Zohran Mamdani will live in historic Gracie Mansion as New York mayor

December 9, 2025

Zohran Mamdani, New York City's incoming mayor, has announced he will relocate to the historic Gracie Mansion rather than keep his rent-stabilized Queens apartment, citing family security concerns and the need to concentrate fully on his affordability agenda. The decision marks a shift from his campaign messaging, during which he connected his housing policy platform to his own living situation in a modest Astoria apartment where he paid approximately $2,300 monthly. Political opponents had criticized him for occupying the rent-controlled unit despite coming from a wealthy, accomplished family.

Who is affected

Zohran Mamdani and his family (moving residences)
Future tenants of Mamdani's former rent-stabilized apartment in Astoria
Residents of the Astoria neighborhood in Queens
New Yorkers who voted for Mamdani's affordability agenda
Middle-class families and immigrant communities in Astoria

What action is being taken

Zohran Mamdani is moving into Gracie Mansion around his January 1st inauguration.

Why it matters

This decision is significant because Mamdani campaigned extensively on affordable housing issues and specifically tied his "freeze the rent" platform to his own rent-stabilized living situation. His choice to leave a rent-stabilized apartment—considered a valuable lifeline in a city where average one-bedroom rents exceed $3,500 monthly—for a historic mansion represents a symbolic shift that could affect public perception of his commitment to housing affordability. The decision also frees up a rent-stabilized unit in a city facing severe affordable housing shortages.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC