De Blasio Holds First Townhall Meeting of Mayoralty in Manhattan, Talks Rent and Affordable Housing

Nearly two years after taking office, Mayor de Blasio held what his office billed as the first traditional townhall meeting of his mayoralty Wednesday — but its format had some critics accusing him of hosting a political pep rally.

About 250 people attended the nearly two-hour meeting in Washington Heights. Most had been invited by City Councilman Ydanis Rodriguez — a de Blasio ally who reps the area — and progressive community groups who backed the mayor’s calls for a rent freeze.