How the N.Y.C. Mayoral Candidates Plan to Solve the Housing Crisis

Seize deteriorating apartment buildings run by negligent landlords. Stop spending on new homeless shelters. Build apartments on church campuses and golf courses and on top of libraries.

In the race to be New York City’s next mayor, few issues have generated proposals as ambitious and sprawling as the housing crisis, a top concern for a growing number of voters.

The share of available apartments is at its lowest point in nearly 60 years, rents continue to climb and high rates of homelessness remain a persistent part of city life. There aren’t enough homes being built to satisfy the demand to live here, many housing experts say, while the Trump administration’s plan cut to federal housing aid could upend the city’s ability to help its most vulnerable residents.

Mayoral candidates across the political spectrum — those running in the June 24 Democratic primary and in November’s general election — agree that the situation is a threat to the city. In ways big and small, though, they differ on the best solutions.

Many of their proposals would be difficult to carry out. Several would require the skillful balancing of adverse political interests, including labor unions, real estate companies and pro-tenant groups. Some would be possible only with help from influential state or federal politicians who may resist development.

Most candidates do not say how they would pay for their plans, which carry price tags stretching into the many billions of dollars.