The mayoral candidate made a rent freeze central to his campaign. Here's how his supporters used in-person campaigning to clinch a victory, and what's ahead.
In a major political upset, Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary for New York City mayor after making rent freezes and tenant organizing central to his campaign. The New York State Tenant Bloc reached tens of thousands of rent-stabilized tenants through direct outreach and a focused “Freeze the Rent” campaign.
The win is seen as a landmark moment for tenant power, demonstrating that bold housing demands can bring success at the polls. It also had an immediate policy impact—current Mayor Eric Adams, facing pressure, urged the Rent Guidelines Board to approve the lowest possible rent increase just days after the primary.
While the board ultimately voted to raise rents, the momentum from Mamdani’s victory showed how housing justice can be a decisive issue in urban politics. Organizers view the campaign as a model for tenant-centered movements in other cities, with implications for both local policy and national organizing strategies. The victory signals a shift toward recognizing rent and affordability as core political issues.
FULL STORY: What Zohran Mamdani’s Primary Win Means for the Tenant Movement
Cities and States Taking Action to Limit Rent-Setting AI
Federal prosecutors are charging a software company with using algorithms to artificially inflate rents.
Tampa Rejects Rent Control, Citing Legal Concerns
The city council failed to move on a proposal that would have implemented rent stabilization, opting instead to explore other avenues for preventing evictions and improving the cost of housing.
Missouri Law Would Ban Protections for Housing Voucher Users
A state law seeks to overturn source-of-income discrimination bans passed by several Missouri cities.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.
Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.
DOT Awards 77% of BUILD Grants to Road Projects
Trump’s DOT is directing 87 percent of total grant dollars to states that backed the President in the last election.
What Zohran Mamdani’s Primary Win Means for the Tenant Movement
The mayoral candidate made a rent freeze central to his campaign. Here's how his supporters used in-person campaigning to clinch a victory, and what's ahead.
Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie