Delgado articulates the reasons motivating his bid for the gubernatorial position
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado's Approach to New York's Housing Affordability Crisis
Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado, a candidate in the 2022 Democratic primary for governor, is proposing a comprehensive solution to address New York's housing affordability crisis. His approach focuses on a combination of increasing housing supply and implementing tenant protection and rental assistance measures.
Delgado recognizes the supply-side problem, which is tied to regulatory barriers that slow down the development of affordable housing. He supports efforts to reduce bureaucratic obstacles to construction, understanding that increasing supply takes time. However, he emphasizes that immediate tenant protections and economic assistance are equally, if not more, urgent.
Many New Yorkers eligible for federal rental assistance are not receiving it, according to Delgado. He criticizes the limited scale of Governor Kathy Hochul's $50 million Housing Access Voucher Program and advocates for a statewide rental assistance program that directly supports tenants financially to ensure they can meet rent and avoid housing instability. This approach aims to address demand-side affordability by providing "real, meaningful assistance" to renters struggling month to month.
Delgado's stance on housing affordability also includes strengthening tenant protections. He aligns himself with progressive policy points such as the New York For All Act, which prevents state officials from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. He feels encouraged by the appetite for change and the energy he encounters during his campaign visits, particularly among progressive voters like Zohran Mamdani, the recent New York City Democratic mayoral primary winner.
Delgado has been vocal about the seemingly ongoing problems in the CDPAP situation and the Office of Cannabis Management, but does not express that the government always operates this way. He believes that leaders who are divorced from the realities and make top-down decisions without proper investment and attention are prone to causing problems. His focus is on leadership that is decisive, clear, thoughtful, and connected to the people.
In the campaign trail, Delgado is touring the state, attending campaign stops and rallies, attempting to appeal to the progressive movement in New York and win the Democratic primary against Gov. Kathy Hochul.
[1] Based on an interview with City & State.
- Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado advocates for a statewide rental assistance program, aiming to provide immediate economic aid to tenants experiencing housing instability, a key aspect of his approach to New York's housing affordability crisis.
- Beyond housing, Delgado supports progressive policy-and-legislation, such as the New York For All Act, which prevents state officials from collaborating with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, demonstrating his commitment to various social issues.
- In the realm of small business, Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado emphasizes the importance of politics and general-news when making decisions, ensuring that leaders are connected to the people and informed about the challenges they face, such as the CDPAP situation and regulatory barriers that slow down the development of affordable housing.
