Fact Check: Zohran Mamdani called for seizing properties to house the homeless.

Fact Check: "Zohran Mamdani called for seizing properties to house the homeless."

What We Know

Zohran Mamdani, a Democratic socialist candidate for mayor of New York City, has made several statements regarding housing policies that have drawn significant attention. In March 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Mamdani called for the government to "seize" luxury condos to house the homeless, stating that these properties were sitting empty while many New Yorkers were suffering. He emphasized the need for a #HomesGuarantee plan, which aimed to provide housing as a human right (source-2, source-7). Additionally, he has advocated for a broader de-commodification of housing, suggesting that housing should be treated as a public good rather than a private commodity (source-5).

Analysis

The claim that Mamdani called for seizing properties to house the homeless is substantiated by his own statements made during the pandemic. His social media post explicitly urged the government to take action against luxury condos that were not being utilized for housing, thereby directly addressing the issue of homelessness (source-4).

Critics have highlighted these remarks as indicative of radical socialist ideology, framing them as part of a broader agenda to transform housing policy in New York City. For instance, Mamdani's proposal to create community land trusts aims to replace private ownership with communal living arrangements, which has been met with skepticism from various stakeholders in the real estate industry (source-1, source-3).

The sources reporting on Mamdani's statements vary in credibility. The New York Times, a reputable source, provides a nuanced view of his policies and their implications for the real estate market (source-1). In contrast, outlets like Fox News and BIZPAC Review emphasize the radical nature of his proposals, which may reflect a more partisan perspective (source-2, source-4).

Overall, while Mamdani's proposals are controversial and polarizing, the claim that he called for seizing properties to house the homeless is accurate based on his public statements.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The evidence clearly supports the claim that Zohran Mamdani called for the government to seize luxury properties to provide housing for the homeless. His statements during the COVID-19 pandemic and his ongoing advocacy for de-commodification of housing confirm this assertion. Despite the varying interpretations of his proposals, the core claim remains factually correct.