Mayor Adams Unveils Bold
Plan for NYC Families

“In the past year alone, our administration passed historic housing legislation, shattered the record for the most jobs in city history, drove major crimes down, and did so much more to build a family-friendly city. As a result of all these efforts, the state of our city is strong,” said Mayor Adams. “But there is no denying that many New Yorkers — especially our families — are still anxious about the future. We have to make sure that the greatest city in the world is also the greatest place to raise a family. From keeping young people safe to tackling street homelessness, from building more family-friendly neighborhoods to saving New Yorkers millions of dollars, the initiatives we laid out today will make New York City the safest place to raise a family, the most affordable place to raise a family, and the best place to raise a family. My mother never stopped fighting to provide her family with a better life, and that is why I will never stop fighting to do the same for you.”

Keeping New York the Safest Big City in America to Raise a Family

Mayor Adams highlighted a continued drop in crime across the city in 2024, including a 7.3% decrease in shootings, a 3.6% drop in homicides, and a 5.4% reduction in transit crime. His administration has confiscated nearly 20,000 illegal guns and removed over 80,000 illegal motorized vehicles, such as ghost cars, ATVs, and mopeds. Additionally, over 1,300 illegal smoke shops were shut down in the past year. Efforts to combat lithium-ion battery fires resulted in a 72% decline in related deaths.

To prevent crime, Adams introduced a $485 million initiative to support at-risk youth through mentorship, mental health care, and job training. The city will expand programs like Saturday Night Lights and invest $9 million to renovate Harlem’s Brigadier General Charles Young Field with synthetic turf, lighting, and upgraded facilities for year-round use.

Adams also announced a $163 million investment over five years to expand youth programs like Fair Futures, College Choice, Career Choice, GirlsJustUs, and Assertive Community Engagement & Success, which collectively aim to serve 8,000 young New Yorkers with counseling, career readiness, and educational support.

Addressing Street Homelessness with Bold Investments

Mayor Adams reinforced his administration’s commitment to tackling street homelessness. Since launching the Subway Safety Plan in 2022, over 8,000 people have been moved from subways into shelters, and a record 18,500 households transitioned from shelters to stable housing in Fiscal Year 2024.

To further these efforts, the city will invest $650 million to expand outreach and support services. This includes adding 900 new Safe Haven beds for unsheltered New Yorkers and opening a dedicated facility for individuals struggling with serious mental illness, offering psychiatric care, substance use treatment, and housing assistance.

Setting an ambitious goal, Adams declared, “No child should ever be born into New York City’s shelter system.” To achieve this, the administration will pilot a program connecting expectant parents applying for shelter with housing services to secure permanent homes before their child is born.

Mayor Adams also renewed his call for Albany to pass the Supportive Interventions Act, aimed at providing critical care for New Yorkers experiencing severe mental illness.

Building a “City of Yes for Families” to Tackle the Housing Crisis

Mayor Adams addressed the city’s housing crisis by unveiling the “City of Yes for Families” initiative. Since 2022, his administration has financed the construction and preservation of over 79,300 housing units and passed the historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” a zoning reform expected to create 80,000 new homes over 15 years.

The new initiative will focus on building family-sized housing and multi-generational homes, with developments near schools, parks, transit, and libraries. One major project includes redeveloping the Bloomingdale Library in Manhattan Valley to include over 800 units of mixed-income housing alongside a new library.

Adams announced the launch of “The Manhattan Plan,” a borough-wide zoning review aimed at unlocking housing potential across Manhattan to create 100,000 new homes over the next decade. This plan will build on ongoing projects like the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan and other public-site developments.

The city will also expand homeownership opportunities by introducing tools to help families with down payments, add accessory dwelling units, and allow rental payments to contribute to credit history.

To expedite housing development, Adams highlighted progress on the “24 in 24” initiative, surpassing its goal by advancing 26 housing projects on public land in 2024, totaling over 12,000 units. New projects are planned at 100 Gold Street near City Hall, 395 Flatbush in Downtown Brooklyn, Coney Island West, and St. George on Staten Island, collectively adding 8,700 new homes.

Putting Money Back Into Families’ Pockets

Mayor Adams emphasized the importance of making the city more affordable for working-class families. His administration has already saved New Yorkers more than $30 billion through city, state, and federal programs. This includes expanding the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit, returning $345 million to 1.7 million residents.

Adams urged Albany to pass his “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” proposal, which would eliminate or reduce city income taxes for working-class families, delivering $63 million in relief to over 582,000 New Yorkers.

To combat student loan debt, the city will partner with a private firm to enroll public servants in the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, potentially forgiving $360 million in student loans for 100,000 city employees and their families. Public servants will also be able to invite qualifying family members to participate.

The Adams administration’s “Big Apple Connect” program has provided free internet and cable to 150,000 NYCHA households across 220 developments, helping bridge the digital divide for low-income families.

A Strong Commitment to New York’s Future

Mayor Adams’ comprehensive plan reflects a deep commitment to creating a safer, more affordable, and family-friendly New York City. Through targeted investments in safety, housing, and economic relief, Adams aims to make the city a place where families can thrive.

“My mother never stopped fighting to provide her family with a better life, and that is why I will never stop fighting to do the same for you,” Adams concluded.