But for who? Rich people like you? Hardworking, working class New Yorkers are being pushed from their neighborhoods."
The proposed law seeks to introduce a "means test" to ensure that affordable housing is allocated to those genuinely in need, rather than individuals with substantial incomes. Cuomo emphasized the urgency of the issue, highlighting that "Let’s build affordable housing that helps the people who need it. Under Zohran’s law, landlords can no longer rent vacant rent-controlled units to the wealthy."
Cuomo’s announcement comes amid a heated mayoral race, where he is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani. He has consistently criticized Mamdani, a State Assemblyman earning $142,000 annually, for residing in a rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria, which rents for $2,300 per month. Cuomo dramatically asserted, "Somewhere last night in New York City, a single mother and her children slept at a homeless shelter because you, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani, are occupying her rent-controlled apartment."
Mamdani’s campaign has dismissed Cuomo’s accusations as political opportunism. Campaign spokeswoman Dora Pekec characterized Cuomo’s attacks as "desperate mudslinging," arguing that Mamdani is focused on addressing the city’s affordability crisis. Mamdani’s campaign noted that he began renting the apartment when his income was significantly lower, at $47,000.
Cuomo’s initiative underscores the ongoing debate over housing equity and the severe affordability crisis plaguing New York City. His proposal aims to reallocate housing resources to working-class New Yorkers, asserting that it is "past time we address this injustice. Let’s build a new NYC that works for the people who need it."