Highlights:
- Zohran Mamdani seeks $21 billion in federal grants for a large-scale housing and infrastructure project
- Proposal includes 12,000 affordable homes in Queens along with parks, schools, and health centers
- Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump agree to continue negotiations in the coming weeks
- Meeting at the White House described as cordial despite past criticism
Zohran Mamdani holds unannounced White House meeting
New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Thursday to seek federal backing for a $21 billion housing and infrastructure initiative. The meeting was not publicly announced in advance.
Zohran Mamdani presented the administration with a proposal requesting $21 billion in federal grants to finance a major development project in New York City. According to the mayor’s office, the funding would support the construction of 12,000 affordable housing units along with supporting infrastructure in a Queens neighborhood.
During the meeting, Zohran Mamdani handed President Trump a mock newspaper front page with the headline, “Trump to city: Let’s build,” highlighting his request for federal cooperation on the project.
The mayor’s office said the initiative represents one of the most significant development efforts proposed in recent decades.
Zohran Mamdani outlines $21B housing and infrastructure project
Under the proposal presented by Zohran Mamdani, the $21 billion funding package would finance:
12,000 affordable housing units
- New public parks
- School facilities
- Health centers
- Supporting neighborhood infrastructure
City officials described the project as a rare opportunity to address New York City’s housing shortage at scale. According to the mayor’s office, the development could become the largest combined housing and infrastructure investment in the city in more than 50 years.
Zohran Mamdani’s proposal focuses on integrating housing construction with essential community services. Officials stated that the infrastructure components are intended to ensure that the housing expansion is supported by adequate public facilities.
The project site identified in the proposal is located in Queens. Further details on implementation timelines and construction phases were not disclosed during the meeting.
Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump continue discussions
Despite previous public criticism between the two leaders, the meeting between Zohran Mamdani and President Trump was described as cordial. Trump, a Republican and longtime New Yorker, has frequently criticized Zohran Mamdani in the past. However, officials characterized Thursday’s discussion as constructive.
The tone of the meeting reportedly echoed an earlier discussion between Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump in November.
After the meeting, Zohran Mamdani said he considered the conversation productive and expressed optimism about advancing new housing projects. Both sides agreed to continue negotiations in the coming weeks to discuss funding details and next steps.
The White House did not immediately release additional details about the funding mechanism or timeline for reviewing the request.
What Zohran Mamdani’s proposal means for New York City
The $21 billion request marks one of the most ambitious funding proposals made by Zohran Mamdani since taking office as mayor. By linking affordable housing construction with infrastructure investment, Zohran Mamdani is positioning the initiative as a long-term strategy to address structural housing shortages while improving public services.
City officials emphasized that large-scale federal backing would be necessary to move forward at the proposed scale. Without federal participation, financing 12,000 affordable housing units alongside parks, schools, and health centers would require alternative funding strategies.
For Zohran Mamdani, securing federal support would represent a major milestone in advancing his housing agenda. For the federal government, the request presents a significant investment decision tied to urban development priorities.
Negotiations are expected to continue in the coming weeks as Zohran Mamdani and federal officials review funding pathways and administrative processes.
As discussions move forward, the focus will remain on whether the administration approves the $21 billion request and how quickly construction could begin if funding is secured.
