US Congressional Candidates Weigh In on Urbanism, Transit, and Housing

Candidates competing for New York’s 10th Congressional District have outlined their stances on key urban policy issues, including the future of public transit, the escalating housing crisis, and the imperative for safer streets. The race, featuring incumbent Representative Dan Goldman and challenger Brad Lander, has brought a national spotlight to the specific needs of urban environments and the role of federal policy in addressing them.

In responses to a questionnaire, both candidates expressed a commitment to advocating for increased federal investment in urban areas, though they presented distinct strategies for achieving these goals. The district encompasses lower Manhattan and parts of Brownstone Brooklyn, areas grappling with the complexities of dense urban living, transit dependency, and housing affordability.

Federal Investment in Cities

Dan Goldman stated that Congress is inherently structured to favour suburban and rural interests, often overlooking the priorities of urban dwellers who rely more heavily on public transit, rental housing, and public housing. He emphasised the need to cultivate a strong coalition of representatives from urban districts to secure necessary attention and investment for essential urban needs like public transit, housing, and coastal resilience. Goldman also highlighted the importance of articulating the economic rationale for these investments to members from non-urban areas. He expressed a desire to build upon the legacies of retiring representatives Jerry Nadler and Nydia Velázquez by continuing the fight for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), transit investment, and city infrastructure funding.

Brad Lander framed his political approach as a “team sport,” drawing on his experience with initiatives such as the Prospect Park West bike lane, congestion pricing, and the 2025 mayoral primary. He pledged to be a dedicated, strategic, and effective team player in Congress to make the federal government more responsive to the needs of cities, particularly in housing and transit. Lander underscored the critical juncture for New York City, noting the departure of Nadler and Velázquez, who have been significant champions for the city’s housing and transit needs. He suggested that Dan Goldman has not adequately filled this leadership role, citing a perceived lack of engagement on congestion pricing and a failure to build strong relationships within the New York City delegation. Lander also pointed to Goldman’s lack of endorsement for Zohran Mamdani in the mayoral primary as evidence of this disconnect.

Lander committed to fighting for New York City’s fair share of federal resources, starting with transit funding, which he described as imbalanced and inexcusable. He noted that while the New York metropolitan area accounts for nearly 50 percent of American transit riders, it historically receives only about 15 percent of federal transit funding, despite New Yorkers contributing more in federal taxes than they receive back in services. Lander aims to rebalance this funding formula to secure billions for the city’s transit system. He also plans to encourage federal agencies to evaluate projects based on their ability to reduce vehicle miles travelled, thereby improving quality of life, protecting the environment, and promoting sustainable growth. Furthermore, Lander intends to collaborate with “abundance” advocates across party lines to streamline the funding-to-build process, ensuring that federal funds translate into completed projects efficiently.

Street Safety and Infrastructure

Regarding safety and quality of life, Dan Goldman identified the imposition of speed limits and improvements in street design as vital steps in reducing car crashes. He believes the federal government should provide funding for infrastructure upgrades, including streetscape enhancements at dangerous intersections. Goldman indicated his support for legislation addressing infrastructure issues and protecting vulnerable communities, viewing improved walkability and public transit investment as direct counterpoints to car-related fatalities and injuries. He highlighted the exemplary public transportation network and dense, walkable neighbourhoods within NY-10 as areas to build upon.

Brad Lander argued that the high number of annual injuries from vehicle crashes in New York is a consequence of an urban environment designed to cater to cars rather than people. He pledged to prioritise public design to enhance safety and mitigate the impact of destructive vehicle crashes. Lander criticised federal highway funding for historically favouring highway expansion over infrastructure that ensures pedestrian and rider safety, leading to aging bridges and roads with no immediate solutions and a reliance on car-centric infrastructure. He committed to advocating for a project scoring system that prioritises “fix it first” principles, allocating funds for repairs to existing infrastructure before new construction. This system, he stated, should also assess new projects based on their safety impact and prioritise those that reduce traffic fatalities.

Housing Crisis Solutions

Both candidates acknowledged the severity of the housing crisis affecting New York City. Dan Goldman described it as a national crisis that has been inadequately addressed by federal, city, and state governments. He called for a comprehensive approach to create and sustain quality, affordable housing near transit options, preventing displacement from established neighbourhoods. Goldman cited his collaboration with city and state officials on increasing housing supply, including agreements for the development of 5 World Trade Center (1,200 units, 35% affordable) and Brooklyn Marine Terminal (up to 6,000 units, 40% affordable). He also pointed to the potential for the Brooklyn Marine Terminal revitalization to create hundreds of union jobs and preserve existing ones. Goldman expressed his intent to continue supporting projects like the Interborough Express (IBX) to improve public transportation connectivity between Brooklyn and Queens, and to support MTA accessibility projects such as elevator installations.

Brad Lander also addressed the housing crisis, though his specific proposals within the provided context focused more on the broader implications of urban design and infrastructure funding. His emphasis on “fix it first” for infrastructure and prioritising projects that reduce traffic fatalities implicitly connects to creating safer and more liveable urban environments, which can indirectly support housing goals by improving neighbourhood quality and connectivity.

Key facts

The candidates’ responses offer a glimpse into how federal representation can influence urban development, public transportation, and housing policy. Their differing approaches highlight ongoing debates about resource allocation, infrastructure priorities, and the fundamental design of urban spaces.

Source: Streetsblog NYC – In New York-10, Brad Lander and Dan Goldman Answer Streetsblog’s Questions – https://nyc.streetsblog.org/2026/06/11/in-new-york-10-brad-lander-and-dan-goldman-answer-streetsblogs-questions