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More than half of New York City residents struggle to pay their rent, with many spending more than 50% of their income on rent. Over 40% of the population has had to cut back on essentials such as groceries or health care to afford their rent.

These are just some of the statistics that encapsulate how dire the housing situation is in New York City. People who have lived here for years are finding that they are now unable to keep up with rising costs and are desperate for change, which is why polls show overwhelming support for candidates that back rent stabilization and investment in social housing. Social housing, also known as public housing, is refers to affordable housing that is provided by the government or non-profit organizations. Social housing focuses on community ownership, democratic control, and is protected from fluctuations in the market.

Now, it is clearer than ever that New Yorkers want to elect officials that will decrease the cost of living by investing in social housing, preventing rent hikes, and holding landlords accountable for increasing rent without reason.

New Yorkers agree on two main solutions to the housing problem: increasing regulations on landlords, and increasing investments in affordable housing. Many people feel as though landlords increase rent unjustifiably, and that state interference is needed to put a stop to it. Secondly, over 46% of New Yorkers believe that additional funding is needed to support public housing initiatives.

Given all this information, it's no surprise that elections in New York City are affected by the housing crisis. Just recently, Zohran Mamdani won the New York City Democratic mayoral primary, an outcome that surprised many. However, when looking at Mamdani's campaign, it is not so shocking that he won. His focus on affordability while calling out politicians who seem to be unaware of the high cost of living made many New Yorkers feel seen. He vowed to freeze the prices on rent-stabilized apartments, and considering that housing tends to be the biggest expense for New Yorkers, it's natural that they would feel compelled to vote for him.

But the mayoral primaries are not the only election that will be impacted by housing scarcity. Next year, gubernatorial elections will be held, with current Governor Kathy Hochul and Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. Delgado plans to focus on the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), which helps families at risk of eviction, facing homelessness, and living in unsafe conditions. Hochul, on the other hand, believes that housing should be built first and is put off by the HAVP due to costs; however, residents are against this as they believe more regulations for landlords need to be put in place. Hochul is also against raising taxes for the rich, claiming that higher taxes will lead to them leaving the city, while others point out that people are already leaving due to high costs. Wages seem to remain stagnant, while rent only increases, which is the primary cause of out migration in New York. In order to preserve the city's economy and culture, it is vital that steps are taken to increase affordable housing.

This is why investing in organizations such as Gravity Foundation is so important. Gravity Foundation strives to increase home ownership and educate the new generations of homeowners. By offering financial guidance, providing renter/owner counseling, and improving quality of life, Gravity Foundation is working hard to increase accessibility to home ownership, which is what the people want.

As the years go by, New York is only getting more expensive, and much of the youth are uneducated when it comes to the financial landscape. Gravity Foundation can help people who are lost on how to find affordable housing and provide the financial support that they need. Whether it is first generation Americans, low-income individuals, or families facing eviction, Gravity Foundation can provide assistance to anyone looking for a home within reach, so tell us how housing scarcity affects you.
 
Article: https://www.cityandstateny.com/politics/2025/08/new-yorkers-favor-rent-stabilization-and-social-housing-solve-housing-crisis-new-poll-shows/407246/
Key words: mayoral primaries, NYC election, gubernatorial election, housing crisis, social housing, affordable housing, affordable homes, landlords, rent hikes, home owners, Zohran Mamdani, democratic mayoral primaries, mayoral election, struggle to pay rent, Housing Access Voucher Program
Author Bio: Khadija Rehman is a student at CUNY pursuing a BBA. Born and raised in NYC, she knows first-hand how expensive the city can be, and believes there needs to be change to improve affordability.