Sparks fly over Mamdani's 'hit list' against New York's rich home owners - BBC News

A list of expensive New York homes has sparked a controversy as Mamdani implements a second home tax.

Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mayor Mamdani says that taxes on second homes will help fund social programmes aimed at New Yorkers struggling with affordability

Owning one home in New York City is a dream far beyond what many people could afford. But in one of the most expensive cities in the world, some people have not only a first, but a second, home.

The identities of those elite few - and others with expensive primary residences in New York - were made public at the end of July, as part of Mayor Zohran Mamdani's plans to charge a "pied-à-terre" home tax - an annual fee for second homes in the city worth more than $5m (£3.7m), or condos and co-ops worth more than $1m.

That list, which identified people who the government said might have to pay the tax, became one of the main topics at a city council oversight meeting this week, which was called to address concerns about how it was rolled out.

City council member Gale Brewer said she and some other council members supported the pied-à-terre tax, but pointed to "challenges" with its implementation.