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 Susan Zhuang. Council Member Zhuang represents the 43rd Council District in Brooklyn which includes parts of Sunset Park, Bensonhurst, Borough Park, Dyker Heights, Bath Beach and Gravesend.
What are your goals for 2026?
In 2026, my leadership in the New York City Council expands and so do my priorities. As the council member for District 43, I spend every day fighting for basic services for my constituents, but now I look ahead to championing for all New Yorkers. I’m committed to addressing food insecurity, affordable housing and care for our seniors, and fighting older adult isolation.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
In my first term (only two years), my office served 14,000 constituents. That includes the people seeking direct assistance at our office as well as attendance at our informational events, food pantries, and other service-based work. It doesn’t include the daily cases my team deals with via email. I’m grassroots. The community knows they can ask me for help, and I will fight to find a solution.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
We deal with any problem a constituent may have. That involves application assistance for benefits, connecting constituents with the appropriate city agencies, providing educational briefings on changing city policies, connecting them to free legal services or sometimes just helping them upload documents to a website.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
SNAP theft remains the top case. We help constituents freeze their accounts and apply for a new card. I even introduced a bill to simplify reporting theft to the city. But the issue is prevalent and the City legislature is limited in our power but I’m grassroots. I know there is a desperate need for food. Now, I coordinate pop-up food pantries throughout the district every single week.
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 am committed to fighting for expanding services for our aging New Yorkers and improving what services exist. I’m committed to making sure our older adults can stay in our City and thrive here. How we achieve that will take dedication, research, and partnership with advocates. I am a chair committed to restoring the dignity our older adults deserve.
