DSA-Backed Candidates Win NYC Primaries, Shifting Housing Policy Landscape

A significant electoral shift in New York City saw numerous candidates endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) achieve victories in recent primaries. This electoral success, featuring wins for figures like Claire Valdez, Darializa Avila Chevalier, Emily Gallagher, Illapa Sairitupac, and Samantha Kattan, is poised to influence the city’s approach to pressing housing challenges.

The immediate aftermath of these primaries includes a landmark decision by the Rent Guidelines Board to freeze rents for nearly one million rent-stabilized apartments. This freeze, affecting both one- and two-year leases starting October 1, was a central promise of Zohran Mamdani’s platform and represents a significant win for progressive housing advocates.

Key facts
| Aspect | Detail |
| :———————- | :——————————————————————- |
| Election outcome | DSA-endorsed candidates secured victories in NYC primaries. |
| Rent stabilization | Rent freeze for nearly 1 million apartments, effective October 1. |
| Social Housing (SHDA) | Bill to create a state-run Social Housing Development Authority. |
| Public Housing (NYCHA) | Debates around RAD/PACT conversion versus Section 9 preservation. |

New Progressive Housing Agendas

Several newly elected progressives have made housing affordability a cornerstone of their campaigns. Candidates such as Valdez, who will represent the 7th Congressional District, and those heading to Albany like Kattan (37th Assembly District) and Sairitupac (65th Assembly District), are vocal supporters of a proposed bill to establish a new Social Housing Development Authority (SHDA).

This SHDA, originally proposed in 2024, aims to empower the state to develop publicly owned housing utilizing union labor. The bill has gained momentum, with its sponsorship growing significantly in the last year, according to Iziah Thompson of House the Future (HTF), a DSA wing actively lobbying for the legislation. Thompson expressed optimism, noting that many candidates explicitly discussed the SHDA during their campaigns, a development he considers a hopeful sign for addressing the housing crisis.

Future advocacy efforts by HTF are expected to intensify, particularly concerning debates in Albany on the state housing plan, rural housing initiatives, community land trusts, adaptive reuse projects, and the preservation of existing public and Mitchell-Lama housing. A key focus will be amplifying the voices of residents currently living in social housing.

Divergent Approaches to Public Housing

Despite the general progressive alignment, public housing policy perspectives among elected officials are not monolithic. The Mayor’s FY27 financial plan, if enacted, includes a $1.5 billion allocation for converting public housing under Section 9 to private Section 8 housing.

This potential move contrasts with the positions adopted by some newly elected officials. Chevalier, who unseated Adriano Espaillat in New York’s 13th Congressional District, has endorsed a program called Citywide Solutions for Section 9. This initiative advocates for a moratorium on RAD/PACT and the Preservation Trust, while outlining a funding strategy for Section 9 public housing.

Similarly, Brad Lander, representing New York’s 10th Congressional District, has voiced criticism of RAD/PACT and supported comprehensive modernization of Section 9 public housing. While open to RAD/PACT if NYCHA residents approve, his focus remains on modernization.

Advocacy for Preservation

Public housing advocacy groups, including Save Section 9 and Residents to Preserve Public Housing, are urging elected officials to halt RAD/PACT conversion projects and commit to preserving Section 9 public housing. Ramona Ferreyra, founder of Save Section 9, emphasized the opportunity for the new slate of elected officials to invest in Section 9, which she describes as the only program offering true affordability.

Marquis Jenkins, formerly of Residents to Preserve Public Housing, has called for the implementation of binding resident governance, genuine co-governance structures, and resident veto power over any proposed changes to NYCHA residents’ homes. He argues that the government possesses the means for such actions, but political will is needed to collaborate with residents on preservation, modernization, and expansion efforts.

The future of NYCHA’s Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea (FEC) Houses was a significant issue in recent local elections. Candidates opposing the demolition of these houses garnered support from advocacy groups like FEC Tenants Against Demolition. However, the recent election of Carl Wilson to the City Council District 3 seat and Micah Lasher to the 12th Congressional District in the 12th District indicates a different direction for these specific developments. Residents of FEC Houses have expressed disappointment that elected officials have not consistently supported their fight against demolition plans, which involve private developers Related and Essence.

This electoral outcome suggests a complex and evolving housing policy debate in New York City, with progressive victories bringing new priorities to the forefront while existing challenges and development plans continue to shape the urban landscape.

Source: The Architect’s Newspaper, https://www.archpaper.com/2026/06/new-york-city-primaries-housing/

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