Harvey Epstein: Quotes and Statements

Epstein has described tenant protection as the defining cause of his career, stating that he believes housing is a right and not a privilege, and that he will continue to fight for tenants, low-income homeowners, and homeless New Yorkers regardless of whatever office he holds . In defending the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, he argued that after decades of laws tilted in favor of property owners and a steady loss of rent-stabilized housing stock, the legislation restored balance by reining in a system that had served to increase rents on struggling tenants with the end goal of deregulating units .

After the first-ever rent freeze was approved for one-year leases in 2015, Epstein called the outcome a huge victory for tenants . As a former board member, he has pointed to the board's data showing that half of all city renters pay more than 30 percent of their income toward rent, while landlord net operating income has continued to rise, and has argued that the board must balance those inequities through its guidelines . In 2026, he called the latest rent freeze a historic moment that helps families stabilize .

Epstein has spoken about the project's importance through the lens of his personal experience during Hurricane Sandy, recalling the explosion at the Con Edison plant and the flooding that swept down Avenues D, C, and B, carrying cars away and leaving a profound impact on the community . He has said the community needs more public green space, more trees, and storm resiliency, and has called on the city to continue working toward those critical goals . Earlier in the project's development, he joined other elected officials in demanding an independent expert review, insisting that the city must provide viable and safe alternatives for everyone affected by the construction .

Epstein argued that the closure of the hospital would have massive equity implications, pointing to a community-led health equity impact survey showing that people with disabilities and low-income and Medicaid-eligible residents would suffer the most . He warned that if the state allowed the hospital to close, the reverberations would include longer wait times, longer ambulance response times, and an increased risk of fatalities . After the closure became final in April 2025, he called for city oversight of whatever replaces the hospital to ensure the new use benefits the neighborhood .

After Saturday Night Live parodied his name in a November 2024 sketch hosted by John Mulaney, Epstein responded with characteristic humor, calling the sketch hilarious and saying he was glad people could enjoy the joke . He noted that people have made comments about his name's resemblance to those of two convicted sex offenders, but emphasized that he is living a different life and trying to do good in the world . He posted on social media agreeing with the sketch's closing joke, adding a link to his campaign donation page .

Upon clinching the Democratic primary for District 2 in June 2025, Epstein told supporters that the district is his home and his community, describing it as a privilege to have served the neighborhood in the Assembly and expressing his commitment to being the next council member . He characterized the council as an opportunity to accomplish work that complements what he achieved in Albany .

Epstein has described his decision to move to the East Village as rooted in his love for the neighborhood's energy, vitality, activism, and rich history . He has said that he found the law often standing in the way of equality during his years as a public interest lawyer, and that he recognized changing the law as the path to making many people's lives better .