As the New York City Democratic primary approaches, the living situations of the city’s mayoral contenders have become a topic of interest.
The residency requirements for the position are notably lenient, allowing candidates to legally establish residence in the five boroughs just before Election Day.
The ongoing debates and discussions revolve around the hot-button issues of housing affordability and rental market conditions, making this exploration of candidates’ homes both timely and intriguing.
**Eric Adams**
Currently serving as the mayor, Eric Adams identifies as an Independent, although he is registered as a Democrat.
His living arrangements are multi-faceted, with official residences including Gracie Mansion located at 181 East End Avenue.
Additionally, he owns a townhouse at 936 Lafayette Avenue in Bedford-Stuyvesant and a co-op at 1530 Palisades Avenue in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
While he purchased his townhouse for $250,500 back in 2003, it now has a current estimated value of approximately $1.3 million.
His New Jersey co-op, acquired with partner Tracey Collins in 2016, has a worth ranging between $250,000 to $499,999.99, as noted in his disclosure forms.
Gracie Mansion, the official residence of the mayor, is provided at no cost.
Interestingly, there has been speculation about how much time Adams truly spends at Gracie Mansion, given ongoing investigations into his past activities and potential corruption.
Reports indicate that Adams likely spends only a portion of his time there, sometimes staying overnight in other residences, including his Fort Lee co-op and a mattress setup at Brooklyn Borough Hall during his earlier term as borough president.
**Adrienne Adams**
Another contender, Adrienne Adams, is an established Democratic candidate and is currently the New York City Council Speaker.
She owns a home at 144-20 109th Avenue in Jamaica, which she purchased for $85,000 in 1987; however, similar homes in her area are currently selling for between $600,000 and over $1 million.
Adams resides there with her husband, Joseph Adams, in a quaint Dutch Colonial Revival house, symbolizing a suburban lifestyle in Queens.
Reflecting on the importance of her residence, she has stated that owning their home has allowed her family to remain active contributors to their local community.
**Andrew Cuomo**
Former Governor Andrew Cuomo is also in the race, running as a Democrat.
He has primarily been residing in the Oriana at 420 East 54th Street after signing an 18-month lease.
This two-bedroom unit rents for roughly $8,000 a month and marks a significant transition for Cuomo, who is known for his political aspirations.
Previously, rumors circulated about him couch-surfing in Southampton or living in properties owned by family members.
His rapid return to public life and campaign for mayor has drawn attention, particularly regarding his stone-cold past in office and recent controversies.
**Michael Blake**
Democratic candidate Michael Blake owns property at 837 Washington Avenue in the Melrose neighborhood.
He acquired his three-bedroom condo for $440,000 in 2021, marking a notable investment within his community.
His condo building, characterized by a nondescript interior design, happens to be one of the more modern constructions in the area, attracting Blake as he campaigned for a seat in the state assembly.
Blake is well-regarded for his nonprofit work and connections as a community leader, further manifesting the need for accessible housing options in New York City.
**Zohran Mamdani**
Runing as a Democratic Socialist, Zohran Mamdani calls Astoria home, where he resides in a rent-stabilized one-bedroom apartment at 32-15 35th Street.
His manageable rent of $2,000 a month, established back in 2018, signifies his commitment to addressing affordability issues within the city’s housing market.
This background is particularly evident as he continues to advocate for housing reforms and building protections for tenants across the city.
Mamdani himself noted that he originally foraged for an apartment that matched his budget of $47,000 a year during his time as a foreclosure counselor.
He emphasized the distinguishable difference between his rent and the drastically lower costs paid by some long-time tenants, showcasing the urgency he feels around stabilizing rents for all New Yorkers.
**Scott Stringer**
Another candidate, Scott Stringer, is a long-time Democratic figure with deep roots on the Upper West Side, though his current residence is now at 25 Broad Street in the Financial District.
Stringer has been renting their apartment since February 2017, with a lease costing $5,485 a month.
The two-bedroom space has become a part of his family’s journey as they sought a more spacious living situation while raising two children.
Stringer also harbors ambitions of making housing more relatable and accessible to all New Yorkers, having re-put his focus in the campaign towards ensuring livable conditions for families.
**Brad Lander**
Linked to the Park Slope community, Democratic candidate Brad Lander has consistently maintained a political identity tied to his neighborhood.
He bought his two-family brownstone at 256 13th Street for $655,000 in 2002, enjoying the refuge it offers for his family — which includes his wife and two children.
In an interesting twist, Lander found himself embroiled in some controversy during his time on the City Council, as he called for rent cancellation while maintaining a rental relationship himself in his brownstone.
His current practices of renting out space to those in need further underline the complexities of his positions regarding housing policies.
**Jessica Ramos**
Also a Democratic candidate, Jessica Ramos has personal experience with the housing struggles many New Yorkers face.
Ramos resides in a rent-stabilized unit at 37-15 79th Street in Jackson Heights, where her monthly rent amounts to $2,480.
This two-and-a-half-bedroom apartment has been home for over ten years, demonstrating her commitment to raising two children in a familiar environment despite recent building issues.
Notably, Ramos has campaigned for necessary funding to retrofitting NYC’s aging housing stock, essential for improving tenants’ living conditions and preserving families in the community.
**Zellnor Myrie**
Myrie, a Democratic candidate from Brooklyn, maintains a unique connection to his roots.
He lives in a rent-stabilized apartment at 10 Maple Street in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens that his mother purchased, paying $1,300 per month.
This arrangement allows him to defend the significance of rent stabilization and emphasize housing stability in his campaign, given the significance the apartment holds for his family.
His current rapport involves alternating between his childhood home and his wife’s rental unit, again showcasing the nuances often involved in living arrangements in New York City.
**Whitney Tilson**
Democratic candidate Whitney Tilson offers a change of pace in terms of professional background.
He owns a co-op at 1165 Fifth Avenue that cost him $2.1 million in 2002, now valued at around $2.7 million; however, maintenance fees are at nearly $6,000 per month.
His residing place reflects both his financial success and an opportunity to present himself as a savvy business figure in city politics, focusing on policy reform from a financial perspective.
**Jim Walden**
Independent candidate Jim Walden showcases a different side of New York living with his own residence at 200 Hicks Street in Brooklyn Heights.
Walden and his wife acquired a sizable three-bedroom apartment in 2009 for about $1.1 million.
Interestingly, through renovations, they attempted to sell the property for almost $3 million back in 2017, demonstrating the city’s complicated real estate dynamics.
Despite setbacks, the luxury of their home emphasizes the vast disparity in New York City’s housing market; something they hope to address through Walden’s campaign policies.
**Curtis Sliwa**
Lastly, Republican candidate Curtis Sliwa currently lives at 272 West 73rd Street, which he rents for approximately $3,675 per month.
This arrangement adds a layer of character to his candidacy, as he seeks to engage with the city on issues he feels impact the community directly.
The varying experiences of these candidates reflect the complex housing landscape in New York City, as they prepare to debate essential policies reflecting their personal and professional backgrounds.
As the primary approaches, their individual stories surrounding housing will undoubtedly play a key role in public discourse.
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