The number of New Yorkers participating in public hearings held by the Rent Guidelines Board (RGB) more than doubled this year following a city-led outreach campaign. Over the course of four meetings, approximately 330 people testified in person, while around 700 others submitted written, video, or audio testimonies, bringing the total to about 1,000 participants, according to RGB Chairperson Chantella Mitchell. This marks a significant increase from last year’s total of 400 testimonies.

Of the individuals who spoke this year, more than 130 represented landlord interests, while over 800 spoke on behalf of tenants, indicating a strong tenant presence at the hearings. The uptick in participation coincided with an initiative launched by Mayor Mamdani, called Organize NYC, which aims to sustain grassroots involvement fostered during his campaign by encouraging New Yorkers to engage in issues citywide. The program, operating under the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement and introduced in April, initially focused on boosting turnout at the rent hearings but is expected to address additional civic matters moving forward.

At the announcement of the initiative, Mamdani emphasized the importance of broad public engagement in processes that affect millions of residents. “This is a decision that will impact more than 2 million New Yorkers,” he said. “Last year, only 400 New Yorkers testified at these hearings. That is 0.02 percent, at best. If we want New Yorkers to believe in these processes, we must make it as easy as possible for them to be a part of these processes.”

Following the hearings, the RGB voted on Thursday evening to freeze rents for the city’s approximately 1 million rent-stabilized apartments. This decision stands as a key policy achievement for Mayor Mamdani, who campaigned heavily on the rent freeze issue.

However, the board’s decision has already drawn criticism and is expected to face legal challenges from landlord groups. Some landlords have accused Mamdani of compromising the RGB’s independence by mobilizing public testimony in support of his agenda. In response to these concerns, both Mayor Mamdani and Tascha Van Auken, commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement, have maintained that the Organize NYC effort is designed to promote broad civic involvement rather than advocate for any specific policy outcome, including the rent freeze.

Spokespersons for the mayor’s office did not immediately respond to requests for further comment. Meanwhile, the debate over the rent freeze and its implications for New York’s housing market continues to draw significant attention as the city navigates ongoing affordability challenges.