With his re-election campaign already well underway, Mayor Bill de Blasio's State of the City speech hearkened back to the central theme of his first bid for City Hall: the struggle of many New Yorkers to make ends meet. The mayor says more affordable housing and good paying jobs are the answer, but there are many hurdles ahead. Our Grace Rauh has the story.
As he makes his case for a second term, Mayor de Blasio is returning to his campaign roots: the high cost of living in New York.
"This affordability crisis threatens the soul of this city," de Blasio said.
It's been two years since he first rolled out his affordable housing plan, but progress is slow going. And New Yorkers in financial distress are looking for a quicker fix. To that end, the mayor is rolling out plans to provide legal assistance to tenants facing eviction.
He says he will ensure more apartments are set aside for very low income residents. And he is proposing a rent relief program for 25,000 seniors. He is planning to pay for it with revenues from a proposed Mansion Tax on properties that sell for more than $2 million. However, the tax faces tough odds with state lawmakers in Albany.
"The message to the people of the city is this is your city," de Blasio said. "It doesn't belong to people who are most advantaged. It belongs to the people who built it. Who gave it its character, culture, its heart and its soul."
The mayor also spoke about job creation, saying his goal is to create 100-thousand jobs that pay at least $50,000 a year over the next decade.
"We can't address affordability crisis unless more people get a good paying job," the mayor said.
One of the clearest signs that the city has become unaffordable for many is the record number of homeless people living in city shelters. But that got only passing mention.
You will hear more about homelessness in the coming days. And opioids. And congestion on our streets.
The mayor's biggest applause lines came when he turned his attention to President Trump and Washington.
"When thousands of New Yorkers rush to airports to defend our constitution that is not an end that is a beginning," de Blasio said.
As far as de Blasio is concerned the most unifying force in New York City right now is Donald Trump.