MAMDANI, CUOMO PLEDGE ACCOUNTABILITY & RESULTS TO METRO IAF NY:

Candidates vow to deliver on Metro IAF NY's agenda for affordable housing, mental health, and community safety.

 

October 19, 2025: Metro IAF NY - Bronx Metro IAF, EBC, Manhattan Together, and Queens Power - took the next step toward getting to the table and staying at the table with the future mayor of New York City. They were also strengthened by two longstanding member organizations from the South Bronx – Immaculate Conception Church and The Mexican Coalition – who brought more than 100 people.

In front of an assembly of over 1,750 Metro IAF leaders both mayoral candidates deliver major results, including the following highlights:

  • PUBLIC LAND FOR PUBLIC GOOD - BUILD 100% AFFORDABLE:
    • Build 50,000 units of affordable housing each year for 10 years by increasing and maintaining the annual funding of HPD
      development budget by
      • $2.75 billion for capital funding and
      • $32 million for staffing
    • Dedicate city-owned land to be developed as 100% affordable including the 26-acre site at Aqueduct Racetrack in conjunction with the State.
    • Reconsider the RFP for the 20-acre site at Flushing Airport. Cuomo
      committed to re-issue it.
  • FIX NYCHA:
    • Invest $100 million in critical repairs and eradicating the backlog, building off of Manhattan Together’s track record through the Baez Consent Decree
    • Hold NYCHA accountable through independent oversight and Deputy Mayor
  • ACT ON MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS:
    • Start to address mental health crisis by creating 2 crisis stabilization centers in every borough which requires
      • $100 million for capital/construction
      • $80 million for operational funding
    • Cuomo doubled his commitment to 20 centers.
  • ACT ON COMMUNITY ISSUES:
    • Direct citywide commissioners to relate directly with Metro IAF affiliates
  • ACT NOW:
    • Meet with Metro IAF leadership immediately after the election to develop concrete steps to keep all New Yorkers safe including Jewish, Muslim and immigrant communities.

Metro IAF NY cut the issues hard and made a bold, complicated agenda crystal clear.

Leaders and organizers accomplished by:

  • Listening to over 10,000 New Yorkers
  • Creating an agenda based upon themes
  • Changing problems into winnable issues
  • Demanding accountability with realistic Day One Actions.

As we did on June 1st, Metro IAF once again turned out the largest assembly for the general election, creating the tension needed for action. Rev. Rashad Moore, Kirsten and Kaylen Sanchez, Blanca Ramos, Rev. Jeffery Thompson, Andrew Riblet, Jonathan Chamberlin and Ivelisse Gilestra shared compelling testimonies and hard-hitting analysis setting the stage. Then Rev. Patrick O’ Connor, Rev. David Brawley, Ben Thomases, Yolanda Moore, Joanne Kennedy and Rabbi Larry Sebert led a disciplined, powerful exchange with the candidates to secure the commitments. We set the terms and laid out the key actions that need to occur.

Next Step: Stay at it.

As Queens Power organizer Hanif Parker taught at the end of evaluation, nothing will come of this without consistent and relentless pressure. We must continue the on the ground organizing that got us here - individual meetings, house meetings, local action and recruitment.

 Please feel free to share this recording of the Assembly.

Press Roundup from the Action: