Mamdani's Allies Challenge Mayor Over Public Housing Project

More than 300 members of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) have called on Mayor Zohran Mamdani to halt a $1.2 billion public housing construction project, aligning themselves with residents who oppose the demolition of their homes. The DSA members are urging the city to stop the redevelopment of the Fulton-Elliot Chelsea Houses in Manhattan.

Four DSA members drafted a resolution demanding the mayor halt the project, which involves the demolition and reconstruction of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) complex. This resolution has garnered significant support, with 335 co-sponsors, exceeding the required 125 for a vote at the organization's November convention. A source close to the matter confirmed its popularity within the group.

The draft resolution states, "The Chapter calls on Mayor Mamdani to halt this demolition, and, in doing so, we are uplifting the demands of the organized residents of Fulton and Elliot-Chelsea." It criticizes Mamdani for proceeding with a public-private partnership agreement between NYCHA and Related Companies through the RAD-PACT program, especially "despite unambiguous protests from residents and community members."

The DSA resolution also criticizes the city for initiating the demolition in Chelsea, a high-income Manhattan neighborhood, while other NYCHA complexes reportedly remain in worse structural condition. The project would also transition current residents from Section 9 public housing to Section 8 voucher-based housing.

Brooklyn Council member Chris Banks, chair of the council committee for public housing, expressed support for the DSA's stance. "Folks are fighting for their lives and we welcome them taking this position in wanting to invest and preserve traditional public housing," Banks said, adding, "I hope the mayor listens."

Mamdani's administration, however, defended the project. Spokesman Matt Rauschenbach stated, "The Mamdani Administration supports the redevelopment of Fulton and Elliott-Chelsea Houses because NYCHA tenants deserve safe, healthy homes and the investment that has been denied to public housing for far too long." He added, "Too many leaders have walked away from public housing. We are not going to. We are stepping up to make the investments NYCHA tenants have been waiting for — and we believe this project should move forward."

The plan to demolish and rebuild the Fulton-Elliot Chelsea Houses, which currently contains 2,056 apartments, was initially agreed upon under Mayor Eric Adams in 2021. The redevelopment aims to add approximately 3,000 units of mixed-income and market-rate housing. The construction is expected to require the temporary relocation of 4% of current tenants, including residents of a senior-only building.

Some residents have expressed strong opposition to relocating. Doris Ruffin, 67, stated, "I’m not going anywhere! They’re gonna have to knock this building down with me in it."

The DSA resolution is slated for a vote at the DSA-NYC biennial convention on November 4.