Inside Government is a Q&A series that gives New Yorkers a glimpse inside the role of the elected officials who represent them. This edition of Inside Government with PoliticsNY, sponsored by AARP New York City, features New York City Council Member Harvey Epstein. Council Member Epstein represents the Second Council District in Manhattan which includes Greenwich Village, the Lower East Side, the East Village, Union Square, Gramercy and Murray Hill.
What are your goals for 2026?
I am proud to be the chair of the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee in the Council, so I am looking forward to improving consumer and workers’ rights across the city. We’ve already taken meaningful steps in conjunction with DCWP to eliminate junk fees at hotels and improve resources to help New Yorkers save money during tax season.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
What we do impacts whether we have an affordable New York. Our office impacts daily life by helping build affordable housing, passing local laws that are responsive to the needs of our constituents, working with city agencies, helping secure funding for local community organizations, negotiating the city budget and working every day to address the needs of our constituents.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
Our constituent services team takes on thousands of cases across the district over the phone and by walk-in. We help constituents to address housing issues, infrastructure issues around the neighborhood and work with city agencies to assist with inquiries related to public safety, transportation and social services. We also host a wide variety of events, including coat drives, shredding events, pet events, an annual Black History Month event, Women’s History Month celebration and more.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
Affordability. The cost of housing in this city is outrageous and it is driving low-and-middle income communities of color out of New York. I’m working to expand affordable housing, including by introducing legislation to create an Office of Conversion Assistance to turn unused office spaces into affordable units. Additionally, I am working with DCWP to fight junk fees and empower consumers to bring actions against predatory businesses.
From AARP New York City: Will you commit to raising the percentage of the overall NYC budget that goes to NYC Aging/DFTA to ensure older adults can age with dignity in the communities they helped build?
I will and have advocated to increase funding for seniors to age in place in the communities that they love and help build. I am proud to be part of the Subcommittee on Senior Centers and Food Security under the Committee of Aging in the Council.
