NYC Mayor Mamdani Appoints Allies to Rent Board, Signaling Rent Freeze

Mamdani's appointees could pave the way for a rent freeze on the city's 1 million stabilized units

Published on Feb. 22, 2026

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New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a majority of like-minded, left-leaning members to the city's Rent Guidelines Board, a move that could pave the way for him to fulfill his campaign promise of freezing rents. Mamdani appointed five new members and reappointed one existing member, giving him control of the nine-person board that is tasked with annually voting on whether to raise rents on the city's roughly 1 million rent-stabilized units.

Why it matters

Mamdani's appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board could have significant implications for New York City renters. A rent freeze, if approved by the board, would provide much-needed relief to tenants struggling with high housing costs. However, landlord groups have warned that a rent freeze could lead to property tax increases that would effectively raise rents in other ways.

The details

Mamdani's appointees include several individuals with backgrounds in affordable housing advocacy and left-leaning causes, such as labor union leader Brandon Mancilla, economist Lauren Melodia, and former city housing official Chantella Mitchell, who will serve as the new board chair. The mayor also reappointed tenant representative Adán Soltren, who has a history of opposing rent increases. Only one of Mamdani's appointees, Maksim Wynn, has a background in landlord representation.

  • On Tuesday, February 18, 2026, Mayor Mamdani announced his appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board.
  • The Rent Guidelines Board is expected to vote on rent adjustments around June 2026.

The players

Zohran Mamdani

The mayor of New York City who appointed a majority of left-leaning members to the Rent Guidelines Board in an effort to fulfill his campaign promise of freezing rents.

Brandon Mancilla

A self-described "disruptive" labor union leader and staunch anti-Israel activist who was appointed as a "public member" of the Rent Guidelines Board by Mayor Mamdani.

Lauren Melodia

A nonprofit advocacy economist who was appointed as a "public member" of the Rent Guidelines Board by Mayor Mamdani. She has authored studies arguing against interest rate increases.

Chantella Mitchell

The new chair of the Rent Guidelines Board, appointed by Mayor Mamdani. She has a long resume of poverty and affordable housing-aligned work, including a Columbia University master's in social work and a current role overseeing grantmaking at the New York Community Trust.

Adán Soltren

A housing attorney and lecturer who was reappointed as a tenant representative on the Rent Guidelines Board. He has a history of being vocally opposed to rent increases.

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What they’re saying

“Rent stabilized tenants deserve a rent freeze. And of course, I also understand that the RGB is an independent board, and they will consider all of the evidence we are working to lower costs for property owners across the city.”

— Zohran Mamdani, Mayor of New York City (New York Post)

“Increased property taxes = a rent increase.”

— Kenny Burgos, CEO of the New York Apartment Association (New York Post)

What’s next

The Rent Guidelines Board is expected to hold a vote around June 2026 on whether to raise rents on the city's roughly 1 million rent-stabilized units. The board's decision will determine if Mayor Mamdani is able to fulfill his campaign promise of freezing rents.

The takeaway

Mayor Mamdani's appointments to the Rent Guidelines Board suggest he is positioning the panel to approve a rent freeze, fulfilling a key campaign promise. However, landlord groups have warned that such a move could lead to property tax increases that would effectively raise rents in other ways, highlighting the complex dynamics at play in New York City's housing landscape.