BROOKLYN, New York (WABC) — Newly-inaugurated New York Metropolis Mayor Zohran Mamdani hit the bottom operating on Thursday afternoon, signing three govt orders designed to confront the town’s housing disaster.
One govt order will revive the Mayor’s Workplace to Defend Tenants, which is able to function a central coordinating physique to defend tenants’ rights, stand as much as landlords, and guarantee metropolis companies act swiftly on behalf of renters going through unsafe or unlawful situations.
Cea Weaver, who at the moment serves as govt director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc, will lead the Mayor’s Workplace to Defend Tenants as govt director.
“In the present day, on the primary day of this new administration, on the day the place so many lease funds are due, we won’t wait to ship motion. We are going to arise on behalf of the tenants of this metropolis,” mentioned Mayor Zohran Mamdani.
The opposite two govt orders set up job forces associated to accelerating housing improvement.
The LIFT (Land Stock Quick Monitor) job power will determine city-owned properties appropriate for housing improvement.
The SPEED (Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Growth) job power will determine and take away bureaucratic and allowing limitations that drive up prices and gradual the development of housing.
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Mayor Zohran Mamdani took the oath of workplace at an inauguration ceremony in the present day.
The duty forces will probably be overseen by the deputy mayor for housing and planning.
The press convention was held at 85 Clarkson Avenue in Brooklyn, a rent-stabilized constructing, the place residents are threatening a lease strike.
The constructing, owned by Pinnacle Realty, is certainly one of 90-plus buildings in chapter proceedings set to be auctioned off to a distinct landlord who ranks No. 6 on the checklist of worst landlords in New York Metropolis, in accordance with Mamdani.
He mentioned the town will probably be taking motion within the chapter case, and can step in to symbolize the pursuits of the town and tenants.
“Town of New York has not lacked for instruments or techniques. Town of New York has lacked for intent,” he mentioned of the town’s authorized motion with landlord Pinnacle.
He has tasked Steve Banks, newly appointed as counsel company, to take motion.
Along with the housing-related govt orders, Mamdani additionally signed two others quickly after taking workplace.
One order revoked all govt orders issued after Sept. 26, 2024, the day former New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams was indicted. Mamdani mentioned “that was a date that marked a second when many New Yorkers determined politics held nothing for them.”
A second order established that Mamdani may have 5 deputy mayors, lower than throughout the Adams administration.
“In the present day marks step one in constructing an administration that works for all New Yorkers,” mentioned Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “We have established the foundations of it, and now it is time to ship on our affordability agenda, sort out the challenges going through New Yorkers, and usher in a brand new period for New York Metropolis – one which proves that authorities can ship for working folks.”
When requested about the way forward for the Hire Pointers Board, Mamdani mentioned, “I proceed to be assured that the Hire Pointers Board will assess the panorama of tenants for rent-stabilized items throughout this metropolis and discover they’re in dire want of aid.”
Additionally, Mamdani mentioned he’ll preserve the recently-created Mayor’s Workplace to Fight Antisemitism.
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