After his stunning victory in the New York mayoral elections, Zohran Mamdani faces the challenge of turning his ambitious promises into policy. Here’s what his plans for New York look like.
1 / 7After his stunning victory in the New York mayoral elections, Zohran Mamdani now faces the challenge of turning his ambitious promises into policy. Running under the slogan “A City for the Many, Not the Few,” he has pledged a sweeping affordability agenda — from free childcare and public transit to rent freezes and new public housing. Here’s what Mamdani’s plan for New York looks like. (Image: Reuters)
2 / 7Housing and Rent Reform | Addressing the housing crisis is at the core of Mamdani’s vision. He plans to freeze rents on all rent-stabilised apartments, reverse rent hikes in city-owned housing, build 200,000 permanently affordable homes over the next decade, and double funding for public-housing preservation. These measures aim to stabilise housing costs and make living in the city affordable for working-class New Yorkers. (Image: Canva)
3 / 7Universal Childcare for Every Family | New York has some of the highest childcare costs in the world — a burden Mamdani aims to eliminate. His plan promises free childcare for all children under five, expanding on the pre-K and 3-K programmes launched under Bill de Blasio. The initiative would be funded through higher taxes on corporations and high-income earners. (Image: Canva)
4 / 7Fare-Free Buses | One of Mamdani’s key transit promises is to make all city buses free by 2027. He also plans to expand dedicated bus lanes to reduce commute times and cut congestion. The policy would be funded by raising corporate and millionaire tax rates, promoting public mobility as a shared civic investment. (Image: Canva)
5 / 7City-Run Grocery Stores | To relieve rising food costs, Mamdani proposes five government-subsidised grocery stores, one in each borough. The city would utilise public land, purchase produce wholesale, and waive property taxes for these stores — all aimed at reducing prices for residents. (Image: Canva)
6 / 7How Mamdani Plans to Fund His Agenda | Mamdani’s affordability plan is built on the principle that high-income earners should contribute more. To fund universal childcare, free buses, and affordable housing, he proposes increasing the corporate tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5% and introducing a 2% wealth tax on New Yorkers earning above $1 million annually. He argues this approach will create a fairer distribution of city resources while keeping New York’s economy strong. (Image: Canva)
7 / 7Can He Deliver? | While Mamdani’s victory marks a turning point in New York politics, the true test lies in translating campaign promises into practical governance. (Image: Reuters)
