New Era for NYC Housing: Mamdani Unveils Three Executive Orders to Protect Tenants and Accelerate Development

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani declared the start of a “new era” for the city as he unveiled sweeping housing reforms on his first day in office. Speaking after his swearing-in, Mamdani described the housing insecurity facing many New Yorkers and announced three executive orders aimed at immediate action: reviving the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, launching a Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) task force to accelerate housing on city-owned land, and creating the SPEED Task Force to remove bureaucratic barriers that drive up construction costs. Mamdani said the measures are only the beginning of a broader effort to improve housing quality, hold negligent landlords accountable, and expand access to affordable homes across New York City.