Angelo Mazza Launches Student Housing Group Over $3,100 NYC Rents
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Angelo Mazza Launches Student Housing Group Over $3,100 NYC Rents
1 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jun 7
Summary
$3,100 rents in New York helped push 19-year-old Fordham student Angelo Mazza to start a student-led group explaining zoning and housing policy to young people.
Mazza, who lives with his parents in Queens, said the city’s housing crunch has become a full-blown crisis for a generation that will soon face the market directly.
The organization, formed with a friend last year, aims to translate technical land-use and zoning debates into language students can use in civic and political fights over housing.
The effort reflects a broader pattern of youth activism, casting housing affordability as the next issue drawing younger New Yorkers into organized advocacy.
Can youth-led demands to reform 110-year-old zoning laws truly make New York City affordable for the next generation?
With numerous city reforms, why does it still take up to two years to move into a new 'affordable' NYC apartment?
NYC Housing Crisis 2026: The Rise of Student-Led Advocacy and the Fight for Affordability
Overview
CivicReset NYC, founded by Sofiyev and Mazza, has quickly become a leading student-led force in New York City’s housing policy scene. Throughout 2026, the organization has focused on expanding youth engagement, empowering young people to understand and influence decisions about their urban environment. By aiming to impact urban planning and neighborhood development, CivicReset NYC is shaping the city’s future. Although the founders were initially concerned that applying for 501(c)(3) non-profit status might limit their freedom of expression due to regulations on political activity, they now see it as a necessary step for growth and sustainability. The group is also exploring collaborations to amplify its impact.