NEW YORK, September 20, 2026 — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration is facing challenges in meeting some of its housing and early-childhood enrollment targets, according to the city’s Fiscal 2026 Mayor’s Management Report.
The report, which covers the 12 months through June 30, 2026, found that the city financed 26,913 affordable housing units during the fiscal year, nearly 7% fewer than the previous year. The figure covers a period that included the final six months of former Mayor Eric Adams’ administration and Mamdani’s first six months in office.
Mamdani’s administration has set a longer-term goal of creating 200,000 new affordable homes over the next decade, alongside preserving another 200,000. The administration has also announced a $22 billion affordable-housing investment over five years.
Housing approval delays
The report also showed delays in the affordable-housing application process. The median time to approve an applicant increased by 26 days to 236 days, while the share of applications completed within six months fell to 26%, from 41% the previous year.
Mamdani’s administration has acknowledged the delays and introduced its SPEED housing reforms, which officials say are intended to reduce development and permitting timelines and overhaul the affordable-housing lottery and lease-up process.
The city has said it plans to reduce the time between completion of an affordable-housing building and residents moving in from about 210 days to fewer than 100 days.
3-K and pre-K enrollment declines
Early-childhood programs also recorded lower enrollment. The number of children enrolled in 3-K fell to 43,678, compared with 44,729 the previous year and a city target of 45,454. Pre-K enrollment stood at 55,042, below the target of 59,250 and down from 56,950 a year earlier.
The city has cited demographic changes and earlier outreach and investment levels as factors contributing to the enrollment figures. The administration expects enrollment to improve as additional investments and outreach measures take effect.
Mamdani’s administration also launched a new 2-K program in September, initially providing free seats to roughly 2,000 two-year-olds.
The report presents a mixed picture of the administration’s first management period. City Hall highlighted that 26,971 affordable homes were completed in FY2026, a 20% increase and the highest number in five years, while also pointing to faster delivery in several other areas.
Because the fiscal-year report spans six months under Adams and six months under Mamdani, the figures do not represent a full year of Mamdani administration performance.
