8 Months in: tracking Mamdani's biggest promises
Zohran Mamdani took office in January on the most ambitious affordability platform in recent city history. Eight months later, several of his signature pledges are on track, while some are in limbo.
Freeze the rent
On June 25 the Rent Guidelines Board voted 7-1 to freeze rents on both one- and two-year leases, covering roughly one million rent-stabilized apartments. It is the first two-year freeze in the board's history — and it goes into effect on October 1.
Free universal childcare
Free childcare for two-year-olds begins this month with 2,000 places, expanding to 12,000 next year and citywide by 2029. Mamdani has also added 2,000 free 3-K places across 56 ZIP codes and reopened nine vacant childcare centres.
Protect delivery workers
The city won nearly $5 million in restitution from three delivery apps and secured Uber's agreement to reinstate up to 10,000 wrongly deactivated workers. Forcing apps to restore the tip button has earned workers a further $104 million.
City-owned grocery stores
No stores have opened yet, but two of five sites are selected — a Bronx store due in 2027 and an East Harlem store by 2029, backed by $70 million and a pledge of 30 percent discounts on essential groceries.
Build 200,000 affordable homes
The city funded 12,500 affordable homes in the first half of 2026, below the pace the pledge requires. But Mamdani has a $22 billion housing plan and sites already identified for 50,000 homes — a quarter of the target.
Tackle deed theft
Mamdani opened a dedicated office in April under attorney Peter White and paused city lien sales for six months — but its $1 million annual budget falls short of the $10 million he pledged.
Create a Department of Community Safety
Mamdani opened an Office of Community Safety, combining violence prevention, hate crime and mental health programs under one deputy mayor. The city has yet to set out how it becomes the full department he promised.
Tax the rich
New York State passed a pied-à-terre tax in May, effective July, aiming to raise about $500 million a year — the first such tax in state history. But Governor Hochul refused the millionaire surcharge and corporate rate rise Mamdani campaigned on.
Make buses fast and free
Stalled. Fares remain $3. The mayor doesn't control the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) — the state does — and Governor Hochul has not backed Mamdani’s plan.
Raise the minimum wage to $30
The minimum wage remains $17. A Council bill introduced in March has not progressed, and it is unclear whether the city can raise the wage without state approval.
Learn more in the Mamdani Bulletin Policy Tracker.