
Manhattan borough president hopeful Brad Hoylman-Sigal is facing intense scrutiny after revelations that his husband profits from a Maryland apartment complex riddled with nearly 1,600 code violations—including pest infestations, mold, and aggressive evictions.
At a Glance
- Brad Hoylman-Sigal’s husband holds a 2.5% stake in Windsor Court apartments, a Maryland property with nearly 1,600 health and safety violations
- Tenants report severe rodent and roach infestations, mold contamination, and unsanitary conditions affecting infants
- The property has filed over 700 eviction notices in the past decade, with 262 in 2024 alone
- Hoylman-Sigal’s campaign claims he and his husband have no managerial role in the complex
- The candidate campaigns as a fierce advocate for tenant rights and against housing injustice
A Tale of Two Tenants: Hypocrisy and Infestation
It’s a scandal seemingly written for the tabloids: a progressive housing crusader finds himself entangled in a squalid real estate debacle. Brad Hoylman-Sigal, who touts tenant protection and eviction resistance as key campaign platforms, is now under fire after reports surfaced that his household earns income from Windsor Court Apartments in Silver Spring, Maryland—a building local residents describe as “infested.”
One tenant said, “The place is INFESTED with roaches and rats. It’s worse than some parts of NY.” Another reported, “Mice have been jumping all over our furniture and on my NEW BORN BABIES belongings. DISGUSTING!!!” with mold and insect contamination exacerbating the public health crisis.
Disconnection or Denial?
When first confronted, Hoylman-Sigal’s campaign responded that husband David Sigal’s 2.5% ownership is passive and “has no involvement or control over the housing development.” That number was initially misreported as 25%, raising further questions about transparency.
Still, the property’s legal team has filed hundreds of eviction notices—many against low-income residents—in apparent contradiction to Hoylman-Sigal’s public advocacy.
Watch a report: Rat-Infested Property Tied to NYC Housing Advocate.
Political Fallout and Public Trust
The scandal is particularly potent because Hoylman-Sigal is endorsed by progressive tenant groups, including the Tenants PAC. He’s running against East Side Councilman Keith Powers in the Democratic primary and has been vocal about combating real estate speculation and protecting renters.
But critics now argue that his advocacy is hollow when his family profits from what one tenant described as “a living nightmare.” With more than 1,000 unresolved violations—including mold, pest infestations, and structural disrepair—Windsor Court’s record is one of the worst in the region.
A Test of Credibility for Housing Justice Candidates
As the Manhattan borough presidency race intensifies, this revelation has placed Hoylman-Sigal on the defensive. Can a candidate genuinely claim to fight for housing justice while his household collects income from a property plagued by unsafe and inhumane conditions?
Tenants are demanding more than passive disavowals—they want accountability. And as New Yorkers assess who truly represents their housing needs, this episode may prove a decisive moment in a race once dominated by progressive promises.