In an event aimed at showcasing his commitment to affordability in New York City, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani made key announcements regarding his administration's new appointments. At a sanitation garage undergoing a transformation into affordable housing units on Staten Island, Mamdani named Leila Bozorg as the Deputy Mayor for Housing and Julie Su as the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, as reported by CBS News. Bozorg, known for her role in housing policymaking, and Su, previously acting U.S. Labor Secretary, will be at the forefront of Mamdani's agenda when he takes office on January 1.
The role of Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice is a new position within the city government, one that signifies Mamdani's resolve to address inequalities. Mamdani emphasized the importance of this role in challenging "the inequality that too often permeates across our city." As he stated, Su will focus on issues such as unfair labor practices and corporate abuses, striving to prioritize workers and consumers over profit. Bozorg's role, in relation to housing, will be a continuation of her previous work, including in the Adams administration where she was instrumental in negotiating housing opportunities, details provided by Bronx News 12.
The announcements came with a commitment from Mamdani to maintain focus on his housing objectives, including plans for a four-year rent freeze. Despite Mayor Eric Adams' last-minute appointments, Mamdani remained unwavering. "I remain just as committed to delivering a four-year rent freeze to more than 2 million rent stabilized tenants across this city," Mamdani told CBS News, addressing concerns about potential obstacles.
This transitional period, however, has not been without its setbacks. Catherine Almonte Da Costa had resigned from her role as Director of Appointments following the emergence of past statements alleged by the ADL to be anti-Semitic. Mamdani's team is now reevaluating its vetting process after stating he wasn't aware of Da Costa's past social media posts. "There are clear changes that need to be made and that's exactly what we're doing right now," Mamdani explained, as per CBS News.
