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NYC Council overrides Mayor Adams’ veto on housing bills by wide margin
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NYC COUNCIL OVERRIDES MAYOR ADAMS’ VETO ON HOUSING BILLS BY WIDE MARGIN



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By
Elizabeth Kim

Published Jul 13, 2023

Modified Jul 13, 2023

37 comments

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Elizabeth Kim/Gothamist

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By
Elizabeth Kim

Published Jul 13, 2023

Modified Jul 13, 2023

37 comments

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The New York City Council voted overwhelmingly on Thursday to override Mayor
Eric Adams’ veto of housing bills that would expand rental assistance, dealing
the mayor his first major legislative blow in a rare showdown between the two
main branches of the city's government.

The 42-8 vote marked the first time the Council has overridden a mayor in nearly
a decade. Adams’ predecessor, Bill de Blasio, had an unusually collegial
relationship with the Council and didn’t issue a single veto during his eight
years in office.

“The fact that we have to override a veto is incomprehensible to me,” said
Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, referring to the four bills that she argued
would help prevent people from needing to enter homeless shelters.

Less than two years into his term, Adams has butted heads with the Council on
issues such as the migrant crisis, the city’s response to the recent air quality
emergency, and the recent budget.

Now, both sides are locked in a contentious battle over how much the city should
expand rental subsidies during a worsening affordable housing crisis.

Councilmembers say distributing more aid to low-income New Yorkers at risk of
eviction is crucial at a moment when rents are soaring and the population of the
city’s shelter system has reached record levels.



Adams has objected to the costs of funding an expansion, which city budget
officials have estimated at $17 billion. The Council has said the amount would
be closer to $11 billion.

"Unlike the [City Council], we do not ... believe that New Yorkers should spend
$17 billion on a package of bills that would put New Yorkers in shelter at the
back of the line for a CityFHEPS voucher and make it harder for them to find
permanent housing," Adams said in a prepared statement after the vote. "We will
continue to do all that we can to build more housing and tackle decades of
exclusionary zoning policies that have prevented our city from building an
adequate housing supply. We are reviewing our options and next steps.”

The mayor and administration officials have also argued the program would
incentivize renters to stop paying their rent and risk eviction so they can
become eligible for housing vouchers.

Advocates have dismissed such arguments as ill-informed.

“That’s just asinine,” said Christine Quinn, who heads the nonprofit
organization WIN. “I run some of the best shelters in this city, and no one
wants to be there.”

The override now sets up a potential court battle over the legislation. The
mayor has argued that the bills exceed the Council’s legal authority, a sign
that he may either sue the body or refuse to enforce the laws, which go into
effect in 180 days. Should he do the latter, the Council could sue the
administration to force the city to comply.



Speaking to reporters before the vote, the speaker said she had not heard from
the administration about a possible lawsuit but added that she hoped the two
sides could work collaboratively.

When asked how the Council would respond to a lawsuit, she said, “we’ll cross
that bridge when and if we come to it."

The relationship between the speaker and mayor has appeared strained in recent
months, marked by budget negotiations that the speaker described as “difficult.”
Both lawmakers have known each other for many years and attended Bayside High
School at the same time.

The speaker said she and the mayor had spoken since the budget's passage, but
suggested they do not speak frequently.

When a reporter noted that the mayor often bristles at criticism from the press,
the speaker said her critiques are not met with the same reaction.

“That I can attest to,” she said with a chuckle.



This story has been updated with additional information.

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Related stories
NYC Council is preparing to quash Mayor Adams’ veto. But the fight could drag on
for months.

Mayor Adams is considering vetoing new housing assistance bills, setting up
political showdown


Tagged

eric adams
City Council
housing
Politics

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Elizabeth Kim


Elizabeth Kim is a reporter on the People and Power desk who covers mayoral
power. She previously covered the pandemic, housing, redevelopment and public
spaces. A native of Queens, she speaks fluent Mandarin. Got a tip? Email
elkim@nypublicradio.org or Signal 347-677-3845.

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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

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