Stability in rent and social housing are preferred solutions among New Yorkers to address the city's housing crisis, according to a recent survey.
In a recent poll conducted from July 1 to July 11, 1067 New Yorkers shared their views on the state's housing affordability issues. The survey, which has a margin of error of 3 percentage points, revealed a strong emphasis on rent stabilization and social housing investments as the top political priorities for 2026.
A slight majority of 51% of respondents believe the best way to lower rents is by limiting rent hikes and investing public dollars in building affordable housing. This preference is particularly prominent in Long Island, where a majority of residents favour incentivizing private development, as opposed to other regions that prefer rent stabilization.
The poll also revealed a strong perception that landlords raise rents unfairly. 64% of respondents hold this view, with the Finger Lakes and the Mid-Hudson region expressing the most hostility towards landlords, with 70% of respondents in both regions stating that too many landlords raise rents unfairly.
The political landscape is being shaped by these concerns, with high-profile elections being influenced by candidates' commitments to housing affordability. For instance, Zohran Mamdani's victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary was significantly influenced by his stance on housing affordability.
Moreover, 69% of respondents said they would be more likely to support a candidate who backed rent stabilization, and 68% expressed support for public investments in social housing. Zohran Mamdani's promise to freeze the prices of rent-stabilized apartments resonated with voters.
Housing is the largest monthly expense for most New Yorkers, and the poll found that concerns about the cost of housing are prevalent throughout the state. 26% of New Yorkers are considering leaving due to unaffordable costs. In regions such as Western New York and the Mid-Hudson, 40% and 43% of respondents, respectively, have had to cut back on essentials to meet housing costs.
Experts and advocates also emphasize other political priorities to address the housing affordability crisis. These include changing restrictive zoning laws to enable more affordable housing production, advocating for strong tenant protections and voucher reforms, and addressing expected funding cuts to federal housing programs that impact low-income families in New York City.
In conclusion, the political agenda in 2026 appears poised to balance rent control and tenant protection measures with efforts to increase affordable housing supply, particularly focusing on public investment and zoning reform, as these reflect voter preferences and the critical needs highlighted by advocacy groups and policymakers.
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