Affordable Housing in Queens Costs Nearly Double Mamdani’s Target

July 7, 2025 | New York City

A newly announced affordable housing development in Queens underscores the financial challenges of building in New York City. Elmcor Youth & Adult Activities, along with partners Lemle & Wolff Companies and Sarana Development Group, is breaking ground on a 55-unit project in Woodside with a total cost of $51.5 million—equating to approximately $936,000 per unit. Despite including supportive community services and excluding union labor, the per-unit cost far exceeds the $500,000 benchmark championed by presumptive mayor Zohran Mamdani in his housing platform.

The figures raise questions about the viability of Mamdani’s promise to build 200,000 social housing units for $100 billion, especially if union labor and wraparound services are factored in. While some voters may have taken his proposals literally, others may have supported him for the vision they represent. As Mamdani transitions from campaign trail to potential mayoralty, the city’s developers and housing advocates are watching closely to see how idealistic plans will meet the financial realities of development in NYC.