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 Crystal Hudson. Council Member Hudson represents the 35th Council District in Brooklyn which includes the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill and Fort Greene.
What are your goals for 2026?
I am excited to have been appointed as chair of the General Welfare Committee, and I intend to use this role to strengthen our city’s social safety net. That means improving access to cash assistance, food benefits, rental support, and shelter services, while reducing unnecessary barriers. In a time of federal instability, our local systems must work effectively for those who rely on them most.
How does your work in the City Council affect constituents in their daily lives?
City government shapes daily life – from sanitation and parks to schools, public benefits, and housing laws. My work ensures resources reach the neighborhoods that need them most. Whether fighting for deeper affordability, protecting tenants or strengthening access to essential services, I focus on tangible outcomes that help families remain stable and allow longtime residents to stay rooted in their communities.
What services does your office provide to constituents?
Our office helps residents navigate city agencies and resolve issues related to housing, public benefits, sanitation, education, immigration and small business support. We assist with SCRIE/DRIE, rental arrears, deed theft prevention and services for older adults. We also host workshops and resource fairs to connect neighbors with the tools they need, because access to information is power.
What is the top issue in your district and how are you working to resolve it?
The top issue in our district is affordability. Families are feeling squeezed by rising rents and the everyday cost of living, and too many longtime residents are worried about being pushed out of the neighborhoods they helped build. I’m fighting for more deeply affordable housing, stronger tenant protections, homeownership preservation, real support for small businesses and free and affordable options for early childhood education. Staying in Brooklyn shouldn’t feel out of reach.
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?
Absolutely. As chair of the Committee on Aging, I worked to restore funding for the NYC Department for the Aging cut by the prior administration. I will continue advocating to increase its share of the city budget, especially with the growing older adult population. Older adults deserve fully funded senior centers, home-delivered meals, case management, and culturally competent services. Aging in place is a matter of dignity for the generations who built our city.
