January 5, 2026 New York City just underwent a seismic shift in 48 hours. From the heart of the Bronx to the streets of Greenpoint, Mayor Zohran Mamdani is signaling that the era of "business as usual" at City Hall is officially dead.

By appointing a battle-tested housing radical as the new HPD Commissioner and greenlighting a street redesign that has been stalled by scandal for years, Mamdani isn't just making policy—he’s picking a fight with the status quo.

The New Sheriff of Housing: Who is Dina Levy?

In a Sunday morning bombshell at the 1520 Community Center in the Bronx, Mamdani introduced the woman tasked with fixing the city’s broken housing market: Dina Levy.

Levy isn't your typical bureaucrat. With a resume that reads like a landlord’s nightmare, she brings 15 years of boots-on-the-ground organizing and a high-level stint at the State Attorney General’s office to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD).

"Levy is an experienced and fearless housing leader," Mamdani declared. "I know she will fight to protect tenants and tackle our housing crisis head-on."

Exposed: The "Rental Ripoff" Hearings

But the appointment was only half the story. In a move that sent shockwaves through the real estate industry, Mamdani signed an executive order launching "Rental Ripoff hearings." Over the next 100 days, the administration will hold a series of public forums designed to drag predatory practices into the light. From hidden fees to decomposing building conditions, the city is inviting you to testify. This isn't just a listening tour; the administration has promised that this testimony will lead to direct policy interventions.

Victory in Greenpoint: McGuinness Blvd Finally Fixed

The weekend’s firestorm actually began on Saturday in Brooklyn. Standing on the asphalt of McGuinness Boulevard, Mamdani ended a years-long saga of delays, bribery scandals, and community fear.

Under new DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn, the city will finally complete the full reconstruction of the boulevard. For a road that has seen a staggering number of traffic deaths over the last 15 years, the change is radical:

• One travel lane in each direction (down from two).

• Parking-protected bike lanes stretching all the way to the Pulaski Bridge.

• Dedicated loading zones to keep traffic flowing safely.

"Today, families across Greenpoint can breathe again," said Ben Furnas of Transportation Alternatives. For years, this road was a symbol of political gridlock; today, it’s a symbol of a new administration’s willingness to move fast.

What This Means For You

Whether you are a renter struggling with "deceptive fees" or a commuter worried about street safety, the Mamdani administration is making it clear: they are prioritizing the sidewalk over the boardroom.

With Dina Levy at the helm of HPD and a "mass engagement" office now operating within City Hall, the next 100 days will likely be the most volatile—and potentially transformative—in recent NYC history.