The Brian Lehrer Show Adams Rent Guidelines Board Appointments and City Council Housing Votes
Dec 19, 2025
David Brand, a housing reporter at WNYC and Gothamist, dives into the recent appointments made by outgoing Mayor Eric Adams to the Rent Guidelines Board. He discusses how these appointments may thwart new mayor Zohran Mamdani's campaign promise to freeze rents. Brand explains the backgrounds of the new board members, debates on the necessity of landlord revenue, and highlights recent City Council housing bills aimed at increasing family-size affordable units. He also covers the implications of rising rents on tenants and the ongoing short-term rental reform efforts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Adams' RGB Appointments Hamper Rent Freeze
- Mayor Adams installed five appointees who will remain into the start of Zohran Mamdani's term, complicating a near-term rent freeze.
- David Brand says this increases political and procedural hurdles for Mamdani to immediately control the Rent Guidelines Board.
RGB Composition Matters More Than Labels
- The Rent Guidelines Board includes tenant reps, landlord reps, and five public members meant to be neutral analysts.
- Brand notes Adams' recent picks include a Legal Services tenant attorney and a Merrill Lynch financial advisor vetted via industry channels.
Expect Legal Pushback If Mamdani Fires Appointees
- Mamdani could try to remove Adams' appointees but would likely face lawsuits and ambiguous 'for cause' standards.
- Brand advises expecting legal battles and political fallout if Mamdani attempts firings to enforce a rent freeze.