New Yorkers braved the cold to warm up with a cup of hot cocoa from Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani in Stuyvesant Square.

Mamdani and members of his transition team hosted a "Hot Chocolate, Frozen Rent" event on Thursday afternoon to bring awareness to the rising cost of rent in the city and how his administration plans to address it.

"As the temperature keeps dropping, we've seen over the past four years that rents have climbed for more than two million rent-stabilized tenants across the five boroughs," said Mamdani.

Lines of people wrapped around Stuyvesant Square fountain as residents from the tenant's association waited for a cup of hot chocolate and a chance to briefly speak with the incoming Mayor.

"I am very excited to have a mayor elect who has a positive vision for the future," said Jubilee Marshall, who was able to exchange a few words with Mamdani.

Mamdani ran on a promise to freeze the rent when he takes office, a priority that he says will be at the core of his administration.

"We will hold landlords who refuse to address maintenance issues and put their tenants at risk accountable, we will ensure our office of tenant protection streamlines 311 requests and improves fine collection," said Mamdani.

A part of his housing plan, the incoming mayor also promises to cut unnecessary red tape and increase density around mass transit hubs to make it easier to build housing. He also wants to establish an office of Deed Theft Prevention to tackle deed theft.

In order to bring a rent freeze to fruition, Mamdani will need to convince the Rent Guidelines Board. An independent body appointed by the Mayor. Currently, eight of the nine members' terms are expected to expire when Mamdani takes office, unless Mayor Eric Adams fills the seats before he leaves City Hall.

Mamdani said that topic was not discussed when he met with the mayor on Tuesday,

"I am continuing to be confident however of our ability to fulfill the promise we made to be able to freeze the rent for two million rent stabilized tenants," said Mamdani.

Mamdani will be sworn into office on Jan. 1.