Mary Lupien Confronts JD Vance Over Housing Crisis Misinformation

Rochester City Councilmember and mayoral candidate Mary Lupien directly confronted U.S. Senator JD Vance over his false claims about the housing crisis. During a public event, Vance blamed immigrants for rising housing costs, a statement Lupien immediately challenged.

“He was saying that we’re competing with immigrants for housing, and I yelled, ‘We’re competing against corporations, not immigrants. Give us back our funding!’” Lupien said.

Lupien’s response highlights a key issue facing Rochester and cities across the country: corporate landlords and real estate speculators—not immigrants—are driving up rents and displacing families. Instead of funding solutions like rent stabilization and affordable housing, federal and state leaders continue to cut vital housing support.

“As Rochesterians struggle with skyrocketing rents and the threat of displacement, politicians like JD Vance want to distract us by blaming the most vulnerable,” Lupien said in a statement after the exchange. “The truth is, working people—no matter where they were born—are all facing the same fight: a rigged housing system that puts corporate profits over our basic needs. We need leaders who will invest in real solutions, not scapegoat our neighbors.”

Lupien has been a leading voice in Rochester’s fight for affordable housing, tenant protections, and increased public investment in housing security. She is calling for federal leaders to restore and expand funding for housing programs that serve working families, rather than allowing corporate landlords to continue driving up costs unchecked. A main pillar of Lupien’s platform is “guaranteed housing,” in which Rochester will enact “housing first” policies.