Kenny Burgos

Burgos and his three sisters were raised in the Bronx by a single mother. He attended the Bronx High School of Science, where his class was two years below that of fellow future Democratic Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani,^[5] and graduated from University at Albany, SUNY with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics.^[1] Burgos is a member of Iota Phi Theta fraternity.

Burgos began his career as the Deputy Chief of Staff and Budget Director for the 18th District of the New York City Council.^[6]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Burgos supported initiatives to provide resources to immigrant-owned local businesses.^[7]

Drawing from his background as a member of a small-business-owning family, he championed resources for local immigrant-owned businesses, particularly during the economic challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[8]

In February 2020, Marcos Crespo – Assemblyman for the 85th district and chair of the Bronx County Democratic Party – announced his resignation.^[9] Burgos announced he would run for the seat and, with the backing of the Bronx County Democratic Committee, defeated William Moore 62-38% in the Democratic primary.^[10][11] Burgos easily won the general election in the strongly Democratic seat, and was seated on November 12, 2020.^[12]

In the Assembly, Burgos introduced legislation to amend rent-stabilization laws regarding the renovation of vacant apartments. He also sponsored legislation expanding housing tax credits for low-income families.^[8]

In July 2024, Burgos resigned from the New York State Assembly and later became the Chief Executive Officer of New York Apartment Association, an organization that represents a coalition of property owners and managers who provide affordable multi-family housing in the state of New York.^[13][14]

Burgos graduated from the Bronx High School of Science and earned a bachelor's degree in economics from the University at Albany. In July 2024, he resigned from the State Assembly to take a position in the private sector.^[8]

Burgos is widely recognized for modernizing trade association communications through a digital-first strategy. Since assuming leadership of the New York Apartment Association (NYAA) in 2024, he has leveraged short-form video and social media^[15] to bypass traditional media gatekeepers. His content regularly achieves tens of thousands of organic views across platforms like TikTok,^[16] YouTube Shorts^[17] and Instagram,^[18] where he challenges prevailing narratives on rent stabilization and housing supply.

His media presence was profiled by Curbed in late 2025,^[19] which detailed his transition from a progressive Bronx legislator to a leading industry voice, describing his role as a "digital messenger" who uses direct-to-consumer video to influence "Planet Albany" (the New York state political sphere). His international reach was further noted in a feature by The Times of London,^[20] which analyzed his communication style as a case study in modern political and industry advocacy within high-density urban markets.

Burgos has consistently been ranked as one of the most influential figures in New York's political and real estate landscapes. His leadership at the New York Apartment Association, formed from the merger between the Rent Stabilization Association (RSA) and the Community Housing Improvement Program (CHIP), has solidified his standing in the city's executive hierarchy.^[21]

City & State New York: Burgos has appeared on multiple power lists, including the 2024 Bronx Power 100,^[22] the 2025 Real Estate Power 100, and the 2026 NYC Power 100, the 2026 "Who's Who in Affordable Housing" ^[23] where he was noted for his role as the inaugural CEO of the nation's largest trade organization for private multifamily owners.

He was featured in Crain’s New York "40 under 40" and as a "Power Player" in the 2025 real estate roundup.^[24]