NYC mayor candidates talk housing, campaign promises at PIX11 forum

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NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) – With the mayoral primary just two weeks away, issues like housing, federal authority and the economy weigh heavily on New Yorkers' minds.
On Wednesday, PIX11 News asked the six leading mayoral candidates to share their big ideas for New York City's future, from free buses to one million new homes in 10 years.
NYC mayoral race tightens with Mamdani gaining on Cuomo
New Yorkers soon will weigh in on key races for the mayor, comptroller, public advocate and City Council seats. For more information on the upcoming primary election, click here.
Here's what the six leading candidates had to say about key issues at a PIX11 forum:
Cuomo admonished politicians who called for divestment from Israel or declared they would arrest Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu if he came to New York. Cuomo insinuated that such assertions breed hate.
On housing, Cuomo has said he will build or preserve 500,000 affordable housing units. Even still, he said voters should be wary of candidates who offer too many plans.
'Building housing is not that hard,' he said. 'It's just competence.'
The former governor promised to build 1,500 community-based beds for people experiencing severe mental illness. Community-based facilities will help avoid creating 'another Willowbrook,' he said.
Cuomo pointed to accomplishments during his time as governor, including the Second Avenue subway line, renovations of La Guardia and JFK airports, and policy related to hate crimes.
Asked about the controversy surrounding his reporting of COVID-related deaths in nursing homes, Cuomo said the issue has been over-politicized. Cuomo asserted that many states had higher rates of nursing home deaths than New York.
New York City should avoid becoming President Donald Trump's example of a failed Democratic city, like Los Angeles, amid deportation protests, Cuomo said. Advocates should work with city officials and law enforcement to organize protests and prepare for ICE raids, he said.
Cuomo's loyalties: Baseball: Yankees and Mets; Football: Giants and Jets; Subway line: Second Avenue subway; Borough: All of them
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Mamdani has proposed affordability solutions for the city, like free buses, a four-year rent freeze, and universal childcare. But how will he pay?
At PIX11's forum, Mamdani proposed a 2% increase in taxes for New Yorkers making $1 million or more per year and matching New Jersey's corporate income tax rate of 11.5%, solutions that require state action.
To address subway safety, Mamdani proposed deploying mental health outreach workers. Sending people with severe mental illness to facilities like Fountain House is less costly and more effective than Rikers Island, he said.
On the topic of antisemitism, Mamdani said his position is often misunderstood. He is troubled by the 'rise in antisemitism' in the city, which he would address with his proposed Department of Community Safety and increased funding for hate crime prevention.
Mamdani said he would not pursue Mayor Eric Adams' NYC-Israel Economic Council, proposed at the end of May to strengthen economic ties.
'I think that what we need is a mayor who is squarely focused on the affairs of NYC,' Mamdani told PIX11 News.
New York City needs a mayor who will stand up to Trump in the face of mass deportation efforts, he said. He would stand behind its sanctuary city laws, he said.
Zohran's loyalties: Baseball: Mets; Football: Giants; Pizza: Koronet Pizza; Park: Astoria Park; Subway line: N and 7; Borough: Queens
Lander said he supports New Yorkers' right to protest against the Trump administration and condemned recent deportation efforts. He called on the NYPD to protect the right to nonviolent protests but emphasized that no one has the right to break laws.
On antisemitism, Lander said he would revamp the Mayor's Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes while keeping Mayor Eric Adams' newly announced Office to Combat Antisemitism.
Lander plans to create 500,000 units of new affordable housing, noting he already invested in 'the creation and preservation of over 50,000 homes as comptroller.' He plans for development along the Interborough Express as well as city-owned golf courses.
As mayor, Lander said he will end street homelessness for people with serious mental illness as well as veterans. On involuntary removals, Lander said people may have to be hospitalized if they're a danger to themselves or others. Once taken off the street, the city needs to provide supportive housing units, he said.
Lander agreed to work with the federal government to secure funding for necessary programs, but said he would not collaborate on 'denying people due process…or on escalating conflict.'
Brad's loyalties: Sports team: NY Liberty; Baseball: St. Louis Cardinals; Subway line: F; Last Broadway show: Stereophonic; Borough: Brooklyn
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Stringer promised 'hundreds of thousands' more than the yearly average of about 25,000. The former comptroller said he will focus on two- and three-bedroom units for young, working people with families.
To make room for those apartments, Stringer plans to transform vacant, city-owned lots into affordable housing. On education, Stringer said the city needs tri-share child care, baseline 3-K and Pre-K, and longer school days.
Stringer suggested hiring 3,000 more cops to ride the trains, investing in mental health initiatives, and allowing for involuntary removals if necessary only if someone is 'about to harm someone or harm themselves.'
To pay for these mental health initiatives, Stringer said he would cut down on NYPD overtime by hiring more cops.
Making the city safer also means cracking down on antisemitism, Stringer said. He called himself a Zionist and committed to a zero-tolerance policy on antisemitism. He supports Mayor Eric Adams' proposed council to strengthen economic ties with Israel, calling it 'smart.'
Stringer says he would work with state and federal counterparts, including President Donald Trump, to do what's necessary for the city. Even still, Stringer said he is against the federal government's plan to send in the National Guard to deal with protests or have the NYPD work with ICE agents.
'We'll go through every legal channel to slow down the National Guard but ultimately the President has every legal authority,' Stringer said.
Scott's loyalties: Football: Jets; Baseball: Mets, Subway line: 2; Last Broadway show: Hamilton; Pizza spot: Joe's Pizza; Borough: Manhattan
Given the need to balance tenants' and small landlords' needs, a rent freeze should last under a year, Adams said. The current City Council Speaker said she is ready to tackle the city's housing shortage, noting her role in the passing of City of Yes, the 'most pro-housing victory in a generation.'
On involuntary removal, Adams emphasized the need for a 'continuum of care,' rather than an 'out of sight, out of mind' solution. It's a tool that should only be used on people who are dangerous, she said.
Adrienne Adams said she would continue the NYC-Isarel Economic Council proposed by Eric Adams. She expressed some concern with the mayor's recent executive order adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance's definition of anti-semitism.
On the issue of Trump, Adams said she would tell the National Guard to stand down should the president order its deployment. She will protect the city's sanctuary policies in the face of immigration crackdowns, she said.
Adrienne's loyalties: Baseball: Mets; Football: Jets; Pizza: Margherita Pizza; Last Broadway show: Purpose; Subway line: E; Borough: Queens
Myrie's affordable housing promises outpace many of his components – He's promising 1 million units of affordable housing in the next 10 years. His plan includes working with the private market to incentivize building, he said. Myrie pointed to his record of getting legislation passed, including securing funding for SUNY Downstate.
In terms of transportation, the MTA has a revenue problem that congestion pricing is now helping with, Myrie said. With proper funds, the agency needs to prioritize renovating its signaling system, he said.
To face the Trump administration's 'unacceptable' tactics, Myrie suggested hiring 50 more lawyers to the city's Law Department. If Trump were to send the National Guard to New York City like he did Los Angeles, Myrie said he would sue.
On antisemitism, Myrie will increase funding for the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, expand education and increase personnel at the Commission on Human Rights. Myrie supports Eric Adams' recent NYC-Israel Economic Council announcement.
Zellnor's loyalties: Baseball: Yankees; Football: Giants; Pizza: Gino's; Last Broadway show: Lion King; Subway line: Q; Borough: All of them
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