On May 26th, Mayor Zohran Mamdani took a historic step forward for New York City’s working families by unveiling “Block by Block: The Housing Plan for a New Era.” This comprehensive, $22 billion strategy sets an ambitious and necessary goal: building and preserving 400,000 affordable homes over the next decade.
At Fifth Avenue Committee (FAC), we have spent decades fighting for the principle that housing is a human right. We know firsthand that New York City’s housing crisis demands bold solutions that recognize the need for urgent action to build and preserve affordable housing and protect tenants. Mayor Mamdani’s plan directly addresses these needs, laying out multiple strategies to make New York City more affordable for working people.
Grounding Policy in Our Neighborhoods: The Gowanus Tour
Before taking the stage to announce the plan to the public, Mayor Mamdani joined FAC leadership and community members for a firsthand look at how these citywide policies intersect with local realities.
Joined by Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg, HPD Commissioner Dina Levy, Cea Weaver, Councilmember Shahana Hanif, former Councilmember Brad Lander, and FAC Executive Director Michelle de la Uz, Mayor Mamdani toured Gowanus housing sites that show the full spectrum of neighborhood investment—from FAC’s future 100% affordable development at 153 Nevins and preservation work at 257 3rd Avenue to NYCHA’s Wyckoff Gardens and Domain’s mixed-income project at 420 Carroll Street—all within a 20-minute walk. Along the way, he heard directly from FAC tenant, Ashely Perez, and Wyckoff Gardens Resident Association leader, Valerie Bell, about why affordable housing matters to them and to New York City.
Reflecting on the significance of the visit and the administration’s new strategy, Michelle de la Uz, Executive Director of FAC, shared:
“FAC was proud to tour Gowanus with Mayor Mamdani prior to his “Block by Block” housing plan announcement where protecting tenants and building and preserving affordable and public housing were lifted up as equally important goals that his administration will prioritize.”
What “Block by Block” Means for Our Communities
The $22 billion plan outlines a balanced, multifaceted approach to achieving true housing justice across the five boroughs, focusing on goals that FAC and our partners have long advocated for:
- Investment in Affordability: Funding to build 200,000 new affordable homes and preserve 200,000 existing units, ensuring that low- and moderate-income New Yorkers aren’t priced out of their own city.
- Revitalizing Public Housing: Critical capital investments directed toward NYCHA complexes to repair aging infrastructure and guarantee safe, dignified living conditions for residents.
- Stronger Tenant Protections: Aggressive code enforcement to hold negligent landlords accountable and robust protections to prevent displacement and combat housing insecurity.
The Road Ahead
An ambitious plan requires an equally ambitious commitment to execution. While the announcement represents a major milestone, the real work begins now.
FAC stands ready to partner with the Mamdani administration, fellow advocacy organizations, and—most importantly—our neighbors to ensure that the promises of “Block by Block” become a reality on the ground. Together, we will continue to build, preserve, and organize to ensure that New York City is a diverse, affordable, and vibrant place for everyone to call home.
Want to learn more? * 🔗 Read the full “Block by Block” announcement here.
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