I BELIEVE that housing is a Human Right.
WE ALL DESERVE safe, affordable, and stable housing.
I am a life-long tenant who knows first-hand the challenges of living in a community where 93.2% of residents are renters and more than half—56%—are rent-burdened. I understand the stress and fear that come with owing back rent and facing potential eviction. In this district, where only 6.8% are homeowners compared to nearly a third citywide, our neighbors don’t just face affordability issues; they face an uphill battle for stability and security in their homes.
I have personally taken on unscrupulous landlords who exploit these vulnerabilities. During the pandemic, when our building’s gas was shut off by a slumlord, my neighbors and I organized a tenant association and began a rent strike. It was the eviction moratorium that gave us the courage to take a stand, and we succeeded in making our voices heard.
I am committed to supporting legislation and policies that protect tenants’ rights, prevent displacement, and expand access to truly affordable housing. This includes creating more opportunities for home ownership. We need to build more housing, especially for low-income families and our seniors. We need to ensure that District 8 residents—long-time renters, families, and vulnerable communities—have the security they need to build their lives without the constant threat of losing their homes.
Read Wil’s Full Housing Plan Here
One Page Summary Here
I BELIEVE that accessible, reliable public transit is a lifeline for working-class New Yorkers—and that expanding and improving service should be a top priority.
WE ALL DESERVE streets and transit systems that are safe, affordable, and designed to serve every neighborhood with dignity and care.
District 8 needs a transportation system that reflects the realities of its residents—working-class families, seniors, people with disabilities, and NYCHA tenants who rely on public transit every day.
This proposal prioritizes expanded MTA bus service, including Select Bus Service improvements and increased frequency to reduce wait times. It supports reviving the Triboro Line to connect East Harlem and the South Bronx to other outer boroughs without requiring a trip through Manhattan.
The plan includes investments in pedestrian and cyclist safety, such as protected bike lanes, traffic calming measures, and redesigned dangerous intersections. It calls for reduced fares for low-income riders through the Fair Fares program and mandates full ADA accessibility at transit stations. Environmental justice is central, with a focus on transitioning to electric buses and reducing pollution in high-asthma neighborhoods. Community engagement and local hiring for transportation projects are emphasized to ensure equity and economic opportunity are built into every solution.
Read Wil’s Full Transportation Plan Here
One Page Summary Here
I BELIEVE IN creating a safer South Bronx and East Harlem by curbing gun violence and by supporting community-led initiatives and funding services that create stability in our neighborhood.
WE ALL DESERVE safe neighborhoods for our families, safe parks for our children, and safe streets for our small businesses.
This District is my home and where I want to raise my family. I want them and every resident to live here without fear of violence or crime. I will work to bring the resources East Harlem and the South Bronx deserve and invest them in community-led initiatives that will make our neighborhood safe for all.
I BELIEVE IN every worker’s right to unionize.
WE ALL DESERVE good pay for good jobs. We should not have to work multiple jobs just to have money to live a comfortable life. We all deserve to be protected against abuse and exploitation at work.
Working at the New York City Council, I saw colleagues being harassed and exploited, so I joined with my colleagues to form a union, the largest municipal employees union in the nation. We fought against the establishment and managed to win recognition.
I BELIEVE IN providing a well-rounded education for our children, complete with arts, music, computer science, and financial literacy.
WE ALL DESERVE well-funded schools for our children.
Growing up, my parents sacrificed to send me to a parochial school because the local schools did not offer a bi-lingual education and were not well resourced. I was lucky to receive scholarships to offset the costs and allow me to receive a great education. Every child deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education, regardless of their zip code, our schools should be the best resourced in the country.
I BELIEVE IN that our seniors deserve to enjoy life with dignity and with the care they deserve.
WE ALL DESERVE the right to age without fear of losing our quality of life.
I saw what aging without adequate resources did to my parents. My mother and father fell into poverty as the cost of living went up and the value of their pension and Social Security payments went down. They could not afford the level of care they deserved and it fell on me and my siblings to help supplement. We were honored to do so, but we should not have to, we work all of our lives and save what we can for retirement with no security that we will be able to retire comfortably. We must fight for cost of living increases for our seniors and ensure they can remain in their homes and not be burdened more and more as the years pass.
I BELIEVE IN: We are in a climate crisis, we must act now if we want to leave a livable New York for our children and grandchildren.
WE ALL DESERVE: Clean air, clean water, and a safe waterfront.
We are one super-storm away from losing our part of the East River Esplanade and the waterfront in the South Bronx which will impact residents. Our air quality is so bad that our Children suffer from one of the highest asthma rates in the state. We must invest in creating a resilient waterfront and working to improve the air quality by increasing investment in green infrastructure across the district.
I BELIEVE IN the importance of art in the development of strong communities.
WE ALL DESERVE access to art education and art space, that includes music, theater, and emerging mediums.
I was fortunate enough to receive a scholarship to a well-resourced parochial high school where I was exposed to art and music. Taking a theater class allowed me to work through the anxiety I had due to having a speech impediment. Access to art changed my life. Every student in District 8 deserves access to art and music.
I BELIEVE THAT small businesses are important to building stronger, more resilient communities.
WE ALL DESERVE the freedom and resources to start a business and invest in our communities.
Growing up, my parents owned a bodega, a cornerstone of our community. They eventually lost the business due to rising costs and limited access to resources that could have helped them stay afloat. We need to invest in our small businesses, especially those owned and operated by local community members. Small businesses are the lifeblood of our neighborhoods—every dollar spent in a local business circulates twelve times within the community, strengthening our economy. We must direct funds to ensure our business corridors are clean, safe, and welcoming so that our businesses can thrive and continue enriching our neighborhoods.
We are a people powered campaign, for information on how to help please reach out to us by filling the form above, or by email at Wil@lopezfornyc.com