New York Gov. Kathy Hochul pushed back Sunday against Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani’s call to halt homeless encampment sweeps, as debate intensifies over how the incoming administration should address housing, immigration, and public safety challenges.

The exchange comes as advocates urge Mamdani to go beyond ending encampment clearings and prioritize expanding access to affordable mass transit for low-income New Yorkers.

Mamdani has less than a month before he takes control of the nation’s largest city — along with the mounting crises that accompany governing it. The immigration issue resurfaced dramatically last week when ICE agents and police clashed with protesters in Chinatown during a federal enforcement operation.

Amid escalating tensions, Mamdani posted on X on Sunday, criticizing the city’s longtime practice of clearing homeless encampments without offering stable housing alternatives.

He doubled down on those views at a recent event, saying:
“If you’re not connecting people to housing — if you’re not connecting them to the housing they need — then you cannot deem anything you’re doing to be a success.”

Mamdani’s progressive stance immediately drew reactions from elected officials and advocacy groups, highlighting the political battles that await him once he takes office.