As a renter in District 39, Shahana knows how hard it is to find a safe and affordable apartment in our neighborhoods. Earlier in her career as a housing organizer, she worked to build tenant power and keep New Yorkers in their homes. Now in the Council, she is taking the fight straight to both the real estate lobby and combating the affordable housing shortage.

Shahana’s Accomplishments:

  • Shahana helped make District 39 rank in the top ten Council districts for new affordable housing in 2023, with 633 new units and thousands more on the way.

  • She created 100 new affordable units in Windsor Terrace on a formerly industrial site through the Arrow Linen Rezoning Project. She negotiated a shorter, bulkier design that cut the height of the project down from 13 stories to 10 stories, without losing any unit count. She additionally increased the percentage of permanently affordable below-market units from 25% to 40%. 

  • Shahana established the Gowanus Rezoning Oversight Taskforce to hold developers and the administration accountable and ensure that the 56 community commitments are honored. 

  • As a proud representative of the Gowanus Houses, Wyckoff Gardens, and 572 Warren Shahana has been overseeing the implementation of the $200 million allocated for much-needed capital improvements. She works closely with Tenant Associations to support NYCHA residents. 

  • Shahana, in partnership with Speaker Adrienne Adams, secured $6 million to go towards the construction of the Gowanus Green project, a 100% affordable housing development in Gowanus.

  • She was a leading champion of the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity package, which will enable the construction of 80,000 new homes, convert office spaces into housing, invest $5 billion in housing affordability, and increase density near public transportation. 

  • Under Shahana’s leadership, the Progressive Caucus launched and won the Homes Now, Homes for Generations campaign, securing $2 billion in capital funds for the Department of Housing, Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). This investment will not only preserve existing affordable housing but also create new affordable homes and homeownership opportunities. She believes this plan is key to preventing the displacement of working-class families and will oversee its implementation in the coming years. 

  • Following the tragic Twin Parks fire, Shahana wrote and passed Local Law 64 of 2022 to ban the use of unsafe space heaters.

  • Joined Council Member Chi Ossé in introducing and passing the FARE Act, which will eliminate forced broker fees.

Shahana’s Vision:

  • Shahana will continue fighting to end our housing crisis by strengthening protections for tenants and combating the shortage of affordable housing. 

  • Shahana will ensure that future development prioritizes climate justice—creating green spaces, improving sewage systems, and building resilient infrastructure that can withstand the impacts of climate change.

  • Shahana will continue to oversee the implementation of the Gowanus rezoning and the community benefits agreement, including the successful renovation of the Gowanus Houses and Wyckoff Gardens. She will champion NYCHA tenants relentlessly.

  • Shahana will continue to support a rent freeze for rent stabilized tenants

  • Shahana will keep advocating for the preservation of affordable housing at 63 Tiffany Place in the Columbia Waterfront District and fighting deed theft in order to protect residents from displacement.