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Bringing the best of the suburban shopping experience to the Bronx, the Mall at Bay Plaza is New York City’s first enclosed shopping mall in 40 years. The 780,000 square foot enclosed fashion center will provide a full range of range of shopping options and experiences for urban shoppers and those from nearby suburban Westchester County. Retailers include anchor tenants Macy’s and JC Penney as well as over 100 stores, restaurants, food court, and a health club. Light and bright, the design of three-level mall has an urban sophistication with a spacious feel. The mall is easy to access from two major highways, and provides over 2400 indoor parking spots for your convenience.

Quote of The Month

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
Eleanor Roosevelt

NYCEM ISSUES WEATHER ALERT FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 1

January 30, 2026 — New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM) has issued a Weather Alert for Sunday, February 1. In coordination with the National Weather Service (NWS), NYCEM is monitoring a coastal low-pressure system expected to bring cold temperatures, breezy winds and a very small potential of light snow to the city, which may lead to slick road conditions and potential travel disruptions over the weekend.

“New Yorkers should take this cold weather seriously. Temperatures are dangerously low, with icy conditions as a result, and even short trips can be dangerous. If you can, stay indoors, keep warm, and limit time outside. If you need to travel, use public transportation and give yourself extra time. City agencies are working around the clock to clear streets, improve road conditions, and get New Yorkers indoors and out of the cold as we continue recovering from last weekend’s heavy snowfall. As we face what could be the harshest stretch of cold weather in New York City history, we all must do our part and stay prepared,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

“As cleanup from last weekend’s storm continues, even light additional snowfall and extreme cold can create challenges,” said NYCEM Commissioner Zach Iscol. “We encourage New Yorkers to stay alert, look out for their neighbors, and travel carefully.”

The city may see some snow accumulation beginning overnight Saturday and tapering off by late Sunday evening, though the chances for this remain small. The forecast calls for the most likely snow accumulation to be east of the city. This system follows a major snowstorm last weekend that dropped over a foot of snow in some parts of the city. With snow cleanup still underway, any additional snowfall — even light amounts — could reduce roadway capacity, slow travel, and create slippery conditions, particularly during the Sunday morning hours.

In addition to snow, very cold and dangerous temperatures will persist through the weekend, with wind chills as low as -5°F.

NYCEM urges New Yorkers to stay informed, limit time outdoors during extreme cold, use caution if traveling, and check on vulnerable neighbors.

Warming Centers

As dangerously cold temperatures move through New York, the city has opened warming centers in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces for New Yorkers in need. The most up-to-date information on warming center locations and times can be found at on.nyc.gov/warmingcenters or by calling 311.

Have a Plan

Before Winter Weather

-Check smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. NYC law requires them.

-Wear warm layered clothing, hats, and sturdy boots.

-Check your snow equipment. Keep rock salt and shovels.

-Winterize your car. Prepare a kit with blankets, food, water, shovel, jumper cables, flashlight, reflectors, and first aid kit.

-Register with your utility provider if you rely on life-sustaining medical equipment. Keep backup power ready.

-Keep essential supplies at home so you can stay safely indoors during and after a storm.

-Know how to get help with heat through the Home Energy Assistance Program. Call 311.

During Winter Weather

-Stay indoors if possible.

-Dress in layers and cover exposed skin.

-Watch for frostbite (numbness, pale or waxy skin) and hypothermia (shivering, confusion, drowsiness). Call 911 if you see symptoms.

-Use heating equipment safely. Never use stoves, ovens, kerosene heaters, or grills to heat your home.

-Do not leave space heater or electric blankets unattended.

-Run generators only outdoors and away from windows.

-Report heat or hot water outages to your landlord, then call 311 if not resolved. NYC law requires minimum indoor temperatures from October 1 through May 31:

Daytime (6 a.m. – 10 p.m.): At least 68°F inside when it’s below 55°F outside

Nighttime (10 PM – 6 AM): At least 62°F inside, regardless of outside temperature

Hot water: At least 120°F year-round

-Take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.

-Ask neighbors or community groups for snow removal help if needed.

After Winter Weather

-Check on neighbors, especially older adults and those with access needs.

-Clear snow safely. Shovel slowly. Take breaks. Keep hydrants clear

-Prevent carbon monoxide risks by clearing car tailpipes and using detectors.

Stay Informed

-Sign up for Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app, or call 311. Alerts are available in multiple languages, including a dedicated group for basement apartment residents.

-Keep a battery-powered radio available if power is lost.

-Stay away from downed power lines. Treat them as live and call 911 if they are causing a life-threatening situation.

-To report downed trees in NYC, call 311. For life-threatening emergencies involving a tree, such as one blocking a road or near power lines, call 911 immediately.

-For the latest updates, visit NYCEM’s website, sign up for emergency alerts by visiting the Notify NYC page, or call 311.

In the near future, certain areas of New York City will see speed limits significantly reduced to as low as 20 or even 10 mph, thanks to Sammy's Law. This legislation empowers the city to modify speed limits in specific zones for enhanced safety

In the near future, certain areas of New York City will see speed limits significantly reduced to as low as 20 or even 10 mph, thanks to Sammy’s Law. This legislation empowers the city to modify speed limits in specific zones for enhanced safety.

These designated zones include areas around certain schools, along with Open Streets, Shared Streets, and designated “Regional Slow Zones” across each borough. The inaugural “Regional Slow Zone” under consideration is in lower Manhattan, below Canal Street, with plans for implementation by the end of this year or the beginning of the next.

Speed limits on individual streets may be reduced to 20 mph, while specific streets undergoing safety modifications could see limits as low as 10 mph.

This summer, the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) will start the process of engaging community boards with its proposals, followed by a 60-day period for public comment before any changes are made.

“New Yorkers deserve safe streets, regardless of their mode of transportation. Sammy’s Law is a vital step towards ensuring the safety of all, whether they’re in a car, on a bus, biking, or walking,” stated Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to Families for Safe Streets and Amy Cohen, who has been a relentless advocate for the city’s ability to better regulate our speed limits in memory of her son, Sammy Cohen Eckstein,” added NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez.

Starting in September, after the public has had a chance to comment for 60 days, the NYC DOT will initiate the process of lowering speed limits at 250 locations, aiming to complete this task by the end of 2025.

INITIAL PROPOSED LOCATIONS FOR REDUCED SPEEDS

The Bronx
– E 139 Street, from Willis Avenue to Alexander Avenue

– Courtlandt Ave, E 156 St to E 157 St

– E 151 St, Courtlandt Ave to Morris Ave

– E 156 St, Concourse Village W to Morris Ave

– Gerard Ave, E 167 St to E 168 St

– St Ann’s Ave, E 149 St to Westchester Ave

– Tinton Ave, E 150 St to E 152 St

– Sheridan Ave, E 171 St to E 172 St

– Walton Ave, E 179 St to E 171 St

– Prospect Ave, E 175 St to E Tremont Ave

– Wallace Ave, Mace Ave to Waring Ave

– E 225 St, White Plains Rd to Barnes Ave

– E 172 St, St Lawrence Ave to Beach Ave

– Netherland Ave, Kappock St to W 227 St

– Reeds Mill Ln, Bivona St to Steenwich Ave

Air Quality Chart

https://www.airnow.gov/?city=Bronx&state=NY&country=USA

Con Edison Penalized $4.3 Million for Mistakes Regarding Renewable Energy Credits

Approximately 3.3 Million Con Edison Customers Will Receive Credit in 2026 ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today adopted the terms and conditions of a settlement agreement between Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) and the Department of Public Service, collectively requiring Con Edison to return $4.3 million to impacted customers and New York State for the utility’s failure to properly account for certain charges related to renewable energy certificates, or RECs. “The Public Service Commission is laser-focused on protecting consumers across New York State from excess charges,” said Public Service Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “It’s particularly important during the current economic challenges faced by New Yorkers to ensure that consumers are not being overcharged for electricity and that rates remain affordable.” Con Edison will return more than $4.1 million of the settlement to impacted customers. Further, the settlement includes a $200,000 payment by company shareholders to the New York State government. In 2024, the Department became aware of issues with Con Edison‘s registration of certain Value of Distributed Energy Resources (VDER) REC credits. VDER is a mechanism to compensate energy producers for energy created by distributed energy resources, like solar. Following an investigation, it was determined that the company did not timely register certain VDER RECs for calendar years 2017-2023, which resulted in Con Edison making unnecessary Alternative Compliance Payments (ACPs) to the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) each year following the appropriate registration period for the relevant VDER RECs. The investigation also determined that Con Edison incorrectly registered certain projects for VDER RECs for calendar years 2018-2023, which reduced the value of Con Edison‘s ACPs to NYSERDA each year following such project registration. The Commission’s adoption of the settlement agreement concludes the investigation and related enforcement proceeding. As a result of this agreement, approximately 3.3 million Con Edison customers will receive a credit starting no later than 2026. Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 25-E-0638 in the input box labeled “Search for Case/Matter Number”. Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.

CON EDISON WINTER PREVIEW: ENERGY-SAVING TIPS, BUDGET BILLING, EXPANDED AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM Company Helps Customers Save Money With Energy Efficiency Programs, Income-Eligible Discounts

NEW YORK – As temperatures drop, Con Edison is ready with programs and conservation tips to help customers lower their bills and make the most of their energy use this winter.

Con Edison offers energy efficiency programs and encourages customers to find one that works for them. Through September, these programs provided $141 million in incentives for upgrades including heat pumps, insulation, sealing air leaks, and energy efficient windows. More than $23 million benefited customers with low and moderate incomes.

Winter energy bills are typically higher than autumn bills because as the days grow shorter and colder, customers use more energy.

If customers use electric heating, the electric portion of their bill could be higher during the winter. If customers use natural gas for heating, the gas portion of their bill would be higher.

The best strategy for Con Edison’s 3.7 million customers to manage their winter bills is to be mindful of their usage and follow energy saving tips.

Get Weekly Energy Use Reports. Customers can get information on what day and time they used the most electricity by logging into their account at conEd.com/Notifications and scrolling down to sign up.

Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Each degree higher increases heating costs.

Clear the area around heating vents. Carpets, furniture, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.

Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for furnaces and heat pumps. Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect heating systems.

When the sun is shining, open shades on south-facing windows. Close the shades at night.

Take showers instead of baths. Showers use half as much water as baths. Less hot water means less energy used.

Wash clothes in cold water to avoid using energy to heat the water.

Customers can maximize efficiency and improve comfort with proper insulation and air sealing. They’ll save energy and money year-round. Learn more: conEd.com/WeatherReady. Old or improperly installed insulation can lead to a loss of up to 30 percent of your home’s heating.

On rare occasions, such as the coldest days of winter or during prolonged cold spells, the company may ask customers to conserve energy.

Programs That Fit Customers’ Energy and Financial Needs

Payment assistance options include budget billing, which smooths a customer’s costs out throughout the year and avoids seasonal spikes.

Customers who receive benefits from certain government assistance programs can qualify for the Energy Affordability Program to keep energy costs at or below 6 percent of average annual income. Through September, Con Edison provided $189 million in bill discounts to customers in the EAP. Currently, 408,000 customers are in the program.

Beginning in 2026, the New York State Public Service Commission’s new enhanced energy affordability policy will extend eligibility to all residential utility customers below median income.

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), a federal program, also provides benefits to income-eligible customers to help cover heating costs. For more information on the 2025-2026 HEAP application schedule, click here.

Con Edison offers protections during cold weather and payment programs for seniors, households with children, people with disabilities and households with someone who uses life-support equipment and have registered with the company.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County, NY. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

CON EDISON INVESTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET INCREASED SUMMER ENERGY DEMAND Company Makes $2.35 Billion in Upgrades Across the 5 Boroughs and Westchester County, Offers Affordability Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers

NEW YORK – Con Edison has invested $2.35 billion in its electric delivery system since last summer to help ensure reliable, resilient service this summer when customers’ need for power is greatest.

The company is preparing for the increased demand for power as New Yorkers rely on their air conditioners to keep their homes and business cool and comfortable. Con Edison’s meteorologists are forecasting a particularly humid summer, which can drive air conditioning usage.

Con Edison has multiple tools, from overhead switches that help limit outages to smart meters that provide the customer and the company’s operators information in near real time, as well as sensors in manholes that notify the company when a cable may be getting hot. These tools, alongside Con Edison’s robust workforce, help keep the grid ready and customers in service.

In addition, the company is committed to helping customers manage their energy usage as temperatures rise. Conserving energy during peak demand times – typically the afternoon and early evening hours on the hottest days of summer – helps Con Edison maintain reliable service and saves money for customers.

Con Edison also offers energy efficiency programs and incentives, including rebates for smart thermostats and up to $4,000 for home upgrades like sealing and insulation to help manage costs.

“Our ongoing investments help ensure safe and reliable service, even as the days get hotter for longer and the demand for air conditioning and high temperatures can stress our equipment,” said Matthew Ketschke, the president of Con Edison. “We use data and technology to pinpoint where upgrades will benefit our customers the most, and our highly skilled workforce brings those improvements to life.”

Reliable energy service is essential for Con Edison’s customers. The company powers vital transportation networks, including a 24-7 subway system, world-class hospitals, important government institutions and thousands of small neighborhood businesses.

Infrastructure upgrades to date that help keep the region energized include the installation of new substation equipment, 46 underground and 79 overhead transformers, 342 spans of underground and overhead feeder cables, 259 spans of open wire, and 113 poles.

These projects benefit residential and business customers from the northernmost part of Con Edison’s service area in Westchester County to Staten Island’s South Shore.

More specifically:

Bronx

Con Edison invested $12 million in the Bronx to install more than 60 sections of primary cable and new switching technology to improve capacity, resiliency and reliability.

Brooklyn

The company invested $25 million in the Williamsburg, Fort Greene and Greenpoint communities on new cable feeders to enhance reliability and support increasing needs for power.

Manhattan

Con Edison recently completed an $18 million project to create a new electric network and increase capacity in the Midtown West area. The company also invested more than $13 million in Harlem and Yorkville to increase capacity and reliability with more than five miles of new underground cable, new transformers, and new switching to diversify sources of power.

Queens

The investments included $12.5 million in the Ridgewood and Maspeth areas, strengthening our system in an area where the need for power is projected to grow.

Staten Island

The company is working on numerous projects on Staten Island. They include $10.4 million in the northern part of the borough in Westerleigh, Concord, and Rosebank to replace poles, 157 spans of wire, and place a mile of overhead circuits underground to protect them from storm damage.

In the south, the company is investing $10.7 million in Eltingville and Richmondtown to replace poles, and three miles of aerial cable, along with installing switches to improve reliability.

Westchester County

The spending includes more than $23 million on reliability improvements, including technology to give Con Edison operators information about system conditions in real time. That can help avoid outages and speed restoration if customers do lose service.

Expected Summer Bills

A typical New York City residential customer using 350 kilowatt hours per month can expect an average monthly bill of $141.28 from June to September 2025, an increase of 2.7 percent over last summer.
A typical Westchester residential customer using 500 kilowatt hours per month can expect a 1.1 percent decrease and an average monthly bill of $178.76 during the summer months.

A typical New York City commercial customer using 10,800 kilowatt hours per month with a peak demand of 30 kilowatts can expect a 9.8 percent increase over last year and an average monthly bill of $3,291.62.

A New York City small business customer using 583 kilowatt hours will see an increase of 8.1 percent to $267.51.

Bills include taxes and fees, delivery charges, which increased in January under a rate plan the New York State Public Service Commission approved in July 2023, and supply charges.

Con Edison buys energy supply on the wholesale markets and provides it to customers at the same prices it pays. When energy costs go up, the customer pays more; when costs drop, the customer benefits.

Manage Usage, Manage Bills

The best way for customers to save on their bills is to manage their usage. Customers who conserve energy at times of particularly high demand help Con Edison keep service reliable while also saving money and helping the environment:

Con Edison encourages customers to use energy wisely and consider enrolling in an energy efficiency program to save. The company offers programs for every type of customer – residential, small business, large commercial and low-income customers.
Con Edison offers residential customers incentives for clean heating and cooling technology. Con Edison also offers residential customers an $85 rebate for enrolling their eligible smart thermostat in the Smart Usage Rewards program.
The rebates and incentives for income-eligible customers include discounts on efficient equipment.
The company’s Budget Billing program allows customers to spread payments out across the year, avoiding spikes. This is especially helpful when energy usage ticks up.
The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority will cover the cost of an air conditioning unit and installation for eligible low-income customers whose households include at least one person susceptible to extreme heat and humidity. Apply for Cooling Assistance.

Additionally, Con Edison is acutely aware of the affordability issue and offers programs to help customers.

Customers who receive benefits from certain government programs may be eligible for discounts on their bills.
Con Edison offers payment plans for customers who are struggling to pay. The plans allow a customer to pay off arrears over time, instead of all at once.
Customers can get payment extensions of up to 10 days.

Summer Reliability

The demand for power for Con Edison customers last year reached 11,822 megawatts on July 16. For 2025, the company forecasts a peak of 12,610 megawatts. (A megawatt is 1 million watts.)

The record is 13,322 megawatts during a heat wave on July 19, 2013. The demand for power has not approached that amount since then, largely due to the company’s energy efficiency and smart usage programs and customer adoption of solar energy and other distributed resources.

Con Edison has technologies and procedures to keep service reliable during the summer months when customers’ need for air conditioning increases, potentially placing stress on electric delivery infrastructure.

Under extreme conditions, the company’s operators can open switches on 4-kilovolt overhead systems in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx to prevent power from shifting from failed cables onto cables that remain in service. That prevents the cables still in service from becoming overloaded.

Operators can use the smart meter system to shut off the flow of power in a targeted way when delivery equipment in an area is under stress. The emergency shutoff would affect residential customers served by the isolated equipment.

These temporary interruptions would prevent larger outages that would take longer to restore. In this scenario, most commercial customers would remain in service.

Critical customers such as hospitals, fire stations and police stations, would also remain in service. These interruptions would not affect households that have registered as having a resident who depends on life-support equipment.

Con Edison can also lower voltage to an area by 5 percent or 8 percent to take stress of the electric delivery equipment.

Enrolling in the LSE program is convenient via My Account, by downloading the life-support equipment form, and returning it to Con Edison, or by calling 1-877-582-6633.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues and $71 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

CON EDISON INVESTING IN MAJOR RELIABILITY PROJECTS SERVING CUSTOMERS IN BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND New Transmission Lines Will Help Meet Power Needs This Summer

NEW YORK – Con Edison will energize newly constructed transmission lines in Brooklyn and Staten Island this month, helping to keep service reliable when the demand for power rises and challenges the electric delivery system.

The underground cables, which represent a combined investment of $505 million, will provide multiple benefits for customers. They’ll help Con Edison accommodate growing power needs as New Yorkers choose electric vehicles and electric heating in buildings.

The lines, which are among the projects Con Edison is completing under its Reliable Clean City program, will provide new pathways for renewable power and support the New York State and City clean energy goals.

“Our Reliable Clean City investments demonstrate our commitment to maintaining our nation leading electric service while building a grid for the future,” said Matthew Ketschke, the president of Con Edison. “We need robust infrastructure to safely and reliably provide the power Brooklyn and Staten Island need to grow and thrive.”

Con Edison’s electric service is the most reliable in the nation. It is nine times more reliable than the typical service in New York State and in the United States.

Each 138-kilovolt line will have the capacity to carry 300 megawatts of power. That’s 300 million watts or enough to run 300,000 mid-sized window air conditioners, 400,000 refrigerators or 250,000 toaster ovens at a time.

The mile-long Brooklyn cable connects substations in the Gowanus and Greenwood areas. The Staten Island line runs for just over nine miles between substations on opposite sides of the island, one in the Goethals area and the other in the Fox Hills area.

Con Edison put its Reliable Clean City – Queens transmission line into service two years ago. The six-mile line runs from a substation in Corona to one in Long Island City

The Brooklyn and Staten Island projects increase reliability for customers in southern Brooklyn and the eastern half of Staten Island.

The Sierra Club and UPROSE supported Con Edison’s proposals for the Reliable Clean City projects.

“Con Edison reached out to our businesses, neighborhood groups, and elected leaders in advance of construction to let us know what to expect and minimize inconvenience,” said Elizabeth Yeampierre, the executive director of UPROSE, a Brooklyn, community-based organization. “When utilities include the community in the planning process we get to front-end and address concerns in advance of their development.”

“Con Edison’s investments in its infrastructure make it possible for businesses in Sunset Park and other parts of our region to prosper, create jobs, and serve our community with great products and services,” said Julio Pena, the chairperson of Community Board 7 in Brooklyn. “Projects like this one enable us to continue building a vibrant local economy with opportunities for all.”

In addition to these transmission line projects, the company recently began building a line connecting two substations in western Queens and will put that line into service by the summer of 2026. That $125 million project will carry 200 megawatts. (See a video and local TV coverage of that project.)

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues and $71 billion in assets. The utility provides electric, gas and steam service to more than three million customers in New York City and Westchester County, New York.

CON EDISON INVESTING IN RELIABILITY; BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION LINE IN WESTERN QUEENS TO MEET POWER NEEDS $125 Million Project Will Connect Two Substations, Serve Growing Demand for Electricity, Support the New Energy Future

NEW YORK – Con Edison is ensuring continued reliable electric service in fast-growing areas of Queens with the construction of a transmission line that will support economic development and the electrification of buildings and vehicles.

The Reliable Clean City – Long Island City project is a $125 million investment that will connect the Vernon and Newtown substations in Long Island City.

The line will have the capacity to carry 200 megawatts of power. That’s 200 million watts or enough to power up to 2 million flat-screen TVs, charge 40 million cellphones, or run 200,000 hair dryers.

(See a video on the project.)

Driven by economic growth, an increase in electric vehicle purchases and a surge in newly electrified high-rise buildings, the need for power in some neighborhoods would eventually exceed the capacity of the grid without this project. The line will be in service by the summer of 2026.

“Our Reliable Clean City – LIC project will increase the capacity of our system, helping us to maintain our world class reliability throughout fast-growing areas of Queens,” said Matthew Ketschke, the president of Con Edison. “Queens residents and businesses can rely on us to support growth, economic development and the electrification of transportation and buildings across these vibrant neighborhoods.”

The line will help ensure reliability for customers in areas of Long Island City, Sunnyside, Sunnyside Gardens, Woodside and Hunter’s Point. The construction of the line, when combined with other investments Con Edison is making, will also benefit other areas of the borough in the coming years.

Working with the Community
Con Edison wants to communicate openly with residents, business owners, elected officials and others in the area to minimize any inconvenience.

Con Edison will consider environmental impacts, including air protection and water quality during construction.
Con Edison has met with local elected officials, community boards, businesses, nonprofits, and others about the Reliable Clean City – LIC project to address their questions and concerns.
Con Edison has used construction signage, customer e-mails, work notifications and flyers to inform the community.
The project is one of three Reliable Clean City transmission lines Con Edison is building to strategically add needed capacity. The company plans to put lines in Brooklyn and Staten Island in service by this summer.

Con Edison completed another Reliable Clean City transmission line in Queens in 2023, connecting substations in Corona and Long Island City. That line allowed the closure of an inefficient, fossil fuel power plant, meaning cleaner air.

World Class Reliability
The Reliable Clean City – LIC project is among many infrastructure investments Con Edison is making to keep its service the most reliable in the United States for customers.

Con Edison’s electric service is nine times more reliable than other New York State providers and nine times more reliable than the United States average.

Based on 2023 data, the average Con Edison customer would experience an outage about once every nine years, not counting outages caused by severe weather.

“Long Island City is one of the fastest growing communities in the state with a surge of new residents, businesses, and development projects over the past decade,” said Laura Rothrock, president of Long Island City Partnership and executive director of Long Island City Business Improvement District. “As Long Island City thrives, our energy needs evolve. Con Edison’s infrastructure investment will ensure our community has the power it needs to continue on its exciting path.”

“Con Edison is continuing its two-century tradition of providing reliable energy, enabling western Queens to maintain our momentum as an increasingly attractive place to live, work and learn,” said Kenneth Adams, the president of LaGuardia Community College. “This investment will contribute to creating a thriving local economy, with successful businesses of all sizes and plentiful jobs.”

“Community Board 2 appreciates the continued improvements that are needed to sustain the growing infrastructure,” said Debra Markell Kleinert, district manager, Community Board 2. “These improvements and investments in the community are imperative to the positive growth for sustainability. We appreciate our ongoing partnership with Con Edison.”
Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues and $71 billion in assets. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas, and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations, and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

CON EDISON MEETS CUSTOMERS’ DEMAND FOR RENEWABLE, RELIABLE ENERGY WITH INCENTIVES TO IMPROVE AFFORDABILITY $321 Million in Incentives Reduce the Cost of Customers’ Energy Efficiency & Building Electrification Upgrades; $80 Million in Incentives Benefit Low- and Moderate-Income Customers; Customers’ Energy Efficiency Savings Exceeded $65 Million a Year;

NEW YORK – Con Edison customers adopted solar generation, battery storage and energy efficiency savings at an increased rate in 2024, with 54,000 solar customers reducing at least one electric bill to zero usage.

In 2024, customers doubled their annual solar generation capacity since 2020 and doubled their battery storage capacity since 2023.

“Con Edison customers continue to transition to clean energy in greater numbers. For example, in 2024, more than 338,000 energy efficiency program participants reduced their annual electric and gas bills and leveraged incentives,” said Vicki Kuo, senior vice president for Con Edison Customer Energy Solutions. “We’re working closely with our customers to help them make informed decisions to conserve energy and save money.”

Prioritizing Energy Affordability

Energy efficiency incentives totaling more than $161 million helped more than 338,000 customers reduce their energy use and save money last year. Of the $161 million, $80 million benefited low- and moderate-income customers.

Additionally, energy efficiency incentives saved customers more than $65 million a year on their annual energy bill with additional savings anticipated to accrue for many years to come.

Con Edison has provided customers nearly $421 million in energy efficiency incentives in the past three years. That saved customers enough energy to power more than 115,000 homes for one year.

The company’s Affordable Multi-family Energy Efficiency Program, last year funded energy efficiency upgrades that reduced energy use for more than 142,000 low- and moderate-income customers.

In 2024, Con Edison’s Energy Affordability Program (EAP) provided $311 million in discounts to help income eligible customers reduce their electric and gas bills. These discounts have increased by more than 80 percent since 2022.

In addition, Con Edison’s EnergyShare program distributed more than $500,000 in grants of up to $200 to income eligible customers for their energy bills. More than 2,700 families benefited from this program in 2024. The grants are made possible by $1. donations from customers and matched by Con Edison. Since 2000, more than $4 million in donations have helped more than 26,000 families.

Clean Energy Initiatives

Consistent with its Clean Energy Commitment, the company advanced its efforts to improve affordability, enhance its world-class reliability and support the transition to clean energy. The following are examples of these efforts.

Leading in Reliability: In November, Con Edison received the National ReliabilityOne® Award for providing the most reliable electric service in the nation by PA Consulting. The company was also recognized for its Outstanding Reliability Performance in the Northeast Region Metropolitan Service Area.

Meeting Growing Demand: The Reliable Clean City projects in Queens, Staten Island and Brooklyn are on schedule. Once complete, the RCC projects will add 900 megawatts of transmission capacity for customers, improving the grid’s reliability and supporting the region’s need for electricity.

Reducing Emissions: Last year, the company retired or replaced more than 78 miles of leak-prone pipe to improve safety, reliability and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Supporting Customers’ Clean Energy Initiatives Con Edison customers continue to choose clean energy alternatives including solar generation, battery storage, electric vehicle chargers, and clean heat options.

Solar Energy

Customers continue to choose solar panels to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels, and energy costs.

Con Edison customers installed 100 megawatts of solar generation capacity and 44 megawatts of battery storage capacity in 2024. Con Edison customers now have the capacity to produce more than 679 megawatts of solar energy generated with 75,200 installations.

Con Edison anticipates customer-owned renewable energy projects to remain strong for 2025, based on declining technology costs and incentives for customers. These include incentives such as Community Solar, Solar For All, Renewable Energy Access and Community Help (REACH), and NYSERDA energy storage incentives for retail and bulk projects.

Westchester County and Queens customers continue to be the top solar energy producers.

Battery Storage

Con Edison customers installed a total of nearly 91 megawatts of battery storage capacity by year’s end.

Battery storage customers can charge batteries when energy is less expensive and use it when demand is high and more expensive.

Westchester customers led the region with 676 of the 746 battery storage projects with the capacity to store 28 megawatts of power.

Con Edison continues to work with state and local partners to make it easier for customers to install solar panels and batteries.

Electric Vehicles & Charging

Con Edison’s PowerReady program has provided incentives for more than 11,000 Level 2 (L2) electric vehicle chargers. There are 4,163 L2 chargers located in disadvantaged communities and 2,494 are publicly accessible. The program has also provided incentives for 527 fast charging plugs, of which 322 are located in disadvantaged communities and 239 are publicly accessible.

Every EV that replaces a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle means cleaner air for local communities and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.

Clean Heat

In 2024, Con Edison customers installed nearly 14,000 heat pumps. Of those, more than 13,291 were air-source heat pumps, 150 were ground-source and 530 were heat pump water heaters.

Customers who installed heat pumps through the Clean Heat program in 2024, benefitted from more than $160 million in incentives.

Approximately 48 percent of the residential building electrification projects for the Clean Heat program were in Disadvantaged Communities (DAC) as defined by New York State.

The demand for the Clean Heat Program is strong with a 142 percent increase in total applications submitted in 2024 compared to 2023.

The Clean Heat program offers incentives for customers who replace their fossil-fuel powered HVAC systems and water heaters with heat pumps. Heat pumps move energy from the air or in the earth to provide heating and cooling.

From now until May 31, 2025, Con Edison is offering an additional $5,000 to the baseline Geothermal incentive amount. For a limited time, customers can receive up to *$30,000 when installing geothermal heating and cooling technology, or up to $40,000 for customers living in a Disadvantaged Community. Click here for more about the program.

CON EDISON PROPOSES INVESTMENTS TO MAINTAIN WORLD-CLASS RELIABILITY, MEET GROWING DEMAND FOR CLEAN ENERGY AND ENHANCE CUSTOMER SUPPORT Plan Includes Support to Increase Electrification of Buildings & Transportation, Help Drive Economic Growth Funding to Expand Outreach for Enrollment in Energy Affordability Program Investments to Fortify Grid for Extreme Weather

NEW YORK – Con Edison is seeking state regulatory approval for infrastructure investments that would help the company maintain its nation-leading reliable electric service and continue fortifying its energy systems, as extreme weather events become more frequent and severe.

The investment plan, subject to approval by the New York State Public Service Commission, supports clean energy investments needed to build and maintain the grid of the future, improvements to customer affordability programs, and IT infrastructure and tools that will better serve customers’ needs.

To meet the forecasted growth in customer demand from building and transportation electrification and from new development throughout the service territory, Con Edison is building new electric infrastructure. Con Edison customers are continuing to choose heat pumps and electric vehicles consistent with New York State’s climate laws and the proposed investments will help ensure the grid is ready to meet this demand.

“Con Edison is proud to serve more than 9 million people in New York City and Westchester County, supporting the vital economic, health, and transportation networks that keep our region thriving,” said Matthew Ketschke, president of Con Edison. “Our top priority is to deliver safe, reliable, and affordable energy to our customers. Our proposed investment plan will support critical work and investments in reliability, resiliency and clean energy infrastructure to meet the high expectations of our customers, who depend on us to deliver the most reliable electric service in the nation.”

The proposed electric and gas rate plans will support economic growth and development in New York City and Westchester County by investing more than $21 billion over three years to build new infrastructure, like transmission, substation and distribution facilities to er serve customers, including those in disadvantaged communities, and help ensure compliance with New York State’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Bill Impact and Advocating for Customers on Affordability and Taxes

The filing requests new rates for one year starting on January 1, 2026. Con Edison is open to a multi-year settlement, which would provide more cost certainty for its customers. Con Edison estimates that its investments would require approximately $1.6 billion more in electric revenue and about $440 million more in gas revenue, resulting in an average electric bill increase of 11.4 percent and an average gas bill increase of 13.3 percent.

Con Edison recognizes the economic challenges faced by many customers and is seeking funding to expand its outreach for enrolling eligible customers in the Energy Affordability Program (EAP). In 2024, Con Edison provided more than $300 million in bill discounts to those enrolled in the EAP.

Additionally, the plan estimates that increasing property taxes on energy infrastructure paid by customers account for nearly 27 percent of the proposed electric revenue increase and about 14.5 percent of the proposed gas revenue increase. Con Edison estimates it will collect more than $3.2 billion in property taxes from its customers in 2026 and welcomes the opportunity to work with policy makers on solutions that could direct that tax revenue back to low-income customers to provide bill relief or support clean energy programs.

Meeting Demand for Clean Energy, Maintaining Reliability and Resilience

Con Edison supports its customers’ energy choices while building a reliable and resilient grid capable of delivering 100 percent clean energy. Specific components of the investment include:

A substation complex in eastern Queens to support the growing demand for power from the redevelopment of JFK Airport, MTA bus depots and customer electrification in the Jamaica network that will also help to lower emissions contributing to cleaner air quality for the community.
A clean energy hub in Brooklyn that will unlock renewable energy while supporting reliability in local neighborhoods.
A Distributed System Technology Platform to integrate renewable energy sources and maintain grid stability during extreme weather. Supporting demand response programs helps Con Edison manage energy consumption to provide reliable service for all customers.
An electrification pilot for private, affordable multi-unit buildings to help address the affordability impact of heating electrification through bill credits to tenants not covered by rent control and residents in low-income co-ops. This pilot will provide insight and understanding into how to best help mitigate the cost of the clean energy transition for these tenants.
Expansion of service installation programs for new businesses, including electric vehicle infrastructure and building heating electrification, to accommodate the expected increase in activity due to the transition to electric vehicles and clean heat and new development.
Expansion of the electric delivery system in areas where medium- and heavy-duty fleets are located to facilitate the conversion to electricity for transportation, and to maintain system reliability and resilience while enhancing public and employee safety investments.

Cost Efficiencies & Productivity

Con Edison implements ongoing efforts to drive cost efficiencies by leveraging business processes, workforce and its technology:

Con Edison will continue its rigorous competitive bid processes for major contracts.
To drive efficiency of its operation and reduce energy waste, Con Edison will continue to deploy algorithms and sensors on underground equipment to help detect problems early and manage issues before they become costly.
Con Edison will also continue to implement energy efficiency programs to help low- and moderate-income customers reduce their energy consumption and costs.
Con Edison will continue investments in its digital channels, including websites, virtual assistant, and mobile applications to support customers’ ability to receive service promptly and effectively. Investments now in these robust channels will allow Con Edison to serve customers more efficiently by avoiding the need for millions of calls annually to its call center and the associated cost.

Reducing Methane Emissions from the Gas System

Con Edison’s gas plan includes investments to maintain the safety and reliability of its system. The company seeks to continue replacing cast-iron and unprotected steel main with durable plastic piping. Along with improving safety and reliability, the main replacement will reduce the emission of methane, a greenhouse gas that is about 30 times as potent as carbon dioxide in trapping heat around the earth.

Fortifying Infrastructure to Prevent Outages

Con Edison’s research with Columbia University and the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority found that extreme weather events will continue to increase in frequency and severity. The plan includes investments that will enhance reliability and resiliency to address more frequent and severe storms, hotter temperatures, and longer heatwaves.

These investments build on the company’s success in hardening its energy systems against severe heat, wind, flooding, snowstorms and rainstorms since Superstorm Sandy. The resiliency measures already implemented have prevented more than 1.2 million customer outages, and Con Edison seeks additional funding to help ensure it can keep pace with changing climate impacts.

Con Edison proposes:

Replacing overhead wire circuits with more resilient aerial cable and installing switches to diversify supply sources and maintain adequate power.
Hardening overhead wire circuits, particularly those serving customers that provide critical services. These include hospitals, warming and cooling shelters, pumping stations and first responder and emergency operations centers.
Placing some overhead circuits underground to protect them from tree damage and avoid outages during overhead storms.
Replacing sections of underground cable that the company’s analysis indicates are vulnerable to increasing temperatures caused by climate change.

Expanding Customer Outreach and Support

Con Edison is proposing continued investments in customer service enhancements to better serve customers, and in the IT systems necessary to make it easier to do business with Con Edison while keeping critical information and systems safe from increasing cyber threats. This includes:

Increasing customer service staff to shorten wait times and handle increased call volume.
Expanding outreach and tools that provide language translation services to meet the needs of the region’s diverse population.
New information technology infrastructure to expand bill payment options and cyber protections.
Protections for its customers through enhancements in cyber and physical security capabilities to meet evolving regulatory standards and increased threats to IT systems.

About the Investment Plan Filing Process

The filing starts an 11-month Commission process that will include public hearings and opportunities for local governments, consumer groups, environmental advocates and others to provide written testimony.

The rates the Commission sets will cover only Con Edison’s delivery of energy, not the energy itself. For those customers who don’t select a supply company, Con Edison buys electricity and natural gas on the wholesale markets, seeking stable pricing, and then provides that energy to customers without a markup and does not take a profit or a loss on the commodities.

For a copy of the rate filings and additional information, visit: Rate Plan Information | Consolidated Edison, Inc.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $69 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

10,000 AND COUNTING CON EDISON’S EV CHARGING INCENTIVE PROGRAM ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE FOR DRIVERS

NEW YORK – Electric vehicle drivers in New York City and Westchester County have gained more than 10,000 charging plugs that were installed with the help of incentives from Con Edison’s PowerReady program.

This milestone reflects a significant expansion of electric vehicle charging access for the region’s drivers. It translates to nearly 2.4 million tons of lifetime vehicle carbon emission reductions, meaning cleaner, healthier air for the communities Con Edison serves.

The PowerReady program is another example of Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment, which supports New York’s ambitious climate goals. Exhaust from vehicles that run on fossil fuels represent one of the biggest sources of carbon emissions across the country, and PowerReady makes it easier to switch to electric vehicles.

“Our PowerReady incentives support the buildout of a wide network to make EV charging more convenient and accessible for drivers in our region,” said Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, director, E-Mobility, Con Edison. “By making it more economic for developers to build stations, we are improving the charging experience for the nearly 100,000 EV drivers in our territory.”

Under PowerReady, parties that install Level 2 or direct-current fast chargers (DCFC) can offset some of the upfront infrastructure costs of preparing a site for EV chargers. These chargers are in diverse locations, including near apartment buildings, retail locations, workplaces, on street curbs, and at public fast-charging hubs.

Charging stations in disadvantaged communities or low-to-moderate income housing developments can qualify for the highest incentives, some of which may cover the full infrastructure cost of preparing a site for EV chargers.

Approximately 40 percent of the Level 2 plugs and 60 percent of the DCFC plugs that received PowerReady incentives are in disadvantaged communities. A Level 2 plug can charge an electric vehicle in four to six hours, while a DCFC plug can charge a vehicle in less than an hour.

PowerReady is the largest light-duty EV charging infrastructure program in the country. It will provide up to $585 million of customer incentives, with a goal of supporting about 25,000 charging plugs.

Since the first plug was installed, EV adoption jumped from 4 percent of new vehicles sales in 2021 to 11 percent in 2024. There are roughly six times as many chargers in New York City and Westchester County than there were when the PowerReady program began in July 2020.

PHOTO: A New York City cab driver charges his electric vehicle at a site that received infrastructure incentives through the PowerReady program.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $69 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas, and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations, and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

ENERGY AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM REDUCES BILLS UP TO $173 A MONTH FOR LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS Payment Plans, Budget Billing, Low-Income Discounts Available

NEW YORK – Con Edison customers who receive qualifying government assistance benefits can receive a discount of up to $173 per month on their energy bills, through the Energy Affordability Program (EAP).

Customers receiving Medicaid, Veterans Disability or Survivors Pension, Federal Public Housing Assistance, or Lifeline Telephone Service Program benefits among others can enroll online or apply via email, fax, mail, or in person at one of Con Edison’s walk-in centers.

Most customers receiving certain benefits, like Supplemental Security Income, Home Energy Assistance Program, and Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits, are automatically enrolled in the EAP.

The company encourages customers to visit coned.com/billhelp or scan this QR code for more information on eligibility and how to apply, and to learn more about additional assistance programs, like HEAP and EnergyShare.

This year, Con Edison has applied more than $201 million in discounts for electric and $40 million in gas discounts to low-income customers’ bills.

“Keeping energy affordable is a focus of our work,” said Kelsey Berger, section manager in Customer Operations. “We want customers to reach out to us if they have trouble paying their energy bill. We’re here to help. In addition to tips and tools for lowering energy bills, Con Edison offers a one-stop-shop for information and links to programs on its website designed to help our most economically vulnerable customers. We’re also working together with other organizations and agencies to connect our customers to the resources they need.”

The company continues to reach out to vulnerable customers via emails, newsletters, bill messaging, social media posts, and print, radio and digital advertising to encourage participation.

Con Edison also refers customers to NYSERDA’s EmPower+ program. This program provides no-cost energy efficiency services up to $10,000 for home energy upgrades for low-income customers. It also provides incentives of up to $5,000 with a 50 percent customer match required for moderate-income customers.

Con Edison continues to work to make sure that the move away from fossil fuels to a clean energy future does not disproportionately burden low-income customers.

The company also offers special protections and payment programs for seniors, people with disabilities, customers experiencing medical emergencies, and domestic violence.

Providing Convenient, Flexible Payment Options

Con Edison offers a wide array of Payment Plans. Customers can find the terms that are right for them by logging into My Account to see options including:

Budget Billing
Helps customers avoid seasonal price spikes by spreading energy payments out evenly across the year.

Payment Extensions
Gives customers up to 10 days of extra time to pay their bill.

Payment Plans
Allows customers who have fallen behind on their bills to pay down the outstanding balance in manageable, monthly installments.

Con Edison to Customers: STAY INFORMED, ALERT TO AVOID SCAMS

NEW YORK – As part of International Fraud Awareness Week starting November 17, Con Edison is joining forces with more than 150 U.S. and Canadian energy and water companies to help protect consumers from fraud. The campaign is spearheaded by Utilities United Against Scams, with November 20 recognized as Utility Scam Awareness Day.

Con Edison is urging customers to stay vigilant and learn to identify the tactics scammers use to pose as company employees. Scammers often demand personal information, and create a sense of urgency to trick their targets.

“As scammers become more sophisticated, we want our customers to know they can protect themselves,” said Michael Murphy, Con Edison’s vice president of Customer Operations. “If a customer feels pressured to share personal details, the best response is to stay calm, recognize that they are being scammed, and refuse to engage.”

Here are signs that the person contacting a Con Edison customer is a scammer:

Scammers call customers and instruct them to buy a pre-paid card. Once the customer puts money on the card and provides the scammer with the card number, the scammer steals the money. Con Edison does not accept payment by pre-paid debit cards, MoneyGram or similar transfers.
Scammers contact customers and demand payment via apps like Cash App, Venmo and Zelle. Con Edison does not support these platforms for payment. The company also does not accept payment via PayPal or bitcoin.
Many scammers try to get customers to give up their Con Edison account number, Social Security number or other personal information. The customer should hang up and call 1-800-75-CONED or the local police department.

Phone scammers can manipulate caller ID to make it look like the call is coming from a legitimate Con Edison number.

Once a customer makes a payment, scammers often claim the transaction failed and demand additional payments, leading some victims to lose thousands of dollars.

To avoid these scams, customers should always use the approved bill payment options available on Con Edison’s website.

Some utilities have reported an increase in utility impostor scams through digital methods, including search engine-related scams. Digital scam tactics include:

Sponsored ads on search engines that lead to an identical – but fake – utility bill payment page.
QR codes that scammers falsely claim link to a utility payment page.
Texts from a scammer claiming to be a utility representative, with a link to an impostor payment page.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $69 billion in assets as of September 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas, and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations, and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

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CON EDISON PROVIDES $9 MILLION TO JUMP-START FIRST STUDENT SCHOOL BUS ELECTRIFICATION IN BROOKLYN

Partnership With First Student Will Improve Air Quality,
Reduce Noise & Advance New York’s Clean Energy Goals

NEW YORK – Twelve electric school buses will take students to class in Brooklyn, thanks to a pioneering partnership between Con Edison and First Student, North America’s largest school transportation provider.

A group of school buses parked in a parking lot

Description automatically generatedThis initiative, supported by a $9 million investment by Con Edison, marks an important step toward a reduction in pollution and noise level, replacing diesel-fueled school buses.

Currently, four of the electric buses are operational, with plans to have the entire fleet of 12 up and running by next school year. These electric buses produce zero emissions, effectively eliminating the release of harmful pollutants into the air our children breathe.

“New York’s children and families deserve clean air, which is why we are proud to partner with First Student to launch more electric school buses on our streets,” said Britt Reichborn-Kjennerud, director, E-Mobility, Con Edison. “Con Edison will continue to make critical investments in clean energy so that every New Yorker can have a higher quality of life and thrive in communities free from the harmful impacts of pollution.”

“This project showcases the innovative potential of electrification in urban areas like Brooklyn, where space is limited, and the demand for clean energy is high,” said First Student CEO and President John Kenning. “By combining solar power with electric school buses and our advanced First Charge solution, we’re not only reducing emissions but also creating a smart energy hub that supports the local grid and enhances community resilience. This demonstration project paves the way for sustainable transportation solutions that can be replicated in cities across the country, all while providing students with a cleaner, quieter, and safer ride to school.”

“What a win for the health and safety of New York’s students and the bus staff who transport them to school,” said Mayor’s Office of Climate & Environmental Justice Executive Director Elijah Hutchinson. “This project builds off the great work our office has been doing convening school bus vendors, connecting them to funding and financing opportunities, and supporting them with applying for over 1,400 electric school buses. When we all work together, we can clean the air we breathe and get us closer to our ambitious goal of electrifying the nation’s largest school bus fleet by 2035.”

The electrification of school buses and other medium- and heavy-duty fleets is consistent with Con Edison’s Clean Energy Commitment and advances New York State’s clean energy goals.

The benefits of electric school buses are extensive, from improving air quality and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, to saving school districts money and creating clean energy manufacturing jobs and quieter communities.

The buses will be charged using smart energy management software, which will allow First Student to reduce electric bills without compromising operational needs.

Each bus will have solar panels atop its roof. In addition, First Student will charge the buses at a depot on Malta Street with power from a 500-kilowatt solar array. The depot will also have a two-megawatt battery that will discharge power into the buses’ batteries. (A kilowatt is 1,000 watts, while a megawatt is a million watts.)

The project will provide Con Edison with valuable information as the company prepares its grid for the coming influx of electric vehicles, including medium- and heavy-duty truck and bus fleets.

Electric school buses have a much greater fuel efficiency than diesel buses – around 2.17 kWh per mile, or 17.35 miles per diesel gallon equivalent (DGE). A standard diesel bus has a fuel efficiency of about 4.2 miles per DGE, which is four times less efficient than its electric counterpart.

Diesel emissions contribute to heart disease, asthma and other illnesses and are especially dangerous for young children and bus drivers. The electricity that powers these buses and other EVs will increasingly be produced by clean energy as New York transitions its energy portfolio.

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, diesel exhaust carries acid rain, which enters the human food chain, and contributes to ground-level ozone, which damages crops and trees.

The puffs of black smoke that come out through the tailpipe of a diesel vehicle also contain nitrogen oxides, which cause and aggravate respiratory illnesses and contribute to climate change.

Caption: First Student electric school buses featuring rooftop solar panels at a charging depot. For illustrative purposes only.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $68 billion in assets as of June 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit
ConEd.com.

As the leading school transportation solutions provider in North America, First Student strives to provide unmatched care and the safest ride to school to 5.5 million students every day. With a team of highly trained drivers, the company will complete 1 billion student trips during the 2024-25 school year. First Student delivers reliable, quality services, including full-service transportation and management, special-needs transportation, fleet electrification, route optimization, and scheduling, maintenance, and charter services with a fleet of about 45,000 buses. For more information, visit firststudentinc.com.

CON EDISON OFFERS CUSTOMERS PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY THIS WINTER Company Offers Payment Plans, Budget Billing, Low-Income Discounts; Customers Can Save with Careful Usage, Energy Efficiency Programs

Company Offers Payment Plans, Budget Billing, Low-Income Discounts;

Customers Can Save with Careful Usage, Energy Efficiency Programs

NEW YORK – Con Edison encourages customers to use energy wisely and save money once winter’s chill hits the region. And Con Edison can help.

Con Edison offers some of the most robust energy efficiency programs in the country and urges customers to find one that works for them. The programs pay incentives to customers who upgrade their lighting, HVAC systems and other equipment.

Customers can follow the company’s energy saving tips to help them manage their usage and costs while also protecting the environment.

Helping customers save on electricity and natural gas fits well with Con Edison’s environmental stewardship and support for the state’s clean energy goals, as the company makes clear in its Clean Energy Commitment.

As New York State transitions to renewables, Con Edison continues to invest in its gas delivery system to keep it safe and reliable. Many gas customers rely on natural gas for heat. Natural gas also powers electric generation plants and many customers rely on electric heat.

The company offers payment assistance options, including budget billing, which smooths a customer’s costs out throughout the year.

Helping Vulnerable Customers

Con Edison understands that energy costs can be a hardship, particularly for low- and moderate-income customers, and offers options to help.

Customers who have fallen behind on their bills can get on a payment plan or get a payment extension. A payment plan allows a customer to pay off arrears over time. Payment extensions give customers up to 10 extra days to pay their bills.

It is important for customers who are falling behind on bills to contact Con Edison early, before the arrears pile up.

Customers who receive benefits from certain government assistance programs can qualify for the company’s Energy Affordability Program to keep energy costs at or below 6 percent of average annual income.

The Home Energy Assistance Program provides benefits to qualified low-income customers to help cover heating costs during the winter months.

Con Edison offers protections during cold weather and payment programs for seniors, households with children, people with disabilities and customers experiencing medical emergencies.

Manage Usage, Manage Bills

The best strategy for Con Edison’s 3.7 million customers to manage their winter bills is to manage their usage. Customers can save money by using these tips:

Set thermostats at the lowest comfortable temperature. Each degree higher increases heating costs.
Clear area around heating and cooling vents. Carpets, furniture, and other objects can block vents and prevent heated air from circulating in your home.
Have a qualified contractor clean and inspect heating systems.
Insulate hot-water pipes and warm-air ducts that pass through unheated areas. Clean or replace filters for the hot-air furnace and heat pump.
Swap out window shades seasonally. Light-colored window coverings reflect the sun’s energy, while darker ones absorb it and release heat.
Replace conventional light bulbs with LED bulbs, which are up to 10 times more efficient, and widely available.
Unplug electronics when they’re not in use. Some high-energy devices like computers, televisions, and game consoles use electricity even when they’re turned off.
Maximize your home’s efficiency and improve comfort with proper insulation and air sealing. You’ll save energy and money year-round. Learn more: conEd.com/WeatherReady. Old or improperly installed insulation can lead to a loss of up to 30 percent of your home’s heating or air conditioning.

Winter Bills

Con Edison buys natural gas and electricity on the wholesale markets and uses a variety of strategies to stabilize pricing for customers. The company does not set supply costs and does not make a profit on the supply.

Energy costs are volatile and can fluctuate due to economic trends, weather, geopolitical turmoil like what is taking place in Ukraine and the Middle East and other factors.

The delivery charges are set by the New York State Public Service Commission following an in-depth, public process.

The company projects that a residential natural gas heating customer using an average of 158 therms per month will pay $398.88 a month from November 2024 to March 2025, 3.1 percent more than the average bill of $386.76 last winter.

A New York City residential electric customer using 280 kilowatt hours a month this winter will pay about $117.71, a 0.2 percent increase over last winter’s $117.51 based on the projections.

A Westchester County residential customer using 425 kilowatt hours a month will have an average bill of $153.64, a 3.7 percent increase over last winter’s $148.16, based on latest estimates.

A residential low-income customer who qualifies for the Energy Affordability Program can receive a discount up to $178 per month, based on qualifying tier.

For a small commercial customer in New York City using 583 kilowatt hours per month, bills are projected to rise $23.89, or 10.5 percent, from $227.55 last winter to $251.44.

A larger commercial customer in New York City using 10,800 kilowatt hours with a peak demand of 31 kilowatts will see an increase of $37.30, or 1.3 percent, from $2,973.34 to $3,010.64.

Con Edison expects to have adequate supplies of natural gas this winter to reliably serve its 1.1 million gas customers.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $68 billion in assets as of June 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

CON EDISON CUSTOMERS SHINE DURING CLIMATE WEEK; THE FUTURE FOR GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS IS BRIGHT

Company Has Major Infrastructure Projects Underway;

Clean Energy Transition Creates Jobs & Drives the Economy

NEW YORK – Con Edison’s Clean Energy Update for the second quarter, coinciding with Climate Week, highlights customers’ achievements in reducing their carbon footprint and advancing the transition to reliable, clean energy solutions.

Con Edison has provided customers with incentives for more than 8,400 electric vehicle chargers and more than 70,000 customer solar projects. Those solar arrays have the capacity to produce 622.6 megawatts of clean, renewable solar power. That’s more than 5 times the energy needed to power Times Square.

Customers in Queens lead the way, completing 23,852 solar projects through the second quarter of 2024. Westchester’s 12,617 projects have the capacity to generate the most power at 166.4 megawatts.

In Brooklyn, the company continues work on its Clean Energy Hub, an $810 million transmission substation that will be the first offshore wind interconnection point within the five boroughs. Creating more than 500 skilled labor jobs at peak construction, the Hub will be able to accommodate up to 1,500 megawatts or enough electricity to power 750,000 homes.

“During Climate Week and all year round, the women and men of Con Edison are sharing energy solutions with New Yorkers,” said Matt Ketschke, president of Con Edison. “We continue to build partnerships with communities, academics, industry leaders, policymakers, advocates, and other stakeholders and are pleased to serve as a resource for collaborating, innovating, problem solving and taking action to advance New York’s clean energy future.”

Con Edison’s employees and clean energy experts will participate in dozens of events across the region during climate week. The company is also proud to support efforts by its partners to promote climate awareness and award-winning solutions including: the Trust for Public Land, Green City Force, Urban Design Forum, New York Botanical Garden and more.

Con Edison Initiatives

Con Edison continues to advance projects aligned with its commitment to clean energy.

Reliable Clean City (RCC) Projects

In October, the company will host an official groundbreaking ceremony on the Reliable Clean City Idlewild Project, an indoor, storm hardened 138kV transmission substation which will allow additional Points of Interconnection for energy storage, future clean energy projects. It will also include a second substation. This $1.2 billion investment will modernize the electric grid, advance the clean energy transition, and create more than 400 skilled union labor jobs at peak-construction.

The nine-mile Goethals to Fox Hills Reliable Clean City transmission project is on track for completion this year. This project will meet the increasing energy needs of our customers.

Construction of the mile-long Gowanus to Greenwood Reliable Clean City transmission line continues. It will be the interconnection point for 810 megawatts of offshore wind from the Empire Wind project.

Customer Initiatives

Con Edison customers continue to choose solar, battery storage, electric vehicles and chargers, and clean heat options when making decisions about technologies that work best for them.

Solar Generation

Con Edison customers are capturing the sun’s energy at a record pace.

Staten Island was second only to Queens within 13,424 projects installed and 121.5 megawatts of capacity.

Battery Storage

Con Edison customers installed 53 megawatts of storage capacity through the second quarter. Westchester customers lead the region with 589 of the 653 battery storage projects with the capacity to store 14.2 megawatts.

The company has also installed 9.5 megawatts of utility-owned storage for a total storage capacity of 62.5 megawatts.

Con Edison continues to work with state and local partners to make it easier for customers to install solar and battery storage projects.

For customers with low incomes thinking of adding solar and/or battery storage the company’s Distributed Energy Resources Make Ready program offers incentives to cover all, or a portion of, utility-side upgrade costs for installing solar and/or an energy storage system.

Electric Vehicles & Charging

Con Edison’s PowerReady program has provided incentives nearly 8,000 Level 2 and 400 DC Fast chargers. Of the charging plugs installed, 3,021 EV chargers are in disadvantaged communities and 1,898 are publicly accessible.

Every EV that replaces a gasoline- or diesel-powered vehicle means cleaner air for local communities and less greenhouse gas emissions fueling climate change.

Con Edison has completed 116 fleet site assessments year-to-date. That more than doubled the assessments completed in the same time frame as last year. Site assessments are a free, preliminary service that provides a high-level desktop review of the utility-side work and timelines required to support a proposed EV project.

More than one third of the company’s internal combustion engine light-duty vehicle fleet has been replaced with electric vehicles. The company’s commitment is to have 80 percent of its light-duty fleet electrified by 2030 and 100 percent by 2035.

Clean Heat

Con Edison’s Clean Heat program more than doubled the number of projects acquired in the first quarter of this year. The program offers incentives for customers who replace their fossil-fuel powered HVAC systems and water heaters with heat pumps. Heat pumps move energy from the air or stored in the earth to provide heating and cooling.

In the first half of 2024, customers completed 4,240 heat pump projects with a $40 million investment including incentives and outreach efforts to build awareness and encourage customer adoption.

Of the 4,240 pumps installed, more than 4,150 were air source heat pumps. Ground source heat pumps were a distant second with 77 installations, followed by seven heat pump water heaters.

Con Edison is a subsidiary of Consolidated Edison, Inc. [NYSE: ED], one of the nation’s largest investor-owned energy companies, with approximately $15 billion in annual revenues for the year-end 2023 and $68 billion in assets as of June 30, 2024. The utility delivers electricity, natural gas and steam, and serves 3.7 million customers in New York City and Westchester County. For financial, operations and customer service information, visit conEd.com.

PSC Directs Con Edison, O&R to Take Next Steps on Natural Gas Planning Action Will Help the Two Utilities Meet New York’s Nation-Leading Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets

ALBANY — In advance of Climate Week, the New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today directed Consolidated Edison Company of New York, Inc. (Con Edison) and Orange and Rockland Utilities, Inc. (O&R) to provide additional information and to propose pilot programs to take steps toward decarbonizing the gas systems in their service territories. The natural gas plan and the actions directed in this order constitute important steps in the process of decarbonizing the companies’ systems and toward achieving the greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets established in the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (Climate Act).

“The action taken by the Commission today will ensure that gas utilities continue to provide safe, adequate, and reliable service while striving to meet the State’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets,” said Commission Chair Rory M. Christian. “Modernizing gas planning procedures is important because it subjects local gas distribution companies’ long-term plans to transparent review. In addition, it ensures that they conform to State policies while allowing gas utilities to continue to provide safe and adequate service.”

Additionally, today’s action will require the companies to move forward with a strategy to lower their greenhouse gas emissions and to provide bill impact analyses, a definition for hard-to-electrify customers, propose pilot demand response programs, and file a non-pipes alternative deployment plan, among other actions. The two companies combined serve approximately 1.2 million natural gas customers in New York State. Con Edison is the largest utility in New York State.

This year, Climate Week will be held Sept. 22 through Sept. 29. The purpose of Climate Week is to draw attention to climate change and to drive climate action forward.

The review of Con Edison’s and O&R’s long-term gas plans has been detailed and thorough. A public information session and multiple stakeholder technical conferences were held to gain stakeholder input. More than 500 public comments were received, in addition to approximately 29 reply comments of stakeholders. The Commission engaged a consultant, PA Consulting, to assist in the review.

New York State’s Nation-Leading Climate Plan

New York State’s climate agenda calls for an orderly and just transition that creates family-sustaining jobs, continues to foster a green economy across all sectors and ensures that a minimum of 35 percent, with a goal of 40 percent, of the benefits of clean energy investments are directed to disadvantaged communities. Guided by some of the nation’s most aggressive climate and clean energy initiatives, New York is advancing a suite of efforts – including the New York Cap-and-Invest program (NYCI) and other complementary policies – to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40 percent by 2030 and 85 percent by 2050 from 1990 levels. New York is also on a path toward a zero-emission electricity sector by 2040, including 70 percent renewable energy generation by 2030, and economy-wide carbon neutrality by mid-century. A cornerstone of this transition is New York’s unprecedented clean energy investments, including more than $28 billion in 61 large-scale renewable and transmission projects across the State, $6.8 billion to reduce building emissions, $3.3 billion to scale up solar, nearly $3 billion for clean transportation initiatives and over $2 billion in NY Green Bank commitments. These and other investments are supporting more than 170,000 jobs in New York’s clean energy sector as of 2022 and over 3,000 percent growth in the distributed solar sector since 2011. To reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, New York also adopted zero-emission vehicle regulations, including requiring all new passenger cars and light-duty trucks sold in the State be zero emission by 2035. Partnerships are continuing to advance New York’s climate action with more than 400 registered and more than 130 certified Climate Smart Communities, over 500 Clean Energy Communities, and the State’s largest community air monitoring initiative in 10 disadvantaged communities across the State to help target air pollution and combat climate change.

CON EDISON CREWS RESTORING CUSTOMERS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY Company Reminds Customers to Stay Safe and Report Outages

NEW YORK – Con Edison crews have restored service to nearly 9,000 customers in Westchester County and are working to restore the approximately 2,600 customers who remain out of service.

Heavy rain and strong winds pushed tree limbs into overhead power lines. The damage caused over 11,600 customers in Westchester County to lose power with White Plains, Scarsdale, and New Castle being among the hardest-hit communities. The number of customers out of service in Westchester reached 7,700 early this evening.

Con Edison crews, supplemented by 660 outside workers, will work around the clock to get customers back in service. Throughout Con Edison’s service territory, company crews restored service to over 12,500 customers and are working to restore the remaining 3,400 without service. .

The company urges members of the public to stay away from downed wires. They may be live. For your safety, we may guard downed wires until crews make repairs. Our personnel may be in unmarked cars but will always have Con Edison identification.

Restoring service

The priority for restoration will be critical customer facilities that have an impact on the public, such as mass transit, hospitals, police and fire stations, and sewage and water-pumping stations. Crews will then prioritize repairs that will provide power to the largest numbers of customers as quickly as possible, then move on to restore smaller groups and individual customers.

Reporting an outage

Customers can sign up for text alerts at coned.com/text. Customers can also report outages and check service restoration status at conEd.com/reportoutage, or with Con Edison’s mobile app for iOS or Android devices, or by calling 1-800-75-CONED (1-800-752-6633).

Customers who report outages will receive updates from Con Edison with their estimated restoration times as they become available. Information on outages and restoration times is also available at the Con Edison outage map.

Safety Tips

Do not go near downed electrical wires. Treat downed wires as if they are live. Never attempt to move them or touch them with any object. Be mindful that downed wires can be hidden from view by tree limbs, leaves or water.
Report downed wires to Con Edison and your local police department immediately. If a power line falls on your car while you’re in it, stay inside the vehicle and wait for emergency personnel.
Members of the public should also avoid transformers that are brought to the ground. The transformers are gray metal drums attached to the wires and poles.
If your power goes out, disconnect or turn off appliances that would otherwise turn on automatically when service is restored. If several appliances start up at once, the electric circuits may overload.
Charge your cellphones and other mobile devices while you have power.
Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for installing and using a portable generator. Never plug a generator into a wall unit, use it indoors or set it up outdoors near open home windows or air-handling vents.
Make sure your flashlights and any battery-operated radios are working. Have a supply of extra batteries. Weather updates and news on electrical service can be heard on local radio and television stations.
For more storm tips and preparation, go to www.conEd.com
The company is in contact with New York City Emergency Management and the Westchester County Department of Emergency Services to coordinate storm-response if needed.

GOVERNOR HOCHUL

State Agencies Respond to Governor Hochul’s Request to Assess the Impact of Federal Energy Tariff Threats Governor Hochul Directed DPS, NYSERDA and Division of Homeland Security to Conduct Urgent Review of Tariff Impacts and Provide a Transparent Accounting of Effects on Energy Prices and Reliability New York’s Investment in Clean Energy and Transmission Projects Insulates New Yorkers from Near-Term Costs Related to Tariffs on Canadian Energy

Governor Hochul Directed DPS, NYSERDA and Division of Homeland Security to Conduct Urgent Review of Tariff Impacts and Provide a Transparent Accounting of Effects on Energy Prices and Reliability

New York’s Investment in Clean Energy and Transmission Projects Insulates New Yorkers from Near-Term Costs Related to Tariffs on Canadian Energy

DPS, NYSERDA and DHSES Response Viewed Here

ALBANY — The Department of Public Service (DPS), the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) and the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services (DHSES) responded to Governor Kathy Hochul’s directive to complete a thorough review of the federal energy tariffs and Canadian retaliation that have caused significant instability in capital markets and threaten to drive up electricity and heating costs, destabilize New York’s energy markets, and hurt families and businesses across the state by making New York less affordable.

A letter last week from Governor Hochul and Senator Charles Schumer directed an expeditious review of President Trump’s tariffs and the retaliatory measures being threatened by Ontario Premier Doug Ford to provide a transparent accounting of their effects on energy prices and supply reliability. Agency experts reviewed available data and consulted with personnel from affected industries, including electric and natural gas utilities, fuel suppliers, and the New York Independent System Operator, to develop an initial report. The report examines the impact that the 10 percent energy tariff may have on natural gas, heating oil, propane, diesel and gasoline imports. It also examines a range of impacts that a 10 to 25 percent tariff could have on electricity imports.

According to the agencies’ response, the fluidity and uncertainty surrounding President Trump’s trade policy makes it difficult to accurately forecast the precise impacts of the tariffs. It is still unclear whether the tariffs are meant to include electricity sales. While the 10 percent energy tariff has been in place since March 4, and energy imports have continued unchanged since they took effect, the tariffs have not yet appeared on invoices from suppliers.

According to the agencies, cost increases will not be material in the near-term due to New York’s rigorous policing of energy reliability and significant investment into clean energy and transmission projects. However, the cost increases will be borne by households and businesses across New York and, over time, with added influence from tariffs on other sectors, New Yorkers could experience compounding cost impacts.

New York’s Energy Affordability Policy has established a goal to cap household energy expenses at no more than six percent of household income. Under this policy, New York utilities provide utility bill discounts to eligible low-income households. The policy is funded by all of New York’s utility ratepayers and supplemented by the federal Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). As these discounts are adjusted annually to reflect actual energy costs, any energy cost increases caused by the tariffs will require increasing the budget for the Energy Affordability Policy. Continued federal assistance from LIHEAP is essential to help vulnerable New York households pay for their utility service.

Governor Hochul’s Budget Advances Historic Investments in NYSOFA Services and Priorities for Older Adults Governor Hochul proposes largest investment in aging services in New York State history

The New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) today highlighted key supports for older adults in Governor Hochul’s Fiscal Year 2026 Executive State Budget, which advances historic investments in NYSOFA community programs and services. The budget also proposes bold affordability and public-safety measures that deliver for older New Yorkers and families across state agencies and services.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, “Older adults bring enormous economic and social value to their families, their communities, and the economy. Governor Hochul recognizes these vital contributions with a fiscal plan that promotes opportunity and economic security for older New Yorkers, caregivers, and families alike. This budget provides critical supports to help older New Yorkers age in their communities of choice and support those who care for them with direct services.”

According to NYSOFA, individuals over age 50:

Represent 36% of the state’s population yet contribute 43% ($719 billion) to the state’s GDP. Spending by this population supports almost 6 million jobs.

Generate $482 billion in wages and salary.

Contribute $72 billion (41%) in state and local taxes.
Older adults’ pension and Social Security income infuse $99.5 billion into New York’s economy. Individuals 55 and older also have high rates of volunteerism, generating an economic value of $13.2 billion annually. (See additional data on NYSOFA’s website.)

FY26 Budget Proposals Supporting Older Adults, Their Families and Caregivers

The budget proposals and recently announced State of the State agenda include the largest investment in community-based aging services in New York State history. The budget adds $45 million through NYSOFA for older New Yorkers across the state awaiting services (also known as “unmet need”). This brings total funding to $68 million in FY26, up from $33 million last year, for a total of $200 million invested for this purpose since 2019.

Based on currently reported local needs and projections, the additional $45 million would include the following funding increases for aging services in each Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) region of New York, including locally determined needs for services like personal care, case management, nutrition, and other supports.

REDC Region

Western New York

Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara

$5,473,177

Finger Lakes

Genesee, Livingston, Monroe, Ontario, Orleans, Seneca, Wayne, Wyoming, Yates

$3,196,078

Southern Tier

Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Delaware, Schuyler, Steuben, Tioga, Tompkins

$4,204,735

Central New York

Cayuga, Cortland, Madison, Onondaga, Oswego

$1,990,417

Mohawk Valley

Fulton, Herkimer, Montgomery, Oneida, Otsego, Schoharie

$2,381,987

North Country

Clinton, Essex, Franklin, Hamilton, Jefferson, Lewis, St. Lawrence

$6,619,444

Capital Region

Albany, Columbia, Greene, Rensselaer, Saratoga, Schenectady, Warren, Washington

$2,793,164

Mid-Hudson

Dutchess, Orange, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Ulster, Westchester

$8,161,657

New York City

$5,953,080

Long Island

Nassau, Suffolk

$4,794,996

The Governor’s budget also includes the following additional investments and programs to support older New Yorkers across agencies:

$6.19 million for the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP), maintaining last year’s funding increases. LTCOP serves as an advocate for residents and their families in nursing homes and other facilities.

Middle class tax cuts for joint filers up to $323,000 per year, putting more money back into the pockets of older adults, particularly those on fixed incomes.

Inflation rebates – to help address the cost of living for older adults and families by providing a payment of $300 to single taxpayers who make up to $150,000 per year, and a payment of $500 for joint tax filers making up to $300,000 per year.

Expansion of the Child Tax Credit – to put additional money in the pockets of over 300,000 grandparents who are the primary caregivers of their grandkids.

Efforts to restore the SALT (state and local taxes) deduction at the federal level, saving older homeowners from rising property taxes.

Recreation Infrastructure – grant programs to enhance community centers for promoting physical health, mental well-being, and community connections for people of all ages.

Expanded victim support services – to increase compensation for scam victims.

Strengthening drugged driving laws and lowering speed limits in NYC bike lanes – to improve pedestrian safety and make for safer streets. In New York state, there were 14,099 pedestrian crashes in 2022, with 324 fatalities and 13,547 injured, according to state data. Children and older adults are primarily impacted.

Investments in agriculture – to strengthen the supply chain and access to New York products. The majority of farmers are over age 55 and the statewide average age is 57.

Expand enforcement of wage theft laws, which will put more money in the pockets of workers of all ages.

Extending the NY HELPS (NY Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide) Program, which provides opportunities for skilled older adults to join the New York State workforce.

Increasing access to government services, including benefits such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), which helps older adults apply for and receive healthy food assistance, recognizing that food is medicine.

Innovative approaches to homebuilding such as factory-built and modular homes that are less expensive and provide older adults an opportunity to downsize, if they choose to, and open more housing stock for larger families.

Banning investors from buying homes for 75 days – providing an opportunity for people of all ages to identify a suitable home and not have it taken by large investors for cash.

Pro-Housing Community Program technical assistance and redevelopment of abandoned property – working with counties and municipalities to change their planning and zoning and redevelop vacant/abandoned buildings, which will increase housing stock and lower costs for older adults looking to downsize.

Banning rent price fixing – to lower the cost of rent for older adults and families.

Enhance subway safety so older adults can travel on subways without fear.

Invest in statewide transit, assisting many older adults who no longer drive but still need to be connected to their communities.

Consumer protections, such as longer timeframes to return products, a proposal to make it easier for consumers to cancel their subscriptions and combating financial exploitation of older adults. Financial exploitation costs older adults $28 billion annually in the U.S., according to AARP.

Mental health access – to hold insurance companies accountable for coverage, increasing access for older adults, and creating intergenerational community-wellness (following models that responded to community needs in the aftermath of the Tops Supermarket shooting in Buffalo).

Older adults on Medicaid – Increasing access to obesity drugs, which will improve older adults’ overall health, including the risk of cardiovascular disease; expanding access to community emergency services; expanding access to dental care; increased oversight of investors in health facility ownership (which has an impact on access, quality and affordability in hospitals and nursing homes); expanding access to air conditioners for individuals with chronic conditions; reducing health disparities; reducing the cost of prescription drugs; and increasing access to wheelchairs for older adults with disabilities.

Enhancing Veterans suicide prevention – which will assist older adults, who make up 70% of the state’s Veteran population, while also addressing specific risk areas like the growing incidence of firearm-related suicides among older men.

Expanding support for homeowners and businesses due to severe weather events – which will help older homeowners with urgent repairs and older businessowners to recover from weather-related damages.

Investing in clean water – improving the health of New Yorkers of all ages.

Expanding access to open space – for New Yorkers of all ages to get outside, exercise, socialize and connect.

Becky Preve, Executive Director of the Association on Aging in New York, said, “On behalf of New York’s 59 Area Agencies on Aging and their community-based partners, we applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the value of older New Yorkers and the value of our network of caring professionals. This historic investment will support services that directly impact the lives of older New Yorkers and caregivers. We look forward to continuing to work with Governor Hochul and members of the Legislature to build upon these investments.”

Stephen J. Acquario, Esq., Executive Director of the New York State Association of Counties, said, “It is crucial that our public policies prioritize the well-being of older adults. By investing in comprehensive services and support systems, we can ensure that older New Yorkers lead healthy, dignified, and fulfilling lives. We commend Governor Hochul for her ongoing commitment to addressing the needs of older adults.”

Beth Finkel, AARP New York State Director, said, “AARP New York commends the leadership of Governor Hochul for proposing an unprecedented amount of funding to ensure those waiting for aging services get the help they need. The additional resources will also help those family caregivers who are struggling to piece together care every day to keep their older loved ones at home as long as possible. We look forward to working with the Governor and the Legislature to make sure that funding for these vital aging services is included in the final state budget.”

GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF MAJOR $13.7 MILLION SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AS PART OF THE CENTRAL ISLIP DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE

New Sewer Line Along Carleton Avenue in Central Islip Will Support Compact, Mixed-Use, Transit-Oriented Development to Reenergize the Downtown

$2 Million in Funding for the Project Provided Through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative

Governor Kathy Hochul and the Department of State today announced the completion of a $13.7 million sewer infrastructure project along Carleton Avenue in downtown Central Islip as part of the community’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. The sewer line will support compact, mixed-use development in the downtown around the Long Island Rail Road station, including housing, small businesses, cultural attractions, walkable streetscapes and public amenities. Central Islip received $2 million for the project through the Downtown Revitalization Initiative.

“New York’s downtowns are the life blood of our state, and the Downtown Revitalization Initiative helps our communities transform into even better places to live and work,” Governor Hochul said. “This new sewer line will unlock a host of opportunities for Central Islip, creating more housing for residents and driving economic revitalization for businesses and local communities.”

“Sewer infrastructure might not sound exciting on the surface, but it is the key to unlocking increased development and downtown vibrancy here in Central Islip and throughout Suffolk County,” said Secretary of State Walter T. Mosley. “This essential project brings the community one step closer to realizing the vision outlined in their Downtown Revitalization Initiative plan.”

The Carleton Avenue sewer project included the installation of approximately 4,500 feet of new sewer line that will serve Central Islip with an average flow of 277,000 gallons per day. This project is vital to the success of Central Islip’s entire downtown revitalization effort. Previously, businesses and housing within the DRI along Carleton Avenue were served only by septic systems. This prohibited the development of certain “wet use” establishments, such as restaurants. It also severely restricted mid- and high-density development over two stories that are necessary for downtown vibrancy and revitalization.

The project was funded by:

$2 million from the New York Department of State’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative;
$7.2 million from the U.S. Department of Commerce;
$1 million from the Town of Islip IDA;
$1.8 million from Suffolk County; and
$1.7 million from the Town of Islip.
U.S. Senator Charles Schumer said, “I am proud to support the revitalization of downtown Central Islip through federal investments I secured for the new sewer line along Carleton Avenue, including $7.2 million in EDA funding from the American Rescue Plan and a $3 million federal HUD grant. The completion of this project, with the help of these vital federal investments, will bolster Islip’s local economy by updating its wastewater infrastructure, creating jobs, and generating investment in the area.”

Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine said, “Wastewater infrastructure is the most pressing need we have to protect our environment and help grow the economy. I thank Gov. Hochul and our federal representatives for their support of this project.”

Town of Islip Supervisor Angie Carpenter said, “The completion of the Carleton Avenue sewer extension represents what’s possible when every level of government works together with the community. This transformational project not only modernizes our infrastructure but unlocks Central Islip’s potential for smart, sustainable growth while protecting our environment. We are proud to deliver this essential upgrade to the community.”

Senator Monica Martinez said, “Suffolk County’s economic potential is tied to the capacity of its wastewater infrastructure. Investing in water treatment capacity is one of the most important ways municipalities support a community’s growth, and completing the Central Islip Sewer Project will sustain and enhance the vitality of this downtown corridor. Today is a recognition of that investment and of the partnership between New York State and Suffolk County to make it happen.”

Assembly Deputy Speaker Phil Ramos said, “The completion of the sewer installation on Carleton Avenue, along with the repaving, marks a significant milestone for our community and will serve as the spark that revitalizes our downtown. Securing the necessary funds years ago was a crucial achievement, and now, with the completion of this phase, these improvements are paving the way for new businesses, enhancing services, and ensuring that Central Islip remains a vibrant and diverse place to live, work, and thrive. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Governor Hochul and Supervisor Carpenter for their partnership and dedication to building a stronger, more prosperous Central Islip.”

Central Islip’s DRI Strategic Investment Plan focuses on the Carleton Avenue corridor between Suffolk Avenue and South Street, which constitutes the core of the community’s downtown. Prior to the DRI award, the area was lacking in public realm and physical amenities and a desirable mix of land uses, which prevented the community from functioning as a vibrant downtown district. Through the DRI, the community envisions a vibrant, diverse and walkable downtown with a mix of higher density land uses, such as housing, businesses, cultural attractions and public gathering spaces, that are accessible to the LIRR station.

Central Islip is the Long Island Region’s Round 3 winner of a $10 million DRI award in 2018. Other Long Island DRI winners include Westbury, Hicksville, Baldwin, Amityville, Riverhead, Huntington Station and Smithtown/Kings Park. The Long Island Regional Economic Development Council is currently reviewing applications for DRI Round 8 awards.

Other projects supported through the DRI award include:

Pedestrian Enhancement along Carleton Avenue to improve pedestrian safety and connect the downtown to other community resources.
Transform the former LIRR site into a vibrant, mixed-use, transit-oriented project, including affordable and market-rate housing, retail, cultural facility and public plaza.
Develop a mixed-use building at a highly visible corner of the Carleton Avenue corridor, including multi-generational housing, commercial space and parking.
Create a 5-mile Central Islip walking and biking History Trail, with interpretive signage and marketing.
A fund administered by the Town of Islip Community Development Agency to rehabilitate and improve buildings along the downtown corridor to attract new businesses, activities, customers and visitors.
About the Downtown Revitalization Initiative
The Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) was launched in 2016 to accelerate and bolster the revitalization of downtowns and neighborhoods in all 10 regions of the State to serve as centers of activity and catalysts for increased local investments. Led by the Department of State, DRI communities benefit from partnerships with and coordinated technical assistance provided by the Department of Housing and Community Renewal, Empire State Development and the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority. The DRI represents an unprecedented and innovative “plan-then-act” strategy that couples strategic planning with immediate implementation.

To date, DRI has awarded a total of $800 million to 81 communities in its first seven rounds and invested in the creation of over 4,500 new housing units. It is estimated that every dollar invested in the DRI generates $3 in additional investments as the revitalization accelerates and projects are completed. This catalytic effect will continue well after DRI communities complete all their projects.

In 2022, Governor Hochul created the NY Forward program to build on the momentum created by the DRI. The innovative program, which is funded at $100 million in this year’s Enacted State Budget, supports a more equitable downtown recovery for New York’s smaller and rural communities with a focus on hamlet and villages. NY Forward is meant to serve smaller communities and support local economies that often have a feel and charm that is distinct from larger, metropolitan urban centers funded through DRI. To date, NY Forward has awarded a total of $200 million to 43 communities over two rounds.

Thus far, the DRI and NY Forward have invested in the revitalization of 124 communities throughout the State, with a total statewide investment of $1.2 billion.

FYI: GOVERNOR HOCHUL LAUNCHES EFFORT TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS AHEAD OF TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON APRIL 8

New York State Will Distribute Limited Edition I LOVE NY Eclipse Glasses at 30 Locations Throughout the State – Including New York State Welcome Centers and Select Service Areas Along NYS Thruway

Urges New York Stargazers to be Wary of Scams, Fake Merchandise and Phony Accommodation Listings

Announces Expansion of Ongoing I LOVE NY Eclipse Safety Awareness Campaign to Include Messaging Promoting Glasses Distribution Across the State

Builds on Statewide Preparations for Once-in-a-Generation Celestial Event

Governor Kathy Hochul today launched a statewide effort to protect New Yorkers ahead of the Total Solar Eclipse on Monday, April 8. The effort includes statewide distribution of limited-edition I LOVE NY eclipse glasses at 30 locations throughout the state – including New York State Welcome Centers and select service areas along the NYS Thruway – as well as a reminder for stargazers to be wary of scams, fake merchandise and phony accommodation listings. In addition, the Governor expanded an I LOVE NY campaign to urge New Yorkers to take proper safety precautions during the eclipse. Today’s announcement builds on previous actions to prepare the state, as well as New York stargazers, for the once-in-a-generation celestial event.

“The total solar eclipse will be a once-in-a-generation experience for our state, and it’s critical that New Yorkers have the tools and information to enjoy it safely,” Governor Hochul said. “From heightening awareness of scams to providing thousands of New Yorkers with eclipse glasses, I’m focused on giving everyone the resources they need to safely experience this extraordinary event.”

On April 8, a total solar eclipse will encompass the western and northern parts of New York State with the roughly 100-mile wide path of totality entering in the southwestern part of the state at just after 3:15 p.m. and departing northern New York just before 3:30 p.m. Cities and towns within this path include Jamestown, Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Watertown, Old Forge, Lake Placid and Plattsburgh. The entire event will last for up to 2 ½ hours, marking the time the sun is first obstructed to the last moments when the moon’s shadow is cast.

I LOVE NY Eclipse Glasses

During the eclipse, it is especially unsafe to look directly at the sun without specialized eye protection and can result in serious injury. The partial phases of the solar eclipse can only be safely observed directly with specialized eclipse glasses or a handheld solar viewer – regular sunglasses are not a safe replacement.

A limited quantity of I LOVE NY eclipse glasses will be available beginning today at locations throughout the state, including New York State Welcome Centers and select service areas along the New York State Thruway (at the Applegreen C-Stores). A full list of locations distributing I LOVE NY glasses, as well as other sources for eclipse glasses, are available here. Glasses will be limited to two pairs per person, while supplies last, with a limited amount distributed daily. The glasses were approved by the New York State Department of Health and carry an ISO certification.

A digital marketing campaign was launched in January to promote general awareness of the eclipse and viewing options across New York State. Messaging of the campaign has expanded to include safety and preparedness information as well as information on eclipse glasses distribution. The campaign will continue to run up until the eclipse on April 8.

Protecting Stargazers From Scams

The New York Department of State’s Division of Consumer Protection is providing tips for the hundreds of thousands of consumers planning to travel to New York State to witness the solar eclipse over New York. Consumers need to be informed of their rights, shop smartly to safeguard their hard-earned money and stay vigilant to protect themselves from scams.

According to the Better Business Bureau, scams associated with the 2024 solar eclipse may include:

Travel Scams: Scammers may advertise discounted travel packages or transportation services for viewing the eclipse, only to disappear with customers’ money or provide subpar services.
Fake Merchandise: Unscrupulous vendors might sell counterfeit or overpriced eclipse-themed merchandise.
Phony Accommodation Listings: Scammers could create false hotel or rental listings claiming to have optimal views of the eclipse while these listings may not exist or properties may not be as described, or the lister is not really the owner.

To safeguard against these scams, consumer should:

Try to pay with a credit card. Credit cards often offer more protection than paying by cash, check or debit card. Some credit card companies also offer perks like trip insurance or concierge service while traveling and may offer additional protections if the trip is cancelled. Check with your credit card company on the conditions of travel expenditure reimbursement.
Purchasing Merchandise. Purchase eclipse viewing glasses and other related products only from reputable vendors or verified sources. Look to see if the glasses include the ISO stamp and message When seeking eclipse glasses or handheld solar viewers, your best bet is to start with the AAS list of suppliers so you can be sure your viewers are safe.
Personal Information. Exercise caution when providing personal or financial information online. This advice is good all year round, not just for the eclipse.
Do Your Research. Verify the legitimacy of accommodation listings by researching the property and reading reviews from trusted sources.

Any consumer who encounters a marketplace problem while enjoying the eclipse in New York can file a complaint with the Division of Consumer Protection at https://dos.ny.gov/consumer-protection.

Additional Preparations for Total Solar Eclipse

New York State is committed to providing a safe and fun eclipse experience, recognizing the convergence of public safety and tourism promotion. Travelers are encouraged to plan an extended getaway for a more enjoyable event, including avoiding post-eclipse traffic like the massive backups following the Great Eclipse of 2017, which bisected the United States from Oregon to South Carolina.

Educational Information and Viewing

Earlier this month, Governor Hochul announced the eclipse events and activities scheduled at New York’s State Parks, in coordination with NASA. I LOVE NY has launched the multi-platform “Come for the Eclipse, Stay for New York” campaign to present New York as THE place to be to witness this event. The campaign and a special eclipse website highlight viewing location information in the five regions that will experience the path of totality, a variety of attractions and special eclipse-related events happening across the state across its digital platforms including Instagram, Facebook, TikTok and Twitter/X. A downloadable special edition eclipse poster is also available, created through I LOVE NY’s partnership with acclaimed artist and professional astronomer Dr. Tyler Nordgren. Visit iloveny.com/eclipse for viewing locations and additional safety tips.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “The excitement is building for this extraordinary celestial event happening for the first time in 99 years. As hundreds of thousands of solar eclipse enthusiasts visit and travel throughout our state, we urge New Yorkers and tourists alike to be vigilant and follow our tips so they can enjoy the eclipse without becoming prey to fraudulent schemes.”

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, “New York’s prime location in the path of totality for this rare total solar eclipse has generated substantial interest from residents and visitors alike. Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, we’re working to ensure viewer safety through multi-agency public safety coordination and the distribution of complementary I LOVE NY eclipse glasses. This once-in-a-lifetime event will further support our vital tourism industry, benefiting hotels, restaurants and businesses, as eclipse enthusiasts explore viewing locations throughout the state.”

New York State Department of Transportation Commissioner Marie Therese Dominguez said, “As part of New York State’s multi-agency coordination effort, state agencies under Governor Hochul’s direction are working in unison to make sure that the upcoming solar eclipse is as enjoyable and safe as possible. New York State will be one of the primary destinations for people hoping to catch a rare glimpse of this natural wonder, which will provide new opportunities for the economy and tourism, along with unique traffic challenges. If you are coming to New York to enjoy this event, please come prepared with food and water; please be patient, as you may encounter traffic and please do not park on the side of the roads – so emergency vehicles can safely access the roadways. The team at NYSDOT is planning to ensure that everyone not only enjoys the eclipse safely, but hopefully takes in some more sights while they’re here.”

New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The most important step to ensure New Yorkers enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime event is to protect your eyes. ISO certified eclipse glasses will shield your eyes from serious and possibly permanent damage, which can occur by looking at the eclipse with regular sunglasses or without any eye protection. I am grateful Governor Hochul is making the specialized glasses available in dozens of locations around the State to ensure this experience is a safe and enjoyable one.”

New York State Thruway Authority Acting Executive Director Frank G. Hoare said, “Thousands of additional motorists are expected to use the New York State Thruway to travel to their destination to view the eclipse on April 8. Motorists stopping at select service areas on the Thruway will be able to pick up a free pair of eclipse glasses to safely view this once in a lifetime experience. For the safety of all travelers, there is no parking on the shoulders of the highway, and parking in Thruway service areas will be limited. We encourage travelers to arrive to their destination early, drive safely and have fun at this historic event.”

Mark J.F. Schroeder, Commissioner of the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles and Chair of the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee said, “This is an exciting day for New Yorkers and our visitors to experience a rare phenomenon, and we want to make sure everyone can do so safely. If you’re driving during the eclipse, be prepared to experience sudden darkness, and do not try to look at the eclipse while you’re in motion. Find a place to park if you want to look, and make sure you have proper eyewear. You should also be aware that traffic in viewing areas will be heavier, so expect delays and take it slow.”

Claire Rosenzweig, President & CEO of Better Business Bureau – Metropolitan New York said, “A solar eclipse is exciting but don’t let your guard down to those who try to trick you and vanish with your money. Independently verify products and services and never give your personal or financial information to a stranger.”

GOVERNOR HOCHUL AWARDS $1.1 MILLION TO FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE

Funding for 11 Community-Based Organizations Will Help Low Income Families Understand Purchasing Power

Programs Will Provide One-On-One Coaching With Financial Professionals Offering Training and Education on Budgeting and Financial Management

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York Department of State has awarded $1.1 million in grant funding to 11 community-based organizations across six regions of New York State. $100,000 grants will be used to fund financial literacy programs in these communities. Individuals with incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal Poverty Guidelines will be eligible to participate in the programs. Language access services will also be made available to individuals that have limited English proficiency.

“Financial literacy is crucial to helping New Yorkers save their hard-earned money as they work to build a better life for their families,” Governor Hochul said. “Through these programs, we can arm New Yorkers in communities across the state with the tools they need to build a more secure economic future for themselves and their loved ones.”

The Financial Literacy Programs will provide one-on-one coaching with experienced financial professionals offering training, as well as education regarding budgeting and financial management. A key component of the initiative is to help individuals and families better understand their purchasing power. Participants will receive information regarding homeownership, improving credit scores, decreasing dependence on credit card debt, opening checking and savings accounts, asset building and how to avoid financial scams.

Each of the participating organizations will partner with community banking institutions as well as local, state and/or federal agencies for referral to additional services that may be available to help strengthen and improve their financial standing.

Programs will be in the following regions of New York State:

New York City
Capital Region
Mohawk Valley
Western New York
Southern Tier
Finger Lakes

These programs are fully funded through the federal Community Services Block Grant and will be managed by the Department of State’s Division of Community Services. The programs were awarded based on a competitive RFP process.

Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Financial management is one of the most important tools to acquire in order to achieve economic independence and stability. Empowering communities with financial literacy creates a ripple effect that can lead to and ultimately foster prosperous families, a stronger workforce, and more robust communities throughout the state. Teaching individuals how to save, borrow, spend, and invest is essential, especially in underserved communities. Having a sound financial education increases one’s chances of achieving their goals for a better quality of life – and that – benefits everyone.”

Community Service Society of New York City President and CEO David R. Jones said, “The Community Service Society of New York believes that every New Yorker deserves to live with dignity and economic security. Through the NYS Financial Literacy Initiative, CSS has expanded the work of its Financial Coaching Corps to target individuals with limited access to much needed financial coaching services. By providing support and education, we hope to instill in people the power to create change in their own lives.”

Executive Director of Albany Community Action Partnership Neenah Bland said, “I would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude for being chosen to receive funding from the New York State Financial Literacy Initiative, to support our program, Let’s Make Cent$. Through this program, ACAP is helping low-income families in Albany County strive to break the cycle of poverty by providing opportunities and resources to help individuals take control of their financial well-being and build a foundation for a more secure and prosperous future. This Initiative aligns with our mission to partner with families and communities to expand opportunities and build stronger networks to foster upward economic mobility.”

Mohawk Valley Community Action Executive Director Amy Turner said, “Mohawk Valley Community Action Agency is pleased to have this opportunity to partner with families and guide them through increasing their overall financial wellness. The smiles we see when someone achieves their goals worth a million!! The program will continue to grow and help more families in the Mohawk Valley because of this grant award.”

Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. in Western New York CEO Diane Hewitt-Johnson said, “Providing Financial Literacy Services is critical when assisting individuals to become self-sufficient. Financial Literacy provides the foundation necessary to make positive movements when building personal assets. Chautauqua Opportunities Inc. has been providing Financial Literacy Services for many years and sees the benefits to the individual, families, and community as a whole. We use the FDIC Money Smart curriculum which dives into the topics of earning, spending, saving, borrowing, and protecting assets. Financial literacy is the key to economic security.”

Director of Qualitas of Life Foundation of Westchester Myriam E. Rebling said, “Qualitas is honored to have received the Financial Literacy Initiative grant from NY State Department of State to continue its mission of providing financial education to low-income Hispanic families to improve their financial health and standards of living. Our participants have given us moving testimonies of financial goals they have achieved. This inspires us to continue helping more and more families in our community.”

Tioga Opportunities in the Southern Tier Executive Director Maureen Abbott said, “The importance of financial literacy as a cornerstone of the anti-poverty work being done in Tioga County is the foundation for success for those we serve. Finding one’s way out of poverty or a vulnerable financial state must be rooted in understanding one’s relationship with money and how this relationship has assisted or hampered one’s ability to attain financial goals. Tioga Opportunities, Inc. is committed to integrating financial literacy into all service areas in order to maximize customer attainment of financial goals.”

About The Division of Community Services

The New York Department of State’s Division of Community Services works with an extensive network of regional community action agencies to combat poverty among poor and low-income families. The Division of Community Services directs funding to these non-profit organizations to help provide low-income and poor families across New York State with necessary services, including employment assistance and training, emergency food and housing, childcare, home heating and much more. Community action agencies are beneficiaries of New York State’s Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) funds, which are administered by the Division of Community Services. The Division monitors and tracks agencies’ progress in fulfillment of goals, while also ensuring compliance to CSBG guidelines. More information is available on the Department of State website.

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL, MTA LAUNCH “SUBWAY SURFING KILLS – RIDE INSIDE, STAY ALIVE” PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

Comprehensive Campaign Features Student-Created Graphics and Animations, Digital Signage, Audio Announcements, Posters and Banners in Stations and Schools, NYPD Outreach and Presence at Key Stations

New Partnerships with Social Media Platforms for Placement of Public Service Announcements

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) today unveiled “Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive” — a new comprehensive, multi-channel public information campaign in partnership with the New York City Department of Education (DOE), the New York City Police Department (NYPD), and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). The new campaign centers around, is designed for, and was created by New York City teenagers — putting the youth voice front and center in a peer-to-peer effort to deter this dangerous behavior among young people.

“Each subway surfing death takes tragically strips young New Yorkers of promising futures said Mayor Adams. “We cannot endure another tragedy on our trains. That’s why we are partnering with the MTA on an innovative campaign to raise awareness, and we have recruited true social media experts to help lead it: young New Yorkers. Our young people know best how to reach their peers, and they want to help keep their friends safe. We will make sure that every young New Yorker understands: ‘Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive.’”

“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority,” Governor Hochul said. “Through this innovative partnership, young New Yorkers will hear directly from their teachers and peers about the extreme danger of subway surfing, saving lives and preventing more tragedies. New York will continue to do everything we can to keep our young people safe on the subways.”

“Riding outside a train car is subway stupidity and never ends well,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “We are begging parents to speak with their children and teachers to talk to their students about what can seem like a game but can end in tragedy. I want to thank Governor Hochul, Mayor Adams, and our city agency partners for their strong support in raising awareness about the dangers of this so that we can prevent any more young lives being senselessly lost.”

“A viral video is not worth your life,” said DOE Chancellor David C. Banks. “Led by students from the High School of Art and Design, this campaign is truly made by students, for students, and I’m so proud of all the work and advocacy that has been done by our young people. Subway surfing kills, and far too many of our bright young students have died due to this trend. Today, and every day, I’m urging every child to ride inside and stay alive.”

“Our message to New York City’s youth is clear: Always ride inside the train,” said NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban. “Subway surfing is dangerous, it is illegal, and it can be lethal. The NYPD will continue to do everything we can to stop this reckless behavior — but it starts with sound decision making. So be smart, be safe, and always ride inside the train.”

“The urgent message of this campaign is clear — subway surfing is irresponsible and dangerous, and it can be deadly,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “Life is to be celebrated but not atop a subway car. Young people need to seriously consider the risks and the pain and suffering of loved ones left to care for them or grieve. We are asking the public to join the mayor and our partners in saving lives by reporting subway surfing, and we are encouraging peers to have those difficult but persuasive conversations with friends engaged in reckless behavior.”

Subway Safety Palm Card

“Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive” Vertical Poster

“Subway Surfing Kills – Ride Inside, Stay Alive” will include public service announcements in stations recorded by students; digital signage across stations; student-created graphics and animations; posters and banners across stations and distributed in schools; physical palm cards distributed at schools and in stations; school swag including planners, pens and pencils, notepads, and sticky notes; social media posts across platforms including TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube in the form of posts, reels/shorts, and influencer collaborations; distribution of new student MetroCards accompanied by a “Subway Surfing Kills — Ride Inside, Stay Alive” palm card; and anti-surfing messages on the back of some MetroCards for sale in subway station MetroCard vending machines. Meta, Google, and TikTok are also making space available on their platforms to help amplify the new messaging campaign. Through a partnership with Governor Hochul’s office, Google is making space available for the campaign to play on YouTube.

Starting in early July 2023, a group of five recent graduates from the High School of Art and Design on the East Side of Manhattan were asked to create graphics, animations, and messaging for trains, stations, and schools that address subway surfing along with calls to action. The student-led “Subway Squad” developed digital posters, animatics, voice announcements, and social media strategies for the campaign. An offshoot of the DOE Office of Student Pathways’ Summer Design Institute, the Subway Squad is comprised of a graphics team (Milana Blokhina, Maksymilian Rychlicki, and Nicholas Setiawan) and animation team (Langening-Arum Ratmansunu and Dalma Chiclayo) whose message and designs will be made visible and audible in subway cars and subway stations, as well as on social media.

The NYPD is contributing to the campaign by deploying officers to stations on outdoor elevated lines and by conducting home visits with youths who have been observed riding outside of trains. In 2023, the NYPD has already taken enforcement action on 87 subway surfers — nearly tripling its enforcement from 2022. The NYPD conducted 69 home visits to known subway surfers between April and June this year, and had follow-up conversations with the guardians of all 82 youth against whom NYPD took enforcement action for subway surfing. There have been five fatalities due to suspected subway surfing in 2023, compared to five total fatalities between 2018 and 2022. The MTA has documented over 450 instances of people riding outside of trains between January and June in 2023.

“A core connecting value of public schools, transit bureau and the MTA is keeping people safe and getting where they need to be in life. Our summer design institute team, the Subway Squad, rose to the occasion in every way using a design thinking approach and empathy-forward design strategies,” said Art and Design High School Principal and Subway Squad Creative Director Maximillian Re-Suigura. “We’re using the voices of young people to reach other young people in making good decisions. Safe decisions. This campaign is proof that students from Art and Design and all New York City public schools can compete with any agency in developing strategies and deliverables that make a difference.”

“I am so proud of the work my fellow students at Art and Design, and I did this summer to create this campaign alongside city leadership,” said Milana Blokhina, student, Art and Design High School. “With the campaign now being implemented, it is so fulfilling to know that we contributed to something bigger: the safety of fellow New Yorkers and all who travel in our subways. We hope that the work we have accomplished is proof of the creative capacity of New York City public school students and highlights the importance of design for the greater good.”

“The growing number of tragedies related to subway surfing is concerning,” said New York City Council Member Oswald Feliz. “Subway surfing is dangerous, and we must do everything we can to deter such conduct — including taking steps to ensure our youth know these actions are extremely dangerous and not worth it. I applaud Mayor Adams and the MTA on taking steps to help resolve this growing threat.”

“Educating our youth about the dangers of subway surfing will help prevent unnecessary tragic accidents,” said New York City Council Member Julie Menin. “By amplifying teenagers voices through this campaign, we are creating a peer-to-peer force that will steer our youth away from danger. Thank you, Mayor Adams and the MTA, for investing resources to deter hazardous behavior.”

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE $70 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT TO DECARBONIZE NYCHA BUILDINGS AS PART OF CLEAN HEAT FOR ALL CHALLENGE

Midea America and Gradient Selected by NYPA to Develop New Heat Pump Technology and Produce 30,000 Initial Units

Advanced Heating and Cooling Solutions Will Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Improve Resident Comfort

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced today that the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) are moving forward with the Clean Heat for All Challenge through a planned $70 million initial investment in the development and production of 30,000 new heat pump units for use in New York City Public Housing facilities.

Last week, the NYPA Board of Trustees awarded the funding through two seven-year contracts to Midea America and Gradient for the development and delivery of cold climate packaged window heat pump units. The announcement is the latest milestone in the Clean Heat for All Challenge, an initiative spearheaded by NYCHA, NYPA, and NYSERDA to develop a new electrification product that can better serve the heating and cooling needs of existing multifamily buildings and hasten the transition to fossil-free heating sources.

“Our administration is laser-focused on providing safe, high-quality, affordable housing for all New Yorkers, and today, we are delivering on a commitment in our housing blueprint that brings us one step closer,” said Mayor Adams. “We understand better than ever that our city’s most pressing crises are interconnected, but the solutions can be too. I am so proud to be partnering with Governor Hochul to deliver top-of-the-line technology for NYCHA residents to heat and cool their homes while also reducing our carbon footprint and helping to protect New Yorkers from health issues like asthma.”

“New York is tackling the climate crisis and the need for affordable housing head on, and the funding announced today will go a long way in addressing both,” said Governor Hochul. “Prioritizing green investments in public housing ensures the state’s bold climate agenda is equitable, benefiting all New Yorkers now and in the future. NYCHA residents deserve high-quality homes, and we’re working to make that happen.”

The Clean Heat for All Challenge reflects the goals of Mayor Adams’ “Housing Our Neighbors” blueprint for getting New Yorkers into safe, high-quality, affordable homes. The first city housing plan to cover the entire spectrum of New Yorkers’ housing needs and options, the blueprint outlines a plan to transform NYCHA by both delivering much-needed resources for repairs and streamlining the services NYCHA provides residents and the processes by which they do so.

Heat pump technology provides efficient cooling and heating from a single unit by moving heat between the indoor and outdoor spaces depending on the season. The process is achieved through the refrigeration cycle, which can be up to four times more efficient than traditional heating systems, such as boilers, which rely on on-site combustion of fossil fuels to produce heat. Heat pumps are difficult to install, particularly in occupied units. As a result, many operators prefer to delay electric conversion in favor of in-kind replacement of fossil fuel systems.

Over the next year, NYPA will coordinate with Midea America and Gradient to develop the proposed heat pump technology for testing and demonstration. NYPA will then collaborate with NYCHA to install 60 of the developed units in designated public housing to be comprehensively monitored and assessed over the course of a winter season before moving forward with the widespread installation of 30,000 units throughout the following years.

The heat pump units developed to meet the Clean Heat for All Challenge will enable rapid, low-cost electrification of space heating in multifamily buildings by reducing or eliminating many of the cost drivers inherent to installing existing heat pump technologies in resident-occupied apartments, including electrical system upgrades, lengthy refrigerant piping, and through-wall drilling and penetrations.

Midea America, which was awarded a contract for 20,000 units, is a global appliance manufacturer founded in 1968 with headquarters in China and the U.S., 11 factories around the globe, and annual output of 67 million units. They are a market leader in room air conditioning with a line of Energy Star rated window ACs, dehumidifiers, and other packaged ACs.

Founded in 2015, Gradient is a startup based in San Francisco, California, that was awarded a contract to manufacture 10,000 units. The proposed unit will be a cold climate heat pump capable of operating at low temperatures based on NYCHA’s specifications. The company intends to manufacture the product domestically in the United States.

In June, Governor Hochul signed legislation creating the New York City Public Housing Preservation Trust, a public benefit corporation, to help NYCHA invest billions of dollars in capital to fund repair, rehabilitation, and modernization of 25,000 supportive-housing apartments under NYCHA control. The Trust also guarantees homes are kept affordable by preserving rights that ensure residents only pay 30 percent of their income toward rent, residents maintain all current succession rights, apartments will continue to be reserved for low-income residents, and apartment vacancies will continue to be filled using the NYCHA waiting list.

“NYCHA residents have suffered freezing winters and boiling summers for too long. As a model for cleaner, more reliable heating and cooling for homes across the city and hopefully the country, the Clean Heat for All challenge will put public housing residents at the forefront of our decarbonization efforts,” said New York City Chief Housing Officer Jessica Katz. “This $70 million investment is an incredible step forward in the face of a changing climate that will have an impact on both those living in these homes with the new window units as well as our city as a whole. Thank you to New York Power Authority and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority for their partnership in support of NYCHA residents and a greener future.”

“The partnership between NYCHA and NYPA to develop new green technologies and pathways to implement them across a large portfolio of residential buildings will serve as an example to all property owners as we implement Local Law 97,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Rohit T. Aggarwala. “Buildings are the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the five boroughs, and it is these types of innovative projects that will help us meet our critical climate goals.”

“The technology developed through the Clean Heat for All challenge will be transformational for the market and will help clear many of the hurdles buildings face to adopt clean heating and cooling,” said Kizzy Charles-Guzman, executive director, New York City Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice. “The cleaner air, improved comfort, and safety that heat pumps provide are vital to the health of our communities, and this partnership will have impacts far beyond the affordable housing market: It will create local green jobs, support New York City’s efforts to help homeowners through programs like ElectrifyNYC and continue to demonstrate the City and State’s leadership on tackling the climate crisis.”

“The lack of an efficient and affordable solution for electric heating and cooling remains one of the primary hurdles for meaningfully reducing our carbon emissions footprint, especially for many of the tall residential buildings that comprise our portfolio,” said NYCHA Chair and CEO Greg Russ. “This innovative public-private partnership helps move NYCHA towards a low-carbon future, by bringing the promising technology of beneficial electrification to the largest public housing authority in the United States.”

“I applaud Mayor Adams and Governor Hochul for leading by example with this forward-thinking action plan, showing private building owners that through innovation and investment, we can make real progress in reducing the harmful greenhouse gases coming from our buildings,” said New York City Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric A. Ulrich.

“NYPA is excited to progress the Clean Heat for All Challenge through the selection of the initiative’s first vendors, which will develop and produce 30,000 heat pump units for the benefit of NYCHA residents,” said Justin E. Driscoll, interim president and CEO, NYPA. “The decarbonization of buildings — the state’s largest carbon emissions source — is critical to achieving the governor’s ambitious climate change goals.”

“NYSERDA is proud to support the Clean Heat for All Challenge and congratulates these two innovative companies as they begin work on what is expected to be an efficient, cost-effective, easy to install, heating and cooling solution for NYCHA residents,” said Doreen Harris, president and CEO, NYSERDA. “The combined focus on advancing new heat pump technology in multifamily buildings and ensuring the health and comfort of underserved populations supports Governor Hochul’s commitment to achieve 2 million climate-friendly homes by 2030 while ensuring that all New Yorkers benefit from clean energy investments.”

“Lowering or eliminating the reliance on fossil fuels in existing and new buildings is fundamental to New York State achieving the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA),” said New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas. “Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates how the collective efforts of state and local government to decarbonize our housing stock will create climate-friendly affordable homes as well as healthier, safer, and more resilient communities for all New Yorkers.”

“I am especially excited about the latest milestone in the Clean Heat for All Challenge, which will invest $70 million in developing and producing 30,000 new heat pump units for NYCHA facilities,” said New York State Senator Kevin Parker. “This investment stays true to Local Law 97 and our CLCPA goals by reducing emissions from the number one energy user and a top CO₂-emitter buildings. Perhaps, more importantly, this will play a pivotal role in realizing a critical aim of the CLCPA by making sure that climate justice and underserved communities are prioritized in the state’s clean energy conversion. The inability to bring efficient and affordable clean heating and cooling solutions to climate justice communities are major obstacles for effectively reducing our carbon footprint overall and by supplying NYCHA buildings with heat pump technology this can be curbed. I applaud this all-hands-on-deck collaboration, which saw proposals vetted by NYCHA, NYPA, and NYSERDA and is receiving federal and state funding. This is a true example of climate change and climate justice aligning.”

“The boilers that heat the homes of my neighbors at Woodside Houses were taken out by Hurricane Ida, leaving them with inconsistent heat throughout the winter,” said New York State Senator Jessica Ramos. “Even predating this, I remember having to bundle up to visit my friends as a child here in Woodside Houses, because their shaky heating infrastructure was not up to the task. Launching Clean Heat for All here is a demonstration that we understand what it looks like to build resilient frontline climate communities. With this project, New York takes another significant step to keep the state on track to meet the goals set forth by the CLCPA.”

“For far too long, the infrastructure of our NYCHA developments have been allowed to crumble, all while the needs of our families in public housing went ignored and overlooked,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “That’s meant years of sweltering summer days and frigid winter nights without any recourse — or respect — for our residents, or any care for the carbon emissions these buildings emanate. But the Clean Heat for All Challenge represents a significant first step in flipping the script for thousands of families. From making NYCHA sites more energy efficient to creating clean-energy jobs in our communities to ensuring our families are treated with a basic sense of dignity they deserve as human beings, the Clean Heat for All Challenge is a win for our city. I look forward to working with Governor Hochul and all our partners on this critical initiative.”

“For too long the residents of NYCHA, specifically Woodside Houses, have been without any heat,” said New York State Assemblymember Brian Barnwell. “Winter after winter, we made complaint after complaint for this issue to be addressed. Thank you to Governor Hochul for addressing this life-or-death issue after years of broken promises from others. This investment will help save lives.”

“Since August 2021, our neighbors in NYCHA Woodside Houses have been living without heat and hot water. Hurricane Ida flooded the outdated heating plants, and they were never fixed. Access to sustainable, environmentally friendly heat sources are a necessity,” said New York City Councilmember Julie Won. “We saw firsthand how many of our residents were living without heat in the dead of winter, like those who experienced the fire at the Twin Parks complex in the Bronx. Clean Heat for All is essential to ensuring that our NYCHA residents don’t overheat or freeze during outages. Installing 150,000 electric heat pumps in NYCHA complexes across our city is an important step towards a greener New York, and I want to thank Governor Kathy Hochul and Mayor Adams for prioritizing Woodside Houses during this launch.”

“Midea is excited to be leading the development of new technologies that can support more energy efficient and environmentally friendly options for heating and cooling,” said Adam Schultz, research and development manager, Midea America Research Center Residential Air Conditioning. “Midea has a rich history of developing innovative air conditioning products, including cutting-edge heat pump and inverter technologies. As a result, the product we have developed for the Clean Heat for All Challenge is the next generation of innovation, leveraging our decades of expertise to deliver a cold climate window heat pump at very high efficiency levels. We feel that this product is a great step towards achieving the clean energy goals that the city and state are striving for and the beginning of a strong partnership.”

“With the introduction of Local Law 97, New York City took a major step forward in the urgent fight against climate change,” said Vince Romanin, CEO, Gradient. “And as the largest public housing authority in North America, NYCHA faced an interesting challenge with LL97: putting heat pumps in buildings that weren’t designed for them. As many of our customers have found, installing mini-split heat pumps in older buildings can be expensive and complicated. But the way NYCHA is promoting electrified heating and efficient AC through the Clean Heat for All Challenge is a testament to its commitment to the comfort of its residents and the resilience of its infrastructure. This partnership is a huge validation of Gradient’s vision to advance building decarbonization in New York City and beyond.”

“The Fund for Public Housing is proud to support this innovative public-private partnership by launching the Clean Energy Academy, preparing public housing residents to work in a 21^st-century career,” said Alex Zablocki, executive director, Fund for Public Housing. “With our partners at NYCHA, and support from governmental agencies and the private sector, the Clean Energy Academy will train 100 NYCHA residents within two years readying them for careers in building electrification and clean energy, providing residents with the opportunity to learn new skills and advance a career in this growing sector. The academy will provide a tailored curriculum to meet the needs of NYCHA’s decarbonization goals. This program is only possible with the multi-year philanthropic support and technical expertise of our partners.”

Governor Hochul Announces New Yorkers Can Now Choose an "X" Gender Marker on NYS Driver License and ID Cards

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that New Yorkers will have the option to choose “X” as a gender marker on their driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID card at all Department of Motor Vehicle offices statewide. This change is being implemented in accordance with the State’s Gender Recognition Act, which goes into effect on June 24. This landmark legislation provides expanded protections for transgender and non-binary New Yorkers through this change at the DMV and by making it easier for people to change their names, change their sex designation and change their birth certificates to reflect their identity.

“As we prepare to celebrate Pride Month in a few days, I am excited to announce this historic change that represents another victory in our fight to help ensure equality and respect for the LGBTQ+ community,” Governor Hochul said. “Every person, regardless of their gender identity or expression, deserves to have an identity document that reflects who they are. My administration remains committed to ensuring that New York is a place of value, love and belonging for members of the LGBTQ+ community.”

Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “Perhaps more than any other state agency, New Yorkers directly engage with their government through the DMV, so offering identity documents that are representative of all New Yorkers is a significant milestone. We are thrilled to implement this new option that we know will have a positive impact on the lives of so many of our customers.”

Division of Human Rights Commissioner Maria Imperial said, “We applaud our state’s important action to ensure that these essential ID documents accurately reflect and affirm who we are. We will continue working to advance dignity and eliminate discrimination against transgender and non-binary people in New York State.”

Deputy Chief Diversity Officer Priya Nair said, “As a transgender and non-binary New Yorker, this action means that I can now get a driver license that better reflects my identity. It’s not only the correct gender marker, but it’s also an action which demonstrates that New York State affirms and sees me for who I am. Thank you to Governor Hochul, the Department of Motor Vehicles, and all of the non-binary and transgender advocates who pushed for this important and inclusive change. As other states attack and roll back protections for transgender people, I am proud to live in a state that will continue to fight for our communities.”

New Yorkers who have an existing driver license, learner permit, or non-driver ID will have the option to change the gender marker on their photo ID from “M” or “F” to “X”, and those who are applying for a NYS photo ID for the first time will have the option to choose “X”. This can be done by completing the Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (MV-44).

Customers who do not want to visit a DMV office to change their existing ID document will have the option to change their gender designation through an online transaction beginning in July 2022.

State Senator Brad Hoylman said, “Each and every New Yorker should be recognized for who they are by their government. Before the Gender Recognition Act, it was incredibly hard for many New Yorkers to get the identification documents they require for travel, to get a job, and even to go to school. But on June 24, when the GRA takes effect thanks to the efforts of TGNB activists, all gender non-conforming, transgender, non-binary, and intersex New Yorkers will be able to receive IDs that accurately reflect their identity. I’m proud to live in and represent a state that respects and values the needs of these communities – particularly as queer, and especially transgender young people, have come under attack in recent months across our country. Thank you, Governor Hochul, DMV Commissioner Schroeder, and Division of Human Rights Commissioner Imperial for overseeing the implementation of this important law.”

Lambda Legal Senior Attorney Carl Charles said, “This is a significant step forward in the fight for lived equality for transgender, nonbinary, and gender non-conforming people in New York State. Thanks to Lambda Legal’s work on behalf of Mx. Sander Saba, and the enactment of the Gender Recognition Act, the State of New York has finally turned the page on a discriminatory, outdated policy. Nonbinary, transgender, and gender non-conforming New Yorkers now have access to accurate, state-issued identity documents that are critical to day to day life in New York. While there is more work to be done, today marks a significant step forward in the right direction. We acknowledge the work of those who made this day possible including Mx. Sander Saba, nonbinary and transgender advocates here in New York, and our law firm pro bono partners O’Melveny Myers LLP. We also extend our sincere thanks to Governor Hochul, and the New York Department of Motor Vehicles for moving the needle forward for transgender and nonbinary New Yorkers.”

Plaintiff Sander Saba said, “It’s my sincere hope that, as we move ahead, other transgender and non-binary New Yorkers will be able to live their lives with the respect and dignity they deserve in every facet of their lives, aided by accurate state-issued identification. Every person should be able to access identity documents that reflect who they truly are without having to validate their personhood in court.”

This announcement comes as part of the major advancements in LGBTQ+ equity Governor Hochul fought for and secured in the Enacted Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget. The Budget includes $13.5 million for the Department of Health to support the LGBTQ+ community and more than doubles annual LGBTQ+ Health and Human Services funding. In addition, the Budget includes legislation requiring state agencies to provide an option for individuals to mark their gender or sex as a non-binary “X” on all state forms that collect gender or sex information. Agencies are also required to include that information in data collection. The Enacted Budget also enables transgender New Yorkers to change their names or gender designations on marriage certificates without leaving their dead names on them.

"AOC: Reigning Supreme in the Leftist Echo Chamber of Bluesky"

In a digital age where connection is key, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) breaks barriers, reaching one million followers on Bluesky! This milestone on a platform striving for a gentler online space nudges society closer to kinder virtual interactions. Let’s continue the conversation! #Innovation #DigitalCommunity

ICYMI: AOC Talks Reasons Behind AOC-Trump Voters, Trump Nominations on The ReidOut

Last night on MSNBC’s The ReidOut, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez revealed what she learned from her conversations with Trump voters in her district who also voted for her own re-election, and the lessons Democrats must understand. She also discussed the recent nominations of Matt Gaetz, RFK Jr, and Tulsi Gabbard to the Trump cabinet.

Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said, “There are millions of people in this country who are working two, three shifts a day to make ends meet. You’re not reading the newspaper everyday with a cup of coffee.”

Watch the clip here, and watch the full interview here.

Schumer Statement on Funding for Second Avenue Subway

“After a nonsensical and illegal delay by the Trump administration, which forced MTA to take them to court, an appearance before the judge got them to finally come to their senses and lift this damaging funding blockade. Now the transformative and long-needed extension of the Second Avenue Subway can get back on track to deliver new service to countless New York straphangers from East Harlem, Uptown, the Bronx and beyond.”—U.S. Senator Charles Schumer

Schumer Statement On Republican Chaos And Senate Democrats’ Unity In DHS Funding Fight

New York, N.Y. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) released the following statement after Republican chaos extended the shutdown, and forced GOP leaders to take up the Senate’s unanimous DHS funding bill—paying TSA workers and protecting the homeland:

“For days, Republican divisions derailed a bipartisan agreement, making American families pay the price for their dysfunction.

“Throughout this fight, Senate Democrats never wavered. We were clear from the start: fund critical security, protect Americans, and no blank check for reckless ICE and Border Patrol enforcement.

“We were united, held the line, and refused to let Republican chaos win.”

Leader Schumer Statement On Dylan Contreras Being Released By ICE

Schumer Brought Dylan’s Mother, Raiza Contreras, As His Personal Guest To The State Of The Union Last Month To Elevate His Case And Demand His Release From His Unlawful Detainment By ICE

Dylan Contreras, Was The First NYC Public School Student Taken Amid Trump’s ICE Mass Detention & Terror Campaign, Despite Entering The U.S. Legally

Schumer: Dylan Is Coming Home To His Family In New York City

Washington D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) today released the following statement on Dylan Lopez Contreras, the first NYC public school student detained in Trump’s ICE mass-detention and deportation campaign, being released by ICE and being on his way to reuniting with his family. Schumer brought Raiza Contreras, Dylan’s mother, as his personal guest to President Trump’s State of the Union last month to elevate his case and fight for his release:

“Thank God Dylan Contreras is coming home. He will soon be back in New York and reunited with his mother Raiza, his family, and the Bronx community that loves him. I sat with Raiza as she cried in my office the night of the State of the Union and told her I would do everything in my power to help bring her son home, and I am thrilled they will soon be together once again,” said Leader Schumer. “Dylan did everything right, he entered legally, worked to support his family and enrolled in school, and he should have never been detained like this. I am glad the administration has heeded my calls and righted this wrong, but there are many more families like Dylan’s that have been torn apart because of ICE. The chaos experienced by so many communities and families at the hands of ICE must end.”

Dylan entered the United States legally, granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status, and was permitted to remain in the country while awaiting his hearing. He was enrolled in high school at Ellis Preparatory Academy in the Bronx and obtained work authorization to help support mother care for his two younger siblings. Despite this, he was still targeted and detained by ICE after attending a mandatory court hearing. At the hearing, ICE officers followed Contreras out of the courtroom and arrested him in the lobby. Schumer worked relentlessly alongside advocates across New York and stood with Raiza to help elevate her son’s case at the State of the Union to demand his release, and now Dylan is on his way home to New York City to be reunited with his family and community that loves him.

Schumer has been leading efforts in Congress to rein in ICE and impose reforms. He and his colleagues have continued to call for clear guardrails, including prohibiting enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and courts, requiring officers to display identification, banning the use of masks during enforcement, preventing racial profiling, mandating body-worn cameras, ensuring access to counsel in detention facilities, and strengthening oversight and coordination with state and local authorities.

Schumer Statement on Detainment of Columbia Student

Hi, please see Senator Schumer’s statement on the detainment of a Columbia grad student:

“It is outrageous that ICE agents falsely represented themselves to arrest a Columbia graduate student by entering university-owned housing without a warrant. This is unacceptable. We need immediate answers from ICE on the student’s whereabouts. My office is working closely with Columbia and the relevant authorities.”—U.S. Senator Charles Schumer

SCHUMER TO BRING RAIZA CONTRERAS, BRONX MOTHER OF THE FIRST NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT DETAINED BY TRUMP’S ICE, AS HIS PERSONAL GUEST TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

Dylan Lopez Contreras, 20, NYC Public School Student At Ellis Prep, Who Entered Legally, Is Still Being Held In ICE Detention In Pennsylvania Even After Complying With Immigration Court Instructions

Schumer Says Families Following The Law Should Not Be Ripped Apart By ICE, And Congress Must Impose Guardrails To Rein In ICE From Terrorizing Communities Across America

Schumer: When Someone Shows Up To Court And Follows The Law, They Should Not Leave In Handcuffs

U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer today announced he will bring Raiza Contreras, a mother from the Bronx whose son was the first NYC public school student detained in Trump’s ICE mass-detention and -deportation campaign, which is terrorizing communities across America, as his personal guest to attend President Trump’s State of the Union.

Raiza’s son, Dylan Lopez Contreras, a student at Ellis Preparatory Academy in the Bronx, entered legally and was following the law. Despite this, he was still targeted and detained by ICE after attending a mandatory court hearing. At the hearing, ICE officers followed Contreras out of the courtroom and arrested him in the lobby. Dylan is currently being detained in an ICE detention facility, and his mother Raiza, and his attorneys are fighting to bring him home.

“No mother should have to go through what Raiza is experiencing right now – being unjustly separated from her son. Dylan followed the rules. He entered through a legal process, obtained permission to work to support his family, enrolled in school, and showed up to court as required,” said Senator Schumer. “Instead, ICE ripped their family apart. When someone complies with the law and appears before a judge, they should not leave in handcuffs. I am proud to bring Raiza as my personal guest to the State of the Union to show how ICE is hurting families and terrorizing communities across America. Dylan deserves to be home with his mom and in the community that loves him. We must rein in ICE. The lawlessness, the violence, the chaos must end.”

Raiza Contreras said, “My son Dylan came to this country through a legal program because he believed in doing things the right way. My son went to school, worked to help our family, and showed up to his court date because he trusted the system. But instead of justice, ICE followed him out of the courtroom and took him away. He has been detained for 8.5 months and is being held in Pennsylvania, far from everyone who loves him. All he wants is the chance to study and build a future. I am simply asking for fairness and for my son to be brought home.”

Dylan entered the United States in April 2024 through a program that allowed migrants to present themselves lawfully and seek asylum. He was permitted to remain in the country while awaiting his hearing, obtained work authorization and a learner’s permit, enrolled in high school, and worked part-time as a delivery driver to help his family move from a city shelter into an apartment, helping his mother care for his two younger siblings. Dylan was granted Special Immigrant Juvenile Status.

Schumer has been leading efforts in Congress to rein in ICE and impose reforms. He and his colleagues have called for clear guardrails, including prohibiting enforcement at sensitive locations like schools and courts, requiring officers to display identification, banning the use of masks during enforcement, preventing racial profiling, mandating body-worn cameras, ensuring access to counsel in detention facilities, and strengthening oversight and coordination with state and local authorities. Schumer said federal immigration agents cannot continue to cause chaos in communities without accountability and that Congress must act to protect constitutional rights while ensuring common-sense enforcement.

Raiza Contreras will attend President Trump’s State of the Union address as Senator Schumer’s honored guest as she continues fighting for her son’s release.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DELIVER FULL FUNDING FOR WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM

Washington, D.C. – Today, following years of advocacy, U.S. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, celebrated the passage to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP), which is now on its way to the President’s desk to be signed into law.

Twenty-five years after the September 11th attacks, first responders and survivors continue to be diagnosed with serious and often life-threatening 9/11-related health conditions, underscoring the ongoing need for stable federal support for the program. The WTCHP faces increasing demand as enrollment continues to grow and new illnesses are identified, putting pressure on the program’s resources.

“Today, after years of work, we finally deliver on the sacred promise to ‘Never Forget’ by fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program to ensure the brave first responders and survivors always get the care they deserve. I have seen firsthand the toll that uncertainty and funding gaps take on our 9/11 heroes, standing with them as more and more got sick with cancers and other illnesses from rushing to danger and working on the pile,” said Senator Schumer. “Families will no longer have to worry whether funding will be there for their loved ones to afford life-saving treatment. From the moment of the attacks, brave first responders and everyday New Yorkers made extraordinary sacrifices for our country. I promised I would not rest and never stop fighting until every 9/11 hero knows that when they need care, that care will be there for them. And today, a promise made becomes a promise kept. Now, with the World Trade Center Health Program fully funded, I’m thrilled to say we are eliminating funding cliffs for this program once and for all to ensure survivors will always receive the care they need.”

“The World Trade Center Health Program honors our promise to never forget our 9/11 survivors and the first responders who protected our nation in its darkest hour,” said Senator Gillibrand. “I was proud to work across the aisle to finally secure full funding for the World Trade Center Health Program, and I am relieved that the funding has been passed and will soon be signed into law. Ensuring our 9/11 first responders and survivors have the resources they need to cope with the long-term health effects from toxic exposure has been one of my top priorities for my entire tenure in Congress. I am so proud of the work that our tireless advocates have done to fully fund the World Trade Center Health Program.”

“They say a victory has 1000 fathers. In all actuality this victory, the passage of the WTCHP Correction Act (H.R.1410) has 145,000 plus fathers, in which over 48,000 plus have a certified 9/11 relate cancer,” said John Feal, 9/11 Responder and Advocate. “Responders & Survivors will continue to receive treatment and those who will get sick in the future from their toxic exposure will be able to join them. This short lived victory which took over 2 years was only achieved by the commitment & leadership of the NY Delegation and a selective few across the Country who worked closely as partners with a team of Advocates (Citizens for the Extension of the James Zadroga Act & the FealGood Foundation) who refused to give up and take no for an answer. Everyone’s resolve & testament while tested, never waivered and for that I am humbled to be part of this victory.”

“Tonight’s action by the United States Senate is a critical step forward for the heroes of September 11th and their families. The continued funding of the World Trade Center Health Program is not a political issue — it is a moral obligation,” said Uniformed Firefighters Association President Andrew Ansbro. “Thousands of firefighters and first responders answered the call on the worst day in our nation’s history, and many are still paying the price with their health. This funding ensures they will continue to receive the care they were promised and deserve. We are deeply grateful to Senator Gillibrand and her colleagues for standing with the men and women who ran toward danger, and for honoring our nation’s commitment to never forget those who sacrificed so much. The Uniformed Firefighters Association will never stop fighting to protect our members and all 9/11 responders, today and for generations to come.”

“Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program is a major victory for all the 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from long-term health challenges because of exposure to toxins at Ground Zero,” said New York State ADL-CIO President Mario Cilento. “The union movement has proudly led the fight to create the health program. Still, its full funding would not have been possible without the relentless leadership and advocacy of Senator Gillibrand, who ensured these brave Americans receive the care they deserve. We are deeply grateful for her unwavering commitment, alongside Senator Schumer, and the support of the entire New York delegation for getting this done and fulfilling a promise, as a country, that we would never forget.”

“The New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigations appreciate the steadfast efforts of Senator Gillibrand and the New York Congressional Delegation to extend the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” said New York State Police Investigators Association President Kurt Labuda. “While more than 24 years have passed since 9/11, the effects of that terrible day are still being felt by the police, firefighters and others who worked and lived in and around ground zero in the days and months following the attack. Tragically, the New York State Police continue to lose members each year of 9/11 related health issues. While this bill and funding will not bring them back, it will help countless others with screening, health care, and medical treatment. It is our duty to honor those who worked at great personal risk to themselves on and after that tragic day, and this is part of that responsibility.”

“Responders and survivors must always receive the care they were promised without delay or disruption. More than two decades after the September 11 attacks, hundreds of retired and active Troopers continue to live with the long-term health consequences of their service,” said Charlie Murphy, President of New York State Troopers Police Benevolent Association. “Fully funding the World Trade Center Health Program as part of this year’s federal appropriations process ensures our members will not fall through the cracks and will continue to receive lifesaving medical monitoring and treatment. We are grateful to Senator Gillibrand for her steadfast leadership and for securing the stability that our responders have earned.”

“On September 11, 2001 we may have seen the worst of humanity, but the days, months, and years that followed were defined by the best of humanity as heroic first responders from the NYPD, FDNY, and the New York City Building Trades, stood side-by-side leading recovery efforts in the direct aftermath of the attacks on the World Trade Center. These selfless men and women deserve access to medical treatment and services for their September 11-related health conditions, and now that has been made possible through the passage of the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act,” said Gary LaBarbera, President of the Building and Construction Trades Council of Greater New York. “We thank Senator Schumer, Senator Gillibrand, Congressman Nadler, and Congressman Garbarino for their continued and exceptional leadership on behalf of September 11 responders and survivors. This critical funding for the World Trade Center Health Program will improve the lives of countless patriots and their families by providing them the care they have long-deserved.”

“Since her election to Congress, Sen. Gillibrand has been a fierce advocate for 9/11 responders in New York and across the nation. Thanks to her leadership, Congress has once again provided the funding necessary for the World Trade Center Health Program and honored its commitment to those who answered the call on September 11, 2001,” said NYPD Sergeants Benevolent Association (SBA) President Vincent Vallelong. “In the nearly 25 years since 9/11, we have seen daily reminders of the heavy price paid by our members and others who selflessly placed themselves in harm’s way for their neighbors and their country. The SBA is grateful for the efforts of Sen. Gillibrand to fulfill the promise of the original Zadroga Act, and we are proud to have worked alongside her to ensure that 9/11 responders and survivors receive the ongoing care that they deserve.”

“I would like to personally thank you for your tireless efforts on the passing of the budget. which included the Funding for the WTCHP. Your efforts will ensure that my members of Local 94, and all the other first responders, will get the proper heath care they deserve. I would like to thank you for standing shoulder to shoulder with us in this battle. Without your commitment to these important issues, our heroes would go unrecognized in their times of need. Together we remain united in our vow to, NEVER FORGET,” said Thomas Hart, President International, Union of Operating Engineers Local 94.

The WTCHP was established in 2011 as part of the James Zadroga 9/11 Health and Compensation Act and was originally funded for five years at $1.6 billion. The program was reauthorized in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, Senators Gillibrand and Schumer led lawmakers in passing $1 billion for the WTCHP in the end-of-year spending bill, and in 2023, Senator Gillibrand helped secure an additional $676 million for the program. The updated funding secured this year continues that commitment to ensuring 9/11 responders and survivors receive the care they need, now and in the years ahead.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $22 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE BRONX

Senators Secured Federal $$$ For NYCHA Enhancements, Community Centers, Health Infrastructure, And More

Today, U.S. Senator Charles E. Schumer and U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, announced $22,371,000 in federal funding for critical projects in the Bronx in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 funding package that was signed into law yesterday. The senators personally secured funding for these projects as congressionally directed spending items.

“I’m proud to deliver over $22 million in federal investments to support Bronx residents and communities,” said Senator Schumer. “These funds boost vital local projects including food pantry distribution, NYCHA renovation projects, investments at St. Barnabas Hospital, and much more. I won’t stop fighting to deliver the resources needed to support our communities and the organizations that help them flourish.”

“This year’s funding will help support significant projects in the Bronx, from broadband expansions and community center upgrades in high-need communities to affordable housing construction,” said Senator Gillibrand. “With tens of millions of dollars going directly to organizations across the five boroughs, I am proud to be delivering this much-needed federal funding to improve the lives of New Yorkers and to keep New York City flourishing.”

A full list of funded projects in the Bronx is below:

$6 million for the Food Bank for New York City

This award will fund the renovation of the Food Bank for New York City’s 90,000-square foot warehouse in Hunts Point, Brooklyn to allow for greater food distribution capacity. Renovations will support the organization’s ability to distribute approximately 15 million additional pounds of food annually to families most in need.

$5 million for the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to Upgrade Plumbing at Patterson Houses

This funding will support critical renovations at NYCHA’s Patterson Houses complex as part of the NYCHA Building Line Initiative (BLI), which includes comprehensive plumbing and renovation projects that aim to address mold and leaks.

$3 million for Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County

This funding will support the Claremont House Project, which will develop a 66-unit affordable co-op with the goal of promoting homeownership in the Bronx.

$2 million for the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Initiative to Provide Internet Services for Low-Income New Yorkers

This funding will support the Neighborhood Internet Initiative, a partnership between the NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the New York Public Library to build a broadband network that provides free internet to low-income households, including those that receive Section 8 rental assistance.

$2 million for BronxWorks to Renovate the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center

This funding will be used for renovations of the Carolyn McLaughlin Community Center’s kitchen, electrical infrastructure, HVAC system, and bathrooms. The center serves as a vital community resource and economic engine in the Bronx, housing a Head Start program, afterschool and summer camp services for school-aged youth, adolescent development programs, an intake office and older adult center for seniors, housing counseling, eviction prevention, and benefits services for families.

$1,371,000 for the Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center

This funding will support critical repairs at the Mosholu-Montefiore Community Center’s main facility. This building is a critical community resource that houses an older adult center, early child care services, afterschool/youth services, and additional support services, including a food pantry.

$1 million for Fordham University Workforce and Entrepreneurship Center

This funding will support the renovation of a vacant former industrial space on Fordham Road in the Bronx to create a fully-accessible hub that will serve the community with entrepreneurship support, job training, and other resources leading to educational attainment and economic opportunities.

$1 million for Montefiore Medical Center’s Moses Campus

This funding will support electrical infrastructure enhancements at Montefiore Medical Center’s Moses Campus. This initiative will centralize power distribution to optimize power management and distribution efficiency.

$1 million for St. Barnabas Hospital Strategic Infrastructure Investment

This funding will be used to purchase advanced biplane interventional radiology imaging equipment to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment outcomes. The hospital currently uses a single plane imager that has outlived its useful life.

AS FEWER NEW YORKERS GET FLU SHOTS, SCHUMER SOUNDS ALARM: RFK JR. WEAKENS FLU VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS WHILE NEW YORK LEADS THE NATION IN FLU CASES WITH WORST SEASON IN YEARS; DANGERS FROM FLU INCREASE, PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN

Schumer Calls On HHS And CDC To Immediately Reverse Vaccine Recommendation Changes, Launch A Full Scale Public Awareness Campaign In New York, And Provide Full Accounting Of Their Plan To Protect The Public From Flu

Schumer Blasts RFK For Changing Vaccine Recommendations With No Evidence, Meaning Fewer Adults And Children Receive Flu Shots

Schumer: New York Flu Cases Shoot Right Up While The CDC Shrugs; Families Deserve Leadership That Keeps Them Safe, Not Unqualified Guesswork

As New York faces its worst flu season in years, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer sounded the alarm on dangerous changes to federal flu vaccine guidance under Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Schumer warned that weakening longstanding vaccine recommendations without scientific evidence risks leaving families, especially children, more vulnerable as flu continues to spread at high levels. Schumer highlighted that more than 128,000 flu cases have already been reported in New York City this season, with over half among children, and said federal health leaders are backing away from proven public health tools at the exact wrong moment. Schumer called on HHS and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to immediately reverse course, launch a full-scale public awareness campaign in New York and across the country, and clearly explain what they are doing to protect families as flu season continues.

“As fewer New Yorkers get flu shots, we are seeing flu cases shoot right up across New York City, especially among children,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Instead of strengthening protections, RFK Jr. has weakened flu vaccine recommendations with no evidence to support it, and even suggested fewer kids should get vaccinated. That sends a dangerous message to parents at a time when families need clarity and leadership. While New York flu cases shoot right up, the CDC shrugs. That is unacceptable. I am demanding immediate action to protect New York families and keep kids safe.”

New York State is experiencing the highest number of flu cases ever recorded in a single week, according to the New York State Department of Health. The department said 71,123 flu cases were reported statewide for the seven-day period ending Dec. 20, the highest weekly total since influenza was made reportable in 2004.

According to River Head Local, hospitalizations have climbed sharply and the NYSDOH reported 3,666 influenza-related hospitalizations statewide for the same week, up 63% from the previous week of December 26th.

On Long Island, Suffolk County recorded 7,571 cases for the week ending Dec. 20, including 6,402 confirmed influenza type A cases. Nassau County recorded 7,924 cases, including 6,875 confirmed type A cases. Nassau and Suffolk posted the highest county totals outside New York City. Suffolk recorded 313 flu hospitalizations for the week.

The CDC reported 17 child deaths as cases of the “super flu” surge across the country. About 15 million flu cases have been reported this season, with 180,000 hospitalizations and 7,400 deaths according to CDC data.

Schumer pointed to the unprecedented decision by HHS to downgrade the pediatric influenza vaccine from a routinely recommended shot to a category of shared clinical decision making, altering guidance that had been in place for nearly two decades. Schumer said the change was made without new scientific data and without following the established processes that allow for transparency and public input, creating confusion for parents and providers during a severe flu season. This change will make it harder for families to get the safe and effective flu vaccine, adding new barriers to getting the shot at the pharmacy and in the doctor’s office.

Schumer said the federal response is putting American lives at risk, especially as pediatric vaccination rates decline and flu continues to circulate at very high levels. He urged federal health officials to build on successful past efforts, including CDC public awareness campaigns that helped families understand how flu vaccines reduce severe illness and death.

“Public health decisions should be driven by science, not ideology,” Schumer said. “Families deserve clear guidance, honest communication, and a federal response that takes flu seriously. I will keep fighting to make sure New York families get the protection they need and that public health leadership does not put kids in harm’s way.”

Schumer’s letter to Secretary Kennedy is below:

Dear Secretary Kennedy:

The decision made on Monday, January 5^th by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to pursue an unprecedented overhaul of the childhood vaccine schedule that recommends fewer shots to all children, including for influenza, will put American lives at risk. Downgrading the recommendation for six illnesses will make it harder for people to get lifesaving vaccinations. The decision to downgrade vaccine recommendations for flu from a routinely recommended vaccine to “shared clinical decision-making” means more people will unnecessarily get sick and die.

The country is in the middle of the worst seasonal flu spike in 25 years that has already killed at least 17 children. States across the country are experiencing dangerously high levels of flu, with emergency rooms overwhelmed. New York City alone has reported over 128,000 cases this flu season, with 54% among children. Last season 289 children died from flu, the highest number since CDC began tracking in 2004 – and around 90% of children that died from flu last year were not vaccinated.

The CDC should reverse the decision to weaken vaccine recommendations, and must immediately begin a public awareness campaign on the dangers of flu and availability of flu vaccines in communities. It is essential to communicate that it is not too late to get vaccinated.

We request a response to the below questions by January 31, 2026.

When will CDC begin a public awareness campaign to respond to the high levels of flu?

The decision to downgrade the flu vaccine guidance reversed an 18-year recommendation and was made without supporting scientific evidence. The new schedule circumvents the evidence-based and deliberative process that has determined vaccine recommendations in the nation for decades.

When will the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) share the information that led to this decision? What process was used to determine this change?

Weakening flu vaccine recommendations will lead to more flu cases across the country. What steps is HHS taking to prepare for a future rise in cases, such as anticipating possible shortages of antiviral medications and alleviating health system burden?

INSTACART USES ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TO RIP OFF CONSUMERS BY CHARGING DIFFERENT SHOPPERS DIFFERENT PRICES FOR THE SAME EXACT ITEMS, JACKING UP GROCERY COSTS ACROSS NYC, LONG ISLAND, & THE NATION; SENATOR SOUNDS ALARM ON PRICE GOUGING AI AND DEMANDS FTC ACTION TO PROTECT FAMILIES FROM SHAKEDOWN PRICING

Schumer Warns AI-Driven Pricing By Instacart And Other Grocery Platforms Could Cost Some Families Up To $1,200 More A Year At Checkout; Impact Hits NYC And LI Especially Hard; Senator Presses FTC To Step In

Schumer Says Shoppers Are Being Charged Different Prices For Identical Items, From Cereal And Snacks To Deli Meat—Even At The Same Store And Same Time

Schumer: Grocery Prices Are Already At Record Highs; AI Should Not Decide How Much Families Pay For Food; FTC Is “Checked Out”

As grocery prices remain stubbornly high, and families struggle to afford everyday essentials, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer sounded the alarm on Instacart’s use of artificial intelligence to charge different customers different prices for the same exact grocery items. Schumer warned that AI-enabled pricing schemes allow large corporations to quietly raise prices behind the scenes, leaving some shoppers with significantly higher grocery bills than others for no legitimate reason. Schumer detailed how these deceptive pricing tactics could cost certain families as much as $1,200 more per year, with New Yorkers and Long Islanders especially vulnerable. Schumer said that consumers are being squeezed and that federal regulators must step in, calling the Federal Trade Commission “checked out” when it comes to protecting grocery shoppers. Schumer demanded new action from the FTC to crack down on AI-driven price gouging and ensure families are not being taken advantage of at the checkout line.

“When a shopper fills their grocery cart whether in real life or digitally, they should trust that they are being treated fairly and that prices are transparent. What we are seeing more and more of is that companies like Instacart are using artificial intelligence to rip off consumers by charging different shoppers different prices for the same exact items. This is jacking up grocery costs across New York City, Long Island, and across the nation. So, today, I am sounding the alarm on this predatory practice and demanding the federal government take new action to protect families from this shakedown pricing,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer.

According to Consumer Reports, many U.S. shoppers who order grocery deliveries through Instacart are unknowingly part of widespread AI-enabled experiments that price identical products differently for different customers—sometimes by as much as 23 percent. Based on how much Instacart reports the typical household of four spends on groceries, the observed average price variations could translate into a cost swing of about $1,200 per year. Instacart is the most dominant e-commerce grocery delivery platform in the U.S., with nearly 250 million orders fulfilled in the first three quarters of 2025. The company calls itself “the largest online grocery marketplace in North America.”

Instacart repeatedly showed different customers different “original” prices for the same discounted item, making the purported savings appear larger or smaller, depending on which group they’d been sorted into. For example, most Instacart shoppers at a Safeway in Seattle were shown original prices of $5.93, $5.99, or $6.69 for Premium-brand saltine crackers, while the final sale price was the same for everyone—$3.99. Schumer pointed to the Instacart CEO’s quote as a reason to take this issue seriously. Instacart CEO said, “AI helps retailers dynamically optimize their pricing both online and in-store to really figure out which categories of products a customer is more price sensitive on versus less price sensitive on and really adjust their prices based on that information.”

Schumer says that an answer like this proves the case for the federal government to step in and take new action.

“When you read what these executives are saying, it’s very clear their north star is anything but the consumer or the family,” Schumer said. “They are focused exclusively on profits, and that is why the Federal Trade Commission must take a serious look at these shakedown tactics and rein them in before grocery prices go even higher.”

According to Food and Water Watch and Groundwork Collaborative, holiday meals are more expensive this year. While the Trump Administration tries to convince voters that the economy is doing great, Americans are still grappling with record-high prices and are pulling back on food spending this holiday season.

New polling from Data for Progress shows that nearly two-thirds of Americans are concerned about holiday prices, with 37 percent planning to buy fewer items. A majority of people said they are taking steps to brace for higher holiday prices, such as buying fewer items, hosting smaller gatherings, or cutting back on travel. More than half of voters believe that Trump’s economic policies are to blame for higher prices.

According to Groundwork Collaborative, using NIQ data, a full meal is up nearly 10% from 2024, more than three times the overall rate of inflation.

Since President Trump took office, grocery prices have risen by over 3 percent. Some holiday staples will cost Americans more than 20% over last year’s prices, including onions (56%), spiral hams (49%), cranberry sauce (22%), and creamed corn (21%). Canned fruits and vegetables are up 5 percent year over year, with a 50 percent tariff on steel driving up canning costs for the roughly 80 percent of canned goods that rely on imported steel. Domestic steel manufacturers are also raising prices, as tariffs have removed competitive pressure from imports. Aluminum foil is also up 40 percent this year due to higher input costs driven by tariffs.

“Every ‘beep beep’ at the grocery checkout is a one-two punch in a shopper’s face, and this administration has got to take it seriously,” Schumer said.

Leader Schumer Floor Remarks In Support Of Legislation To Keep SNAP Funded And Avoid The Republicans’ Manufactured Hunger Crisis During The Government Shutdown

Washington, D.C. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today spoke on the Senate floor ahead of Senator Luján’s request for unanimous consent on legislation to keep SNAP funded so over 40 million Americans can continue to receive this vital service through the Republican shutdown. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks:

In a few minutes, my good colleague from New Mexico, Senator Luján, will be offering a unanimous consent request. I want to thank him for his extraordinary leadership on the issue of SNAP, leading the way on an urgent issue for millions of Americans.

Right now, we’re staring down two crises at once: a healthcare crisis and a hunger crisis. And both are caused by and intensified by one man and one man only: Donald Trump. We’re now three days from away from open enrollment. And now, for the first time in history, a president is refusing to fund SNAP during a shutdown.

Forty-two million Americans – young children who need food, veterans who might have PTSD and need help, senior citizens who rely on SNAP to help feed themselves, people who are out of work because they lost their jobs through no fault of their own, and so many others need SNAP. And why are we not doing it? Not because the money’s gone, it’s there. Not because it’s not permitted, it’s legal. But because Donald Trump ordered it stopped. It falls on his shoulders.

Let’s be clear: this does not need to happen. Never before – under any president, Republican or Democrat – has SNAP been cut off during a shutdown. Only Donald Trump is doing it, and the Republican leadership is going along with Donald Trump to let SNAP expire.

Trump did this once before. In 2019, he funded SNAP during his last shutdown. Back then, Trump kept SNAP funded. This time, he’s deliberately pulling the plug, even though in September he said he would fund it and could fund it, independent of any shutdown.

Trump is weaponizing hunger. He is using kids and parents as pawns. Donald Trump is a vindictive politician and a heartless man.

Just a few weeks ago, Trump’s own USDA confirmed it had $6 billion in emergency funds ready to keep food and aid flowing. When asked about SNAP, Trump assured everyone that it will be fine. He said it. Then suddenly, last Friday, Trump ordered USDA to delete the plan, take it off their website, and refuse to use the money. No reason. No explanation. Just cruelty.

Two-thirds of SNAP recipients are kids, seniors, or people with disabilities. That’s who Trump is cutting off – kids who rely on school meals, seniors on fixed incomes, veterans trying to get by, families trying to get groceries. That’s the real-world consequence of Trump’s decision.

And while he’s manufacturing two crises here at home, where is his focus? Overseas, on a ballroom, on sending $40 billion to Argentina. There’s money for Argentina, but not for SNAP – and the Argentina money far exceeds the money needed for SNAP for at least a whole month.

Every president before him – Democrat and Republican – has used these same funds to keep families fed. Trump could fix this today with one stroke of his pen. We don’t have to wait. We don’t have to discuss. We don’t have to deliberate.

Let’s be clear: Republicans have been on a crusade against SNAP all year. They slashed it by a historic $200 billion this summer in their so-called “Big, Beautiful Bill” to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. And now they’re doubling down, using this shutdown to devastate families and leave kids hungry. It’s heartless, it’s cynical, and it’s wrong.

Well, Senate Democrats are not waiting. And that’s why I am so grateful for Senator Luján. In a few minutes, we will force a vote to avert this avoidable crisis.

I thank Senator Luján, I thank him for championing the Keep SNAP and WIC Funded Act, which will make sure 42 million Americans don’t lose their benefits. It will make sure 7 million moms and babies on WIC aren’t left behind. It’s simple. It’s moral. It’s urgent. And if the other side doesn’t block it, I bet it will pass overwhelmingly. And there’s another bill by Senator Hawley, a conservative. I believe it has 11 Republican cosponsors already. So, its another bill that could pass. It doesn’t have WIC, but it does have SNAP.

Democrats are ready to do what every president in American history has done except for Trump – avert this problem. We are willing to work with anyone to get this bill on the floor and stop this cruelty. But right now, unfortunately, Senate Republicans are frozen – paralyzed by fear or cynicism – while enabling Trump to use millions of hungry Americans as political hostages.

Senate Republicans should let this bill pass.

SCHUMER REVEALS: ‘SUMMER OF SWELTER’ IN STORE FOR OVER 1 MILLION HOUSEHOLDS ACROSS NYC & LI UNLESS TRUMP ADMIN RESTORES FUNDS & PUTS BACK JUST-FIRED STAFF AT LIHEAP THAT HELPS LOWER AIR CONDITIONING BILLS; EVEN WORSE, BIG UGLY BILL THREATENS TO INCREASE UTLITY COSTS FOR EVERYONE; SENATOR TURNS UP HEAT ON GOP TO STOP BOTH

Trump Admin Zeroed-Out LIHEAP Home Energy Assistance Program Helping 6M+ Homes With Cooling A/C Costs; 1.7M NY Households; That’s $400M+ Fed Funds To NY Slashed; Admin Fired All Staff Running Program In April; Senator Warns ‘Summer Of Swelter’ Coming Unless GOP Backs Off

NYC/LI Just Logged Hottest Day This Year; Keeping Safe Indoor Temps Could Mean Life Or Death This Summer; Senator Also Says House GOP Tax Bill For Billionaires Slashes Fed Clean Energy Funding Vital To Cut Electricity Costs For All; Says Public Must Know

Schumer: GOP Must Feel Real Heat For Going Along With Trump Admin Plans To Raise The Price Of Home Cooling This Summer—And Beyond

Just days after NYC and Long Island logged their respective hottest day so far this year, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer turned up the heat on Republicans to try and prevent a “summer of swelter” for over 1 million households across New York City and Long Island. Schumer revealed that unless the Trump administration reinstates funding and staff to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) utility bills will undoubtedly rise even more this summer for a record number of New Yorkers already struggling with higher utility costs. Coupled with the negative impacts of the GOP’s “big, beautiful bill” on overall utility charges, Schumer said, residents of the Big Apple are poised to bake all summer, and for some, like the elderly, this could mean real danger in terms of indoor temperatures.

“A ‘summer of swelter’ looks to be in store for New Yorkers and others around the country unless the Trump administration restores critical federal dollars and just-fired staff at the LIHEAP office that helps over 1 million households across NYC and Long Island alone keep the air conditioner going on hot summer days,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “Even worse, that big, ugly bill the GOP is trying to jam through the Congress threatens to increase utility costs for each and every utility-paying consumer this summer and beyond. That is why it is time to turn up the heat on the GOP and expose these plans for the public to see, in hopes that the Republicans are the ones who start to sweat the issue of high energy and utility costs, and in turn, stand up for the working class—not the billionaires.”

Schumer revealed how we got here. First, he explained that in April, the Trump administration eliminated the entire federal staff overseeing LIHEAP, jeopardizing the distribution of approximately $400 million in remaining New York state-allocated funds essential for summer relief now and in the future. Second, he explained how the President’s budget totally eliminates the funding for all fifty states. Additionally, proposed legislation threatens to increase utility costs nationwide, exacerbating the financial strain on households already struggling with energy expenses. Schumer urged Republicans to halt these detrimental actions and made the case for the Trump administration to restore LIHEAP staff and funds to ensure that over 1 million families across NYC & Long Island can maintain safe indoor temperatures during the upcoming hot summer months and beyond.

“I am sounding the alarm over this looming crisis because it threatens to leave over 1 million households across New York City and Long Island without the crucial cooling assistance they rely on during the hottest months of the year. Unless the Trump administration reinstates funding and staff to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), families already struggling with high utility bills face a ‘summer of swelter’,” Schumer added.

With the summer upon us across New York City and Long Island, maintaining safe indoor temperatures is not just a matter of comfort—it is a matter of life and death, Schumer says.

“Seniors, young children, and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are particularly vulnerable to heat-related illnesses. Without LIHEAP assistance, many families may be forced to choose between paying for air conditioning and other necessities such as food and medications,” Schumer said.

Schumer explained, in addition to the LIHEAP cuts, the House GOP’s proposed tax bill threatens to increase utility costs for everyone by slashing federal clean energy funding. Programs funded by the Inflation Reduction Act, which help consumers offset clean energy costs, face freezing under the current administration, potentially leading to higher electricity bills for all households. Schumer urged the Trump administration and Congressional Republicans to take immediate action to restore LIHEAP funding and staff. He warns that without these critical resources, New Yorkers will face unprecedented challenges in keeping their homes cool and safe during the summer months.

In addition to the direct impact on low-income families, Schumer said these cuts are contributing to a broader energy crisis. The U.S. Department of Energy’s proposed $19.3 billion budget cut, leading to the elimination of over 3,500 positions and the repeal of 47 energy efficiency standards, is expected to result in a 7% increase in utility bills, equating to an additional $230 per household by 2035. Furthermore, the elimination of renewable energy tax credits and efficiency programs is projected to raise utility bills for all Americans.

“These policy decisions are not only exacerbating the financial burden on households but also jeopardizing public health and safety. Without access to affordable cooling, vulnerable populations, including the elderly, disabled, and families with young children, are at increased risk of heat-related illnesses and fatalities. The elimination of LIHEAP and other energy assistance programs is a shortsighted approach that prioritizes billionaires over the well-being of pretty much everybody else,” Schumer said.

Last week, standing atop the Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC), which hosts Manhattan’s largest rooftop solar array, Schumer described the “Big, Beautiful” being pushed by the GOP as a giveaway to Big Oil billionaires at the expense of American workers, domestic manufacturing, and national energy independence. He highlighted that since the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) three years ago, over $843 billion in clean energy investments have been announced, creating millions of good-paying jobs and reducing reliance on foreign energy sources. The GOP plan, he warned, would not only reverse these gains but also risk American leadership in clean energy innovation and manufacturing, giving countries like China a competitive edge.

For New York specifically, Schumer cited over $5.3 billion in clean energy investment and more than 7,000 jobs that could be lost if the GOP plan succeeds. He emphasized that this rollback would drive up energy costs by hundreds of dollars per year for families and businesses, halt key sustainability projects like BMCC’s solar system, and stall progress toward renewable energy goals. With studies predicting hundreds of thousands of jobs lost nationwide and a 10% increase in electricity prices for small businesses, Schumer called the bill “a big, bad blow” to the American economy and urged Republicans to abandon what he sees as a disastrous and short-sighted agenda.

Schumer reiterated that these LIHEAP staff firings and funding zeroing-out are landing at the same time electricity costs continue to rise nationwide. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, electricity prices have increased over 28% since early 2021, adding further pressure on already-stretched household budgets. Without LIHEAP, many Americans—especially in states with limited state-level aid (red states)—will be left to endure the heat without relief.

The Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is a federal program that helps low-income households pay for heating and cooling costs, ensuring that vulnerable populations can maintain safe indoor temperatures. The program has been instrumental in preventing utility shutoffs and reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses among seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities. In New York State, the program is administered through the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP). In the 2023 fiscal year, over 1.7 million benefits were authorized for New York State households, totaling $428 million.

Individuals interested in applying for LIHEAP can visit energyhelp.us or call the National Energy Assistance Referral (NEAR) hotline toll-free at 1-866-674-6327. New Yorkers can also check whether their household qualifies for assistance using the LIHEAP Eligibility Tool.

Schumer on the passing of Charlie Rangel

Charlie Rangel was a great man, a great friend, and someone who never stopped fighting for his constituents and the best of America.

The list of his accomplishments could take pages, but he leaves the world a much better place than he found it. pic.twitter.com/d1j0YwzWs3

GIVEN NEW OUTAGE AT NEWARK THIS MORNING, SCHUMER DEMANDS SECRETARY DUFFY PUT NEWARK FIRST IN LINE TO RECEIVE CRITICALLY-NEEDED FIXES AND TECH SO AIR TRAFFIC CONTROL CAN FUNCTION LIKE IT SHOULD, SAFELY; NEW OUTAGES MEAN PRIORITIZING NEWARK CANNOT WAIT; RADAR SCREENS CANNOT CONTINUE TO BLACKOUT IN STANDARD OCCURRENCE

Schumer Says Newark Has Special Conditions That Could Be Fixed Quickly—Including Swapping Old Tech Responsible For Ongoing And Dangerous ATC Blackouts With Tech Available To FAA From Within Agency

Duffy Plan That Came Out Last Week Didn’t Prioritize The Epicenter Of Current Chaos—EWR; Plan Lacked Other Details Too, Like Milestones & A Cost

Schumer: Fixing Newark Just CANNOT Wait; This Is About Safety

With radar screen going black—again—for Air Traffic Controllers at Newark Airport—a stretch of chaos that has gone on far too long—U.S. Senator Charles Schumer demanded that U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy put Newark first in line to receive critically-needed fixes that were loosely detailed in his recent announcement to overhaul all of FAA Air Traffic Control.

Schumer said the outage early Friday morning and the one from just hours ago today marks more serious incidents that show things are not getting better. Schumer said that prioritizing Newark cannot wait, and that radar screens cannot continue to just go dark as if it is a standard occurrence. Schumer also gave new details about the Friday blackout as he made the case for FAA to swap out old or broken tech with tech that is available to FAA from within the agency. The Duffy plan, as released, lacks milestones and a cost, Schumer said.

“When people hear about radar screens just going dark, traffic controllers who cannot talk to planes, technology that is seemingly working no better than tin cans, they do not think this is a story about the Trump administration’s FAA, but that is what is so scary: this story is real and this story is dangerous. This situation is also unacceptable,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “I have communicated this past week with the FAA, and I feel no better today than a week ago about the state of aviation safety since this administration took the controls at FAA. As I said last week, Newark is a harbinger. If this dangerous situation can happen in the metro region, imagine what might happen in places where there is less scrutiny. This really makes you worry.”

The ground stop this morning meant flights heading to Newark could not take off and lasted for about 45 minutes, according to FAA air traffic advisories and media reports. There has been an average of 34 arrival cancellations per day since mid-April at Newark, according to the FAA, with the number of delays increasing throughout the day from an average of five in the mornings to 16 by the evening. They tend to last 85 to 137 minutes on average, reports say.

The Trump administration proposed an overhaul of the U.S. air traffic control system last Thursday that includes six new air traffic control centers and technology and communications upgrades at all of the nation’s air traffic facilities over the next three or four years, but Schumer, today, said this timeline must move faster and that Newark must be first in line. Schumer also said the plan came with no cost.

“With what is going on we have one thing for certain: more questions than answers,” Schumer said. “And right now, we need answers, we need reassurances, and we need his FAA to lead.”

According to ABC, radar screens at New Jersey’s Newark Liberty International Airport went black early Friday morning. The outage happened at 3:55 a.m. and lasted about 90 seconds, ABC and the Federal Aviation Administration said. Air traffic controllers could be heard telling a FedEx plane that their screens went dark and then asked them to tell their company to put pressure on to get the problem fixed, ABC reported. In another transmission, a controller told a private jet arriving from Cyprus that they just had a radar outage and to stay at or above 3,000 feet in case they can’t get in touch during their descent.

It was the third time in two weeks that radars failed at the facility in Philadelphia where controllers manage the airspace in and around Newark. In the last several days, outages at Newark caused ATC computer screens to go dark for roughly 60 to 90 seconds and prevented controllers from talking to aircraft during that time, according to ABC. As a result, the FAA briefly halted all departures to the airport.

Schumer, today, said Secretary Duffy must put Newark first in line for fixes he said would be made to the nation’s ATC systems. Schumer, today, gave specific details about the work that needs to be done, including installing a DIRECT fiber-optic telco line between Newark Airport and Philadelphia terminal radar approach control center, no more indirect runaround. Schumer said the current crisis is due to old technology and an indirect connection. Schumer has called for a modernized, direct connection and new computers to analyze and display transmitted data.

Newark Airport is the 13th busiest in America and 23rd busiest in the world. The airport serves nearly 50 million customers a year, both domestic and international. It is a major East Coast hub and a gateway to Europe, South America, and Asia for much of the country. It is central to New York’s role in the global economy and along the Northeast Corridor, which accounts for 20% of America’s GDP.

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: TRUMP & RFK JUST FIRED ANOTHER 16 HEALTH PROGRAM DOCS & SCIENTISTS AS WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM FLOUNDERS; SENATORS DEMAND NY GOP MEMBERS OF CONGRESS USE THEIR BUDGET VOTE AS LEVERAGE TO END THE CHAOS; POLITICAL GAMES JEOPARDIZING HEALTHCARE OF HEROES

New York, N.Y. – Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) today released the following statement after reports of another outage, continued disruptions, and ongoing safety concerns at Newark Airport:

“Enough is enough. The connection between New York air space and the Philadelphia air traffic control center must be fixed now. The backup system that is not working must be fixed. Now. This is an air travel safety emergency that requires immediate and decisive action, not a promise of a big, beautiful unfunded overhaul that will take years to begin to implement. The skies over New York City are some of the busiest in the world. This cannot happen again.”

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: TRUMP & RFK JUST FIRED ANOTHER 16 HEALTH PROGRAM DOCS & SCIENTISTS AS WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM FLOUNDERS; SENATORS DEMAND NY GOP MEMBERS OF CONGRESS USE THEIR BUDGET VOTE AS LEVERAGE TO END THE CHAOS; POLITICAL GAMES JEOPARDIZING HEALTHCARE OF HEROES

Schumer & Gillibrand Say NY GOP House Members Have Political Leverage To Restore 9/11 Health Program If They Deny Trump Their Budget Vote; Senators Have Built WTCHP & Funded It; GOP Being Played Since April While Heroes Suffer

The World Trade Center Health Program Provides Services For Roughly 137,000 Sickened 9/11 First Responders & Other Survivors & Heroes Across Nation; Trump Admin Keeps Playing Games With Staff, The Program – And The People Who Need Care; Schumer Says This Must End NOW

Schumer, Gillibrand To NY House GOP: Find The Courage The 9/11 Heroes Had To End This Chaos By Using Your Leverage Over Budget

U.S. Senator Schumer alongside U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand said the Trump administration is at it again: attacking the World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP). Yesterday, President Trump and RFK fired an additional 16 medical staff who help keep the WTCHP program alive at NIOSH.

Schumer said this torrent of chaos must and – and that New York GOP House members have real leverage to end this negligence by using their budget vote and forcing the President to back off on his attacks at the WTCHP. The senators said that this chaos is a dereliction of duty by the federal government, a disservice that must be reversed, so that the 9/11 health program, its staff, the federal government and the amazing medical professionals can all do their jobs: save lives. Schumer and Gillibrand said that they will not rest until this chaos is over.

“Since the Trump administration started, more than a quarter of the WTCHP staff are now gone,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “It is revolting that President Trump and Secretary Kennedy, Secretary of Health and Human Services, fired even more staffers yesterday at NIOSH, critical doctors and scientists who have dedicated their lives to helping these sick people and many others. None of these cuts have anything to do with efficiency. This is MAGA extremism pure and simple and it hurts our brave first responders and others who risked life and limb on 9/11, who rushed to the towers. These people are suffering. They’re getting cancers from the chemicals they breathed in when they ran to the towers to help protect us, and now they have to deal with this assault again, and again, and again. How vicious, how nasty, how callous.”

Schumer, today, demanded New York GOP House members use their upcoming budget vote that President Trump so badly needs as leverage to end this negligence, restore the critical medical staff at WTCHP, NIOSH and help these heroes.

“This political chaos is jeopardizing the healthcare of heroes. The NY House members in Congress must find the courage the 9/11 heroes had and use their leverage on the President as it relates to the budget, and join Senator Gillibrand and I to fix this mess now, because if these members haven’t realized it yet: they’re being played by the President,” Schumer added.

“Cutting staff critical to the operation of the World Trade Center Health Program will devastate our ability to care for sick first responders and survivors,” said Senator Gillibrand. “Once again, President Trump is betraying the heroes who stepped up and risked their lives in one of our nation’s darkest hours. It’s an outrageous betrayal of ‘never forget,’ and I will not rest until these un-American decisions are reversed.”

“The continued cuts to the WTC Health Program staff by the Trump Administration are a true disaster and place in peril the lives and health of every responder and survivor that rely on this program for their care. The delays in care these egregious actions are causing are reprehensible,” said Gary Smiley of FDNY EMS Local 2507, Uniformed EMTs, Paramedics & Fire Inspectors WTC Liaison.

“Our community is very literally sick and tired and as Fannie Lou Hamer once put it, also “sick and tired of being sick and tired.” We’re tired of the Trump Administration and Secretary Kennedy’s lies. We’re tired of having to trot our chronically ill onto stages to prove our suffering and attempt to humanize our losses and we’re tired of the constant mismanagement of the law for which we all fought so hard. 800 of our sick survivors and first responders couldn’t get certified in April because of the harm RFK Jr. has caused and we’re sick of it!” said Mariama James, WTCHP participant.

“The World Trade Center Health Program must be made whole, it must be fully funded and this program must stay off the table for any future cuts,” said Sean Michael, FDNY Battalion Chief, Uniformed Fire Officers Association Board Member.

Schumer and Gillibrand urged a once-and-for-all end to playing political football with the WTCHP because it saves lives and it is already lean. The senators said that this chaos is a dereliction of duty by the federal government, a disservice that must be reversed, so that the 9/11 health program, its staff, the federal government and the amazing medical professionals can all do their jobs: save lives. Schumer and Gillibrand said that they will not rest until this chaos is over.

The World Trade Center Health Program (WTCHP) provides critical medical treatment, research, and monitoring to over 137,000 responders and survivors of the September 11th terrorist attacks, living in every state and nearly every Congressional district. The WTCHP serves first responders and survivors from the World Trade Center and lower Manhattan, the Pentagon, and the crash site in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. This vital program provides life-saving care to the heroes who answered the call to serve in one of our nation’s darkest hours and the survivors who are forced to live with the health consequences from the attacks every single day.

Schumer and Gillibrand worked to establish the WTCHP on a bipartisan basis in 2011 with a five-year authorization to provide medical treatment and monitoring for 9/11 responders and survivors suffering from the effects of the toxins at Ground Zero. They worked to reauthorize the program in 2015 and extended through 2090 with bipartisan support. In 2022, Schumer and Gillibrand delivered $1 billion for the WTCHP in the end-of-year spending bill, and in 2023, they secured an additional $676 million for the program.

SCHUMER REVEALS: DOOMED TOUR FLIGHT COMPANY—“NEW YORK HELICOPTER TOURS”—FLIES UNDER FAA CLASSIFICATION THAT DOES NOT REQUIRE STRINGENT TRAINING OR PROTOCOL; SENATOR DEMANDS FEDS PULL FAA OPERATING CERTIFICATE OF COMPANY UNTIL CHOPPER CRASH INVESTIGATION IS COMPLETE; SENATOR ALSO DEMANDS FAA IMMEDIATELY INCREASE ‘RAMP CHECKS’ ON ALL HELICOPTER TOUR COMPANIES

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Schumer Reveals NEW Info On Tragic Hudson River Crash That Killed 6; Says Helicopter Tours Fly Under “Part 91” FAA Rules That Do NOT Require As Intense Training Like Commercial Helicopters Over NYC; This Can Allow Less Trained Pilots To Fly & Less Trained Eyes To Miss Mechanical Troubles BEFORE Flight; Schumer Wants This Company’s Operating Certificate Revoked Amid Investigation

Schumer Also Demands Feds Ramp Up Special FAA ‘Ramp Inspections’ At ALL Metro Area Helicopter Tour Companies Amid Questions Of Safety, Including At FlyNyon;“New York Helicopter Tours” & “FlyNyon” Are The Two Predominant Companies Doing These Risky Tours Over NYC

Schumer: Until We Get All The Answers, Feds Must Revoke Operating Certificate(s) Of Company Involved In Crash & Increase Inspections On FlyNyon That Offer Same Exact Flights

Mourning the tragic deaths of six people in NYC’s latest helicopter tour crash, U.S. Senator Charles Schumer praised the work of the NTSB and revealed NEW information about the doomed flight and its FAA operating certificate(s). Schumer revealed that the “New York Helicopter Tours” company was operating the doomed flight last week under what is called a “Part 91,” the lowest level of safety in the industry. Schumer detailed why this type of operation is riskier than passenger or commercial helicopter travel as he urged the FAA to revoke the operating certificate(s) of the company until the crash investigation is complete.

“It is just a tragedy that a military veteran and a beautiful family from Spain are gone in a flash,” said U.S. Senator Charles Schumer. “One of the things we can do to honor these lives is to try and save others, because if there is one thing we know for sure about New York City’s helicopter tour companies: they have a deadly track record, and it is usually the companies—not the pilots—that are openly manipulating federal FAA rules, cutting corners and putting profits over people. We saw something like this in the 2018 FlyNyon crash that killed five in the East River, and we very well could see it in this case, as it relates to maintenance and other helicopter safety protocols that were possibly ignored or dismissed by the company, New York Helicopter Tours.”

“What I can report today is related to the tour company—New York Helicopter Tours. This company has an operating certificate from the FAA that is called a “Part 91” – and it does not require the entire team of people who oversee or fly the helicopter to have the level of training and experience that commercial and passenger helicopter companies require,” said Schumer. “This company was operating at the lowest bar for safety, and across New York City, every single helicopter tour company has the same model, including FlyNyon, which is offering the same kinds of flights that just took the lives of six people right now – but at a new special of 70% off, if you can imagine that.”

“But right now, “New York Helicopter Tours” is under federal investigation for these deaths. And so, today, I am urging the FAA to pull their operating certificate and cease their flights until this investigation is concluded, at the least,” added Schumer. “The FAA can take some real action here in the name of safety, and they should. While the NTSB investigates, yet another tour crash, the company’s flights should cease.

Schumer also demanded that the FAA increase what are called ‘ramp inspections’ at other metro area helicopter tour companies, like at FlyNyon, the company a jury recently found responsible for the 2018 deaths of 5 during a similar sight-seeing tour crash. Helicopter ramp inspections, also known as ramp checks, are unscheduled inspections conducted by FAA inspectors to ensure compliance with regulations and maintain safety. These inspections can happen at any time on the ramp or in the vicinity of a helicopter, and they typically focus on verifying paperwork, the helicopter’s technical condition, and the pilot’s qualifications.

Schumer has a long history trying to raise alarm bells and save lives as it relates to holding helicopter tour companies accountable for their risky tour methods and lack of safety protocols, unlike those required in commercial and passenger helicopter flights. Schumer said the FAA must get serious about a culture of safety across the helicopter tour industry, and that overhauling safety standards of tour operators like ‘New York Helicopter Tours’ and ‘FlyNyon’ is one place to start immediately.

“Right now, in light of this horrific tragedy, the helicopter tour company most affiliated with “New York Helicopter Tours” called FlyNyon has decided to offer 70% off its tour flights that are also using Part 91 to fly. My office was able to book the same exact flight that just took the lives of six people for noon today with the same company involved in the death of five prior. We cannot just continue on and on and wait for another tragedy to happen here. We know these helicopter tour flights are unsafe and we know their weak points exist because of loopholes in the law that allow the tour companies to do things actual passenger service helicopter companies could never, so let’s close those loopholes and update the laws. I will keep pushing for these actions because they can actually get done. The FAA should be all over this,” Schumer said.

Specifically, Schumer explained that the safety and maintenance protocols for tourist helicopter flight operations have not changed for many years.

“We need to make sure New York City maintains the highest standards for tourist helicopters, that unlike passenger service, do not have a destination, which is what allows them to operate under looser standards to begin with. There are millions of people here, and on the ground,” Schumer said. “I urge the FAA to evaluate these protocols immediately.”

Schumer wants the FAA to focus on four main objectives as they play their part in this investigation and fatal crash, and asks the NTSB to offer its expertise, as well:

What is the right type or type(s) of helicopters, if any, to do tourism flights?

How many hours of flight time do pilots need to qualify?

How in depth do pre-flight mechanical reviews need to be?

Financial wherewithal tests for operators because if you don’t have money, you’re more likely to cut corners.

“As it relates to these four points and the recent helicopter crash, we clearly have more questions than answers,” said Schumer. “That is why it makes sense to do two things right now: cease the tour flights by the company in question and increase FAA ramp inspections on every other helicopter tour company right now in the metro area. This will allow us time to understand what happened, and why, while we put pressure on the other tour companies involved in the industry. Lives depend on getting this right, because these tour companies will always find a way to fly, so we have to get the regulations right and tight,” Schumer said.

SCHUMER DEMANDS FEMA IMMEDIATELY REVERSE DEVASTATING $300+ MILLION CUT FOR DISASTER PREPARDNESS, FLOOD MITIGATION & INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES ACROSS NEW YORK TO ENSURE CONSTRUCTION CAN CONTINUE & TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE

Last Week FEMA Announced It Will Eliminate The Building Resilient Infrastructure And Communities (BRIC), Cutting Projects Across NY; BRIC Was Set To Provide $325M For NYS Projects And Has Distributed $5B In Fed Grants Nationally Since It Started In 2020

BRIC Program – Created By Schumer And Signed Into Law By Trump – Helps State And Local Government Improve Infrastructure By Raising Roads, Improving Drainage, Creating Power Sources, And More With Projects In Capital Region, NYC, Buffalo, And More Set To Lose Funding

Schumer: FEMA Is Putting New Yorkers At Risk During Next Disaster By Cutting Off Funding

After Trump abruptly canceled FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) Program, including over $300 million in federal funding headed to New York, U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer today demanded FEMA reverse this harmful decision which will rip resources away from New York State’s disaster preparedness efforts. The senator said as New York has faced more extreme weather than ever, FEMA has played a critical role in helping communities rebuild and cutting off this lifeline with hurt New York families, businesses, and more in every corner of the state.

“New Yorkers are no strangers to natural disasters and FEMA’s BRIC program was one of the best tools for helping communities big and small rebuild to keep communities safe in the face of flooding, snowstorms and more. By ripping away over $300 million in funding for projects with no warning or explanation, imperiling them from moving forward, FEMA is going against its mission and putting the lives & safety of New Yorkers during the next emergency at risk,” said Senator Schumer. “When communities are hit by disaster, when roads are flooded, downtowns destroyed, or worse – it is FEMA that is supposed to come to help them rebuild. We cannot leave New York’s families, businesses, and neighborhoods fending for themselves by cutting off this vital lifeline. I’m demanding FEMA immediately reverse these cuts and restore BRIC to keep New Yorkers safe.”

FEMA’s Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) in 2020 and was previously signed into law by President Trump during his first administration. BRIC allocates resources to state and local governments to help mitigate damage from natural disasters, such as raising roads or building underground storage which will help make communities more resilient to extreme weather such as hurricanes or floods. When announcing that it would end the program, FEMA labeled BRIC as an “ineffective FEMA program” and said eliminating it was part of the Trump administration’s efforts to eliminate “waste, fraud and abuse.”

Schumer added, “I created BRIC to provide support for critical projects including rebuilding roads, improving drainage, creating emergency power sources, and more in every corner of the state – and Trump signed it into law. ‘DOGE’ claims to eliminate government waste, so why is Trump canceling a program that he signed into law? This newest announcement will only create more waste when houses, roads, and more are ruined with no resources to rebuild.”

In a letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Schumer explained that BRIC provides a lifeline for New York and other states that have been facing more extreme weather as they prepare for the next storm. For example, last year New York State set a record for most tornadoes in a year since they were first recorded in 1950 and experienced an earthquake that was felt throughout the state. Schumer said BRIC has and should continue to play a critical role in supporting New York’s infrastructure improvements and mitigating damage caused by extreme weather and natural disasters and called on the Trump administration to reverse these cuts and maintain BRIC.

Schumer said canceled projects are in every corner of New York State, including New York City, Westchester, the Capital Region, and Buffalo. For example, according to Governor Hochul, $100 million was cut off for two flood mitigation projects in Central Harlem and East Elmhurst, $24 million was cut off for the New York Power Authority to reduce the formation of ice jams in the Capital Region, and over $700,000 was cut off for the removal of a dangerous dam in Westchester.

Schumer explained that BRIC is one of several FEMA preparedness and resilience programs that help communities reduce the impacts of future disasters. The Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA) and State Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Program, established by the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act of 2020, or the STORM Act, provide critical support to communities that have been hit by disasters to help them prepare for the next major storm. Secretary Noem’s previous comments asserting that the Trump administration will “eliminate FEMA” put not just the BRIC and preparedness programs at risk, but also programs and funds that allow the federal government to respond to major disasters and help communities rebuild in the immediate and long-term aftermath.

Schumer’s letter to Secretary Noem can be found HERE or below:

Dear Secretary Noem:

I write to urge you to reverse your recent decision to cancel the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) grant program. By cancelling this program, New York State will lose over $325 million for projects that have not yet begun construction that would help mitigate or prevent flooding in local communities, helping to save lives and reduce the damages and costs of extreme weather. $56 million in funding has already helped begin some resilience projects, although this decision now puts those dollars at risk. Funding to help states invest in preparedness and resilience not only saves lives and property, but also saves money for local, state, and the federal government in the long term. I implore you to revisit your decision to end the BRIC funding for states and restore the $325 million investments in New York’s resilience to extreme weather.

The BRIC program provides local, state, territorial and Tribal governments resources to reduce their hazard risk when extreme weather strikes. In recent years, New York has seen its fair share of disasters, including 23 federally declared disasters with New Yorkers receiving $1,385 in federal aid per capita from disasters that occurred 2011 – 2024, the third highest cost per capita in the country. Just last year, New York saw tornadoes and flooding that left communities devastated. Hurricane Ida brought record-shattering rainfall and devastated New York City in 2021, drowning 11 people in their basement apartments, demonstrating the dire need for improved wastewater infrastructure to ensure no more lives are lost at the hand of extreme rainfall. Programs like BRIC that invest in resilience will help mitigate the impacts of these storms, preventing some or all of the most severe damages that these weather systems bring. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has stated that every $1 invested in disaster preparedness saves communities $13 in damages, cleanup, and recovery costs. The BRIC investments are not only a smart choice to save lives and property, but they also make economic sense.

Across New York City, 10 projects totaling over $280 million were slated to help improve flooding resiliency. The NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) has several projects to mitigate flooding impacts by reducing storm-related runoff and flooding from high intensity rainfall. These projects would improve and strengthen stormwater infrastructure across the city, including in the Historic South Street Seaport, Central Harlem, East Elmhurst, Corona East, at the NYCHA Polo Grounds Tower Development, and other areas of the city. In Upstate New York, three projects totaling over $1 million are at risk because of this reckless decision to cancel the BRIC program. In Westchester, the Upper Minkel Dam Decommissioning and Riparian Corridor Restoration project would restore a stream and surrounding land to reduce flood hazards, potentially eliminating any future flooding event at this site. The New York Power Authority was slated to address ice jams in Vischer Ferry along the NYS canal system, flushing ice from the Vischer Ferry impoundment to avoid jam flooding and the potential for ice dam formations. Lastly, the City of Buffalo was slated to utilize BRIC funds to improve building codes and invest in local workforce training and development, helping to improve energy use and the utilization of emerging technologies. All these projects, and more across the state, detailed today by New York Governor Kathy Hochul, would help improve community safety and invest in local workforce development, but are unfortunately now at risk thanks to the administration’s decision to cancel the BRIC program.

The BRIC program, along with FEMA’s other disaster preparedness and resilience programs such as the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA) and State Hazard Mitigation Revolving Loan Program, established by the Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Act of 2020, or the STORM Act, provide critical support to communities that have been hit by disasters to help them prepare for the next major storm. I urge you to swiftly restore the BRIC program to ensure these dollars can continue doing this important work to create safer communities and save costs.

Breaking News From Major

Mayor Mamdani Invites New Yorkers to Weigh in on Locations for E-Bike Battery Swapping Cabinets Across New York City

Portal seeks input on 25 locations proposed by NYC DOT and allows for the public to suggest additional locations

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today launched a public portal for New Yorkers to help determine the locations of roughly 25 e-bike battery swapping cabinets across the city.

E-bike battery swapping cabinets provide safe charging stations where electric micromobility users can plug in dead batteries and pick up full ones. The infrastructure, which is available to all New Yorkers, is essential for delivery workers, who — without access to battery swapping — often have to carry multiple heavy batteries to last a full shift.

“We’re building a city around the people who live and work here — their jobs, their dreams, their lives reflected in the infrastructure we invest in,” said Mayor Mamdani. “These e-bike battery swapping cabinets are about supporting workers, making our city safer and embracing the kinds of transportation New Yorkers are already turning to in growing numbers. I’m proud to help bring New Yorkers’ voices into this citywide rollout, and I’m eager to see how people shape it through the public portal.”

“E-bikes are an efficient, sustainable way to get around the city — and thousands of delivery workers rely on them every day,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “These battery swapping cabinets will make charging safer and more accessible on the job. We’re also inviting New Yorkers to weigh in through a new portal to help us place them where they’ll work best and have the biggest impact.”

The City’s battery swapping cabinets are designed to mitigate the risk of fires caused by lithium-ion e-bike batteries, which are often linked to the use of uncertified or low-quality batteries, improper charging in residential buildings, lack of safe storage spaces and educational gaps around safe battery handling

Each cabinet will include batteries that meet the highest fire safety standards set by the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), encourage the use of certified batteries and build confidence in the safety of e-bike charging across the city. Cabinets will be weather-resistant, theft-proof and fire-proof structures as well as include battery health monitoring and fire suppression systems.

NYC DOT and the FDNY will work in tandem to ensure all cabinets and batteries are properly certified to applicable UL standards and that all sites meet required clearances prior to installation.

To support this effort, the FDNY is extending the filing deadline for the outdoor installation of grandfathered charging cabinets under the Letters of No Objection program through September 2026.

The extension gives more time for cabinet installation application submissions and allows more Nationally Recognized Certified Labs to come online for UL 1487 testing.

“Public safety is at the core of everything the FDNY does,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “As part of this effort, the Department is extending the filing deadline for the outdoor installation of grandfathered charging cabinets under the Letters of No Objection program through September 2026. From a fire prevention standpoint, this additional time is critical: it allows more Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories to come online for UL 1487 certification and will ensure these cabinets meet the highest safety standards. This measured approach supports the safe expansion of charging infrastructure, reduces the risks associated with lithium-ion batteries, and works to protect both delivery workers and the public.”

In 2024, NYC DOT conducted a successful six-month public e-bike battery charging pilot, which concluded that the cabinets were safe, well-used and convenient for delivery workers. Pilot participants reported that the battery-swapping services allowed them to complete more deliveries during a shift.

The battery-swapping cabinets will be owned and operated by a vendor, or vendors, selected through an RFP process later this year and accessed by users through that vendor’s membership program.

The new battery swapping cabinets are part of NYC DOT’s Public E-Bike Charging (PEC) program. NYC DOT identified a focus area of Manhattan, Inner Queens, Inner Brooklyn and the South Bronx, the areas having the highest concentration of delivery activity and with a large portion of those delivery trips made on e-bikes. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) Clean Mobility Program is supporting this program by funding the electrical connections required to install the battery-swapping cabinets.

The sites NYC DOT identified for public feedback also meet clearances set by the agency and by the FDNY and are informed by NYC DOT’s Pedestrian Mobility Plan to maintain walkways that keep our sidewalks accessible.

NYC DOT will review the public’s comments on the preliminary sites, refine the list of locations based on this input and develop a prioritized list of approximately 25 locations to initiate the project’s design phase. NYC DOT aims to bring power to the finalized locations with cabinets available for use starting in 2028.

“NYSERDA has provided support for flexible, accessible and affordable mobility choices throughout New York City,” said NYSERDA President and CEO Doreen M. Harris. “NYC DOT’s new online portal will allow residents to submit recommendations on where they think safe, effective battery charging should be located in neighborhoods — which is essential to ensure that e-bike use is as effective as it can be for those living and working each day in those communities.”

Mayor Mamdani Takes Major Step Toward Citywide Trash Containerization, Announces Six New Districts

Six new districts containerized by end of 2027, with at least one fully containerized district in each borough; all trash off the streets by end of 2031

High-density buildings will place their trash into stationary on-street containers known as Empire Bins

NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner (DSNY) Gregory Anderson announced today that six new Community Districts across the city will have 100% trash containerization by the end of 2027. This announcement means that eight of the city’s 59 districts will have zero trash bags on the streets next fall, with the administration committing to full citywide trash containerization by end of 2031.

“In the wealthiest city in the wealthiest nation in the history of the world, no New Yorker should have their sidewalks covered in garbage. By finishing the job on containerization, we will ensure New York City’s streets remain the envy of the world,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We have the plan, we’re investing the money and we’re delivering on the promise of clean, healthy streets for every neighborhood.”

“Containerization is a long overdue step in bringing our city’s trash collection into the modern era, putting an end to the piles of garbage that have become far too common across our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “We will be hard at work rolling out this program throughout the five boroughs, keeping our public realm clean, safe and enjoyable for all New Yorkers.”

“Neighborhood by neighborhood, we are ending the decades-long era of trash bags on the streets of New York City,” said Sanitation Commissioner Anderson. “Others have talked a lot about containerizing the city’s trash, but we are actually getting it done, delivering cleaner streets and sidewalks, and fewer rats, to every corner of the city.”

Businesses and low-density residential buildings, including single-family homes, are already required to put their trash into smaller “wheelie bins.” Today’s announcement covers trash from higher-density residential buildings, whose building managers will put their trash into stationary on-street containers known as Empire Bins. These Empire Bins are assigned to individual buildings and accessible only to building managers. They will be serviced by North America’s first automated side-loading trucks.

Medium- and high-density residential buildings in the following districts will receive Empire Bins by the end of 2027:

Brooklyn Community District 8 (Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Weeksville)

Bronx Community District 2 (Hunts Point, Longwood)

Bronx Community District 5 (University Heights, Mount Hope, Morris Heights, Fordham Heights)

Manhattan Community District 2 (West Village, SoHo, Little Italy, Greenwich Village, Nolita)

Queens Community District 2 (Sunnyside, Hunters Point, Woodside)

Staten Island Community District 1 (North Shore)

During the course of the next year, DSNY will assign Empire Bins to all buildings in these districts with more than 30 units. Buildings with 10 to 30 units will be given an option — after extensive one-to-one outreach — to either have an Empire Bin assigned to them or use smaller “wheelie bins,” as all properties with one to nine units are already required to do citywide. This mirrors the successful operation in the first containerized district, Manhattan Community District 9.

The Department of Sanitation is expecting that this expansion will use more than 6,500 Empire Bins for more than 3,500 medium- and high-density buildings.

Trash in Manhattan Community District 9 (West Harlem) has been fully containerized since last June, creating noticeably cleaner streets. Brooklyn Community District 2 (Downtown Brooklyn, Boerum Hill, Brooklyn Heights, Fulton Ferry, DUMBO, Vinegar Hill, Fort Greene, Clinton Hill and Brooklyn Navy Yard) is scheduled to receive Empire Bins this fall.

While the initial West Harlem pilot has performed well for the last 10 months – including during a cold, snowy winter — the previous administration refused to fund or plan for expansion. Today’s commitment lays out a path to full, citywide containerization of trash in just five years.

The initial West Harlem pilot utilized roughly 1,100 Empire Bins to store trash from schools and high- and some mid-density residential buildings. The Empire Bins are serviced by automated side-loading trucks, which DSNY was able to have built years ahead of schedule by developers from Torino, Italy and Hicksville and Brooklyn, New York.

“Last year, the City Council passed my bill, the Rat Act (Int. 1123), to expand containerization citywide and finally get those unsightly heaps of trash bags off our sidewalks,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “I am thrilled for Mayor Mamdani and DSNY Commissioner Anderson’s announcement today to expand containerization to community board districts in every borough, including Community Board 8 in my district. It is encouraging to see this work begin to scale across the city. Containerization is a critical tool in addressing our rat crisis and improving street cleanliness. I look forward to continuing to work with the Mayor and Commissioner to build on this momentum and ensure this effort is fully realized citywide in the coming years.”

“It’s a great win for Lower Manhattan to be prioritized in the expansion of containerization. Community Board 2 has chronic sanitation issues that clog busy streets and create real quality-of-life problems for residents, workers and visitors,” said Council Member Christopher Marte. “Containerization makes a world of a difference in making sure our sidewalks and streets are designed for people to thrive, not rats. I look forward to working with the Department of Sanitation, CB2, and our neighbors to implement cleaner streets, and further beautify the neighborhoods we love.”

“Residential containerization is a mandatory citywide initiative, and our office will be working hand in glove with the administration and DSNY to make sure this rollout makes sense for Staten Island and goes as smoothly as possible for our communities,” said Council Member Kamillah Hanks.

“I am excited to see the expansion of residential containerization in the Bronx. This is a first step in resolving the longstanding issue of rats and illegal dumping in our streets,” said Council Member Oswald Feliz. “Our community deserves cleaner spaces, and I applaud Mayor Mamdani for taking the initiative to continue to improve the quality of life of our neighbors.”

Mamdani Administration Unveils First-of-its-Kind Insurance Program to Reduce Operating Cost of Housing Across New York City

City-backed insurance program will reduce premiums for approximately 100,000 homes by 2030, specifically affordable and rent-stabilized housing

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced a first-of-its-kind insurance program that will reduce the cost of property and liability insurance for affordable housing and rent-stabilized housing, a key step in tackling New York City’s housing and affordability crisis. An interagency working group comprised of the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC), Housing Development Corporation (NYCHDC), and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) will manage the selection and partnership of the insurance program, which aims to issue new insurance policies for 20,000 homes next year and 100,000 homes by 2030. The program will be self-sustaining over time and will help the City subsidize more affordable housing and support housing and property owners with rising costs by addressing a major cost driver: the price of insurance has more than tripled since 2017.

As New York City faces an unprecedented housing crisis, the Mamdani administration is using every tool at its disposal to drive down the cost of housing. The skyrocketing cost of insurance has hit affordable and rent-stabilized housing particularly hard, and every $100 increase in insurance costs requires $1,200 more in City capital in new transactions – meaning the new proposal will also drive down City spending per home in its affordable housing programs. To address these rising costs, broaden the reach of the City’s affordable housing subsidy, and help building operators make repairs, the City will hire independent actuarial experts to design and launch a new insurance program that will begin offering coverage in 2027.

“We cannot take on the housing crisis without confronting one of the fastest-growing costs facing New Yorkers: insurance. That’s why we’re creating the first city-backed insurance program — to help New Yorkers stay in their homes, give building owners the support they need to make repairs, and build a city that New Yorkers can actually afford,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“The skyrocketing cost of insurance is putting affordable, rent-stabilized housing at risk and risks setting back our efforts to build a more affordable city. This groundbreaking effort will use the City’s purchasing power to lower insurance premiums, helping our own investments in affordable housing go farther and reducing operating costs for owners of rent stabilized housing. This is just one step in how we’re working to bring down housing costs across the board,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“To make New York more affordable, we have to go after the structural costs driving up the price of housing. Insurance is one of those costs, and it has been rising far too fast for affordable and rent-stabilized housing to absorb. This new approach will help preserve homes, stretch scarce public resources, and protect the stability of neighborhoods across the city,” said Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice.

This announcement, made during an address to the housing policy group the Citizens Housing and Planning Council, begins the multi-step process to launch a City-backed insurance program:

This week, HDC will issue a Request for Proposals (RFP) for an actuary or risk consultant that will provide expertise to design the program.
This summer, NYCEDC will issue a Request for Expression of Interest (RFEI) to solicit proposals for how best to structure and operate this insurance program.
By 2027, the City expects to lower cost of insurance policies for the first 20,000 homes.
By 2030, new insurance policies are poised to be available to 100,000 homes.

“Soaring insurance costs are putting affordable and rent-stabilized housing at risk—this is a market failure that has gone uncorrected for too long, and it falls to government to step in. When we can lower the cost of running a building, that savings flows through to tenants,” said HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. “This effort is exactly the kind of bold, innovative response New Yorkers need to have access to affordable housing.”

“By investing in a city-backed insurance program, we will be tackling the housing crisis from a new and creative angle,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “At NYCEDC, we are looking to use every tool in our toolbox to deliver affordable housing and are thrilled to partner with HPD and HDC to carry out this vision and make New York City more affordable.”

“Rising insurance premiums have placed increasing strains on the housing market nationwide,” said HDC President Eric Enderlin. “Today’s announcement represents an important step toward delivering an innovative solution that will help ease the burden of insurance costs and protect the long-term financial stability of the city’s affordable and rent-stabilized housing stock.”

“Affordable housing can’t stay affordable without reining in rising operating expenses, and no expense has risen as dramatically as the cost of insurance,” said Howard Slatkin, Executive Director, Citizens Housing and Planning Council. “Every dollar in higher premiums is a dollar that can’t be spent on maintaining affordable homes in sound condition for residents. Going on offense against these rising costs is essential to help put affordable housing on a sound financial footing and maximize the impact of the City’s housing subsidies.”

“We need creative solutions to tackle the affordable housing insurance crisis,” said Kim Darga, Vice President and Market Leader, Enterprise Community Partners. “Insurance costs in the portfolio of affordable housing projects financed by Enterprise have more than doubled since 2017, straining operating budgets and challenging the ability of the city to continue producing the amount of housing we need. We applaud the Administration for taking immediate steps to address the crisis and look forward to working alongside our partners in government to ensure the new program is a success.”

“Over the last few years, insurance rates have risen astronomically and now represent the one of the largest per-unit expenses for the city’s rent stabilized and affordable housing stock. I applaud Mayor Mamdani and his team for their efforts to tackle one of key factors contributing to financial instability and distress in our city’s affordable housing,” said Rafael E. Cestero, CEO of the Community Preservation Corporation. “The city’s innovative insurance captive will drive down costs, help to preserve affordability, and decrease pressure on operating budgets – all of which will help preserve the physical and financial health of New Yorkers’ homes. I look forward to working with Deputy Mayor Bozorg and the Mamdani Administration as we continue to tackle our city’s housing supply and affordability challenges in new and impactful ways.”

“Skyrocketing insurance costs are one of the most significant and underappreciated threats to affordable housing in New York City,” said Rachel Fee, Executive Director, New York Housing Conference. “As detailed in our 2024 report, rising premiums are driving operating cost increases, squeezing budgets and undermining the City’s investment in affordable homes. We commend Mayor Mamdani’s bold action to address this head-on. A city-backed insurance program has the potential to stabilize costs for thousands of affordable and rent-stabilized homes, stretch City subsidy further and keep buildings in good repair. We look forward to working with the administration to make this program a success.”

“For years, rising insurance premiums have strained affordable and rent-stabilized housing providers and threatened the viability of homes New Yorkers depend on,” said Carlina Rivera, President and CEO, New York State Association for Affordable Housing (NYSAFAH). “Mayor Mamdani’s first-of-its-kind insurance program directly addresses one of our industry’s fastest-growing costs. By leveraging the City’s backing to reduce property and liability premiums, this initiative can lower expenses, unlock capital for repairs and new construction, and help preserve affordability for tens of thousands of households. NYSAFAH applauds this bold, data-driven approach and looks forward to working with the Administration to maximize its impact.”

“ANHD applauds Mayor Mamdani’s administration for advancing a new approach to address the rising cost of insurance, a major barrier to preserving and operating affordable housing. Too often, BIPOC, immigrant, and low-income communities—and the nonprofit, minority- and immigrant-led housing providers who serve them—face discriminatory insurance practices that drive up costs and limit access to coverage. This program represents an important step toward a more equitable system that supports the providers and communities at the heart of New York City’s affordable housing ecosystem,” said Barika Williams, Executive Director, Association for Neighborhood & Housing Development.

“Every part of the housing market is facing rising costs: rent, insurance, and utilities are all going up. New York City has long had tools to stabilize rents for tenants, so it’s exciting to see that today it is taking another step by introducing tools to help stabilize insurance costs for properties,” said Paul Williams, Executive Director, Center for Public Enterprise.

“For too long, the skyrocketing cost of insurance has quietly eroded the financial stability of buildings that thousands of New Yorkers call home. This is especially true in supportive and affordable housing, where margins are already razor thin and nonprofit providers have seen their premiums nearly triple in recent years. By tackling one of the fastest-growing cost drivers head on, this initiative will not only stabilize existing housing but also stretch scarce public dollars further, allowing for the creation and preservation of more supportive units. We commend the Mamdani administration for advancing an innovative solution that recognizes a simple truth: when we rein in the escalating costs that hinder affordable housing production, we strengthen housing stability for tenants,” said Pascale Leone, Executive Director, Supportive Housing Network of NY.

“Rising insurance costs are a major issue facing affordable housing in NYC, and we are glad Mayor Mamdani is stepping in with a publicly-backed solution. Lowering costs for operating housing will benefit tenants across NYC. Landlords should spend these savings on maintenance to improve living conditions for their tenants,” said Sumathy Kumar, Director, NYS Tenant Bloc.

“We appreciate Mayor Mamdani tackling the insurance crisis head-on. Runaway premiums have made it increasingly difficult for responsible owners to protect the buildings New Yorkers call home. We must deliver serious relief that benefits renters and their housing providers and government must take a bigger role. It’s clear that Mayor Mamdani realizes this and we are thankful he is prioritizing this issue,” said Kenny Burgos, CEO, New York Apartment Association.

“We appreciate the Mayor’s recognition that rent regulated apartments carry significant and growing costs to operate,” said Basha Gerhards, Executive Vice President of Public Policy, Real Estate Board of New York. “Insurance, property taxes, and utilities are exponentially driving expense growth, placing sustained pressure on owners and operators of regulated housing. We look forward to working collaboratively with the administration on additional tools and policy interventions to ensure the long term sustainability of New York City’s rent regulated housing stock.”

“This is a positive step in the right direction of actually reducing the cost of developing affordable housing. We need to see more of this,” said Craig Livingston, Board Chair, New York Real Estate Chamber.

“Insurance cost growth has become a major issue for affordable and rent stabilized housing in New York City. Part of bringing down costs for tenants requires finding solutions to these rising costs. The Mamdani administration is taking a first by establishing a public option that will add competition to the market, mitigate profiteering, and support efficient risk-sharing. In order to fully address mounting insurance costs, government will need to invest much more deeply in mitigating the increasing risks associated with climate change. Nonetheless this is an exciting step for the City and a core component of addressing housing affordability for City residents,” said Emily Eisner, Acting Executive Director and Chief Economist, Fiscal Policy Institute.

“We applaud the Mamdani administration for taking a courageous step to maintain the affordability and safety of New York City’s affordable housing and rent-stabilized apartments. We need new solutions because the market has failed to provide a workable insurance product for this housing stock,” said Caroline Nagy, associate director of housing at Americans for Financial Reform Education Fund. “A mission-driven, city-run property insurance program will provide better rates and more reliable coverage for landlords than private insurance companies who seek higher premiums and avoid payouts to maximize profits.”

Mayor Mamdani Announces New Mayor’s Fund Board, Including Bronx Public School Teacher and Former Longshoreman

The Mayor’s Fund will be chaired by Chief of Staff Elle Bisgaard-Church, who will steer its efforts to further the administration’s affordability agenda

The administration will also launch a Child Care Action Fund, with a goal of raising $20 million by the end of the year

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced a new Board of Directors for the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that partners with 50 City agencies and offices, philanthropic organizations and community leaders to invest in the most urgent challenges facing New Yorkers. The fund will play a key role in advancing the Mayor’s signature affordability agenda.

Elle Bisgaard-Church will chair the board, joined by six additional members. Kate Smith will continue to serve as Executive Director.

Under Mamdani, the Mayor’s Fund will look different from past administrations — centered not on corporate leadership, but on working New Yorkers and advocates who organized and fought for bold and progressive action on picket lines, protests and public forums in their communities. From Christina Cover, a Bronx public school teacher to Tony Perlstein, a UAW union organizer who built a career as a longshoreman, the board reflects the working people at the heart of this city — and the center of this administration’s mission.

The administration views the Mayor’s Fund as a complement to, not a substitute for, public investment. While advancing major government-led efforts to lower costs – including the first municipal grocery stores and a historic expansion of free child care – the Mayor’s Fund will help accelerate progress on core commitments to the movement that brought them to City Hall.

“I am honored to appoint my Chief of Staff, Elle Bisgaard-Church, to lead the Mayor’s Fund into a new era, one where philanthropy is not about who has money, but about whether that money delivers for working people,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We have assembled a team of principled, focused leaders who will build on the work this administration is doing to lower costs, keep New Yorkers safe and make our city’s public infrastructure the envy of the world.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Mayor Mamdani for the opportunity to embark on this new era for the Mayor’s Fund,” said Chief of Staff Elle Bisgaard-Church. “The Mamdani administration has received a mandate to change the relationship between New Yorkers and their government, and build an affordable city where everyone’s needs are met. We are excited to partner with the philanthropic community to deliver an optimistic and bold vision for our city to deliver on this mandate.”

“On behalf of the entire team at the Mayor‘s Fund, we welcome our new Board of Directors, chaired by Chief of Staff Elle Bisgaard-Church,” said Kate R. Smith, Executive Director of the Mayor‘s Fund to Advance New York City. “We’re thrilled to have a Board of Directors representative of the wide range of our city’s perspectives. The Board is responsible for taking all necessary steps to carry out the purpose of the Mayor‘s Fund, and ensures the Fund’s work remains aligned with the Mayor‘s policy goals and major initiatives. We’re excited to collaborate on advancing our mission in serving all New Yorkers across the City.”

Below are the members of the Mayor’s Fund Board of Directors:

Elle Bisgaard-Church serves as Chief of Staff to Mayor Zohran Mamdani and managed his successful mayoral primary campaign. She previously served as his Chief of Staff and Legislative Director in the State Assembly, where she helped lead winning campaigns to deliver debt relief for taxi drivers, secure historic investments in the MTA through #FixtheMTA and defeat a proposed fracked gas plant. She holds a master’s degree in social policy from the London School of Economics and Columbia SIPA, and has worked on issues including incarceration, homelessness and adult literacy.

Julie Chen is the Institutional Giving Manager at CAAAV: Organizing Asian Communities, where she supports efforts to build Asian immigrant and tenant power in New York City communities. Her previous work includes fundraising for an immigration bond fund, researching labor conditions for Chinese fast fashion workers in Italy and advocating for parents in the family policing system. She also serves in leadership roles with the Neighborhood Funders Group (NFG)’s Democratizing Development Program and the Resource Development Committee for Right to the City (RTTC).

Christina Cover is an English Language Arts teacher and the Literacy Coordinator at a Bronx public high school. She previously worked as a fellow with Seek Common Ground, served as Communications Coordinator for Assembly Member Khaleel M. Anderson and participated in AmeriCorps through City Year. She earned her B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders from CUNY Queens College, an M.A. in Intellectual Disabilities/Autism and dual teaching certification in English Language Arts and Special Education (7-12) from Teachers College, Columbia University and an Advanced Certificate in Reading Science and Literacy (All Grades) certificate from CUNY Brooklyn College.

Shawn V. Morehead is a philanthropic leader and legal advocate with over two decades of experience advancing equity in education, civil rights and social justice. She currently serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Program Officer at The New York Community Trust, where she oversees a $60 million annual grant making program supported by more than $1.5 billion in endowed funds. Prior to her current position, Shawn held several roles at The Trust, including Vice President for Grants and Program Director, where she spearheaded transformative programs such as securing $35 million to improve reading instruction in New York City public schools and launching multimillion-dollar initiatives to support immigrant communities. Before entering philanthropy, Shawn built a legal career focused on civil rights and education reform. As Litigation Director at Advocates for Children of New York, she led federal class-action cases to protect the rights of students with disabilities and those facing disciplinary proceedings, negotiating landmark settlements that improved educational services and accountability. A committed community leader, Shawn has served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including EdFunders, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees, and the Rivendell School.

Rickke Mananzala (he/him) has spent more than 25 years working alongside grassroots leaders, community organizations and movements advancing racial, economic and gender justice. He currently serves as President of the New York Foundation, which supports community organizing and advocacy to help build a more just and inclusive New York City. Previously, he was Vice President of Programs at Borealis Philanthropy, helping bring funders together to support grassroots leaders and organizations building power for lasting social change in communities across the U.S. Rickke’s work in philanthropy is grounded in his roots as a community organizer. He began as an organizer and later became Executive Director of FIERCE, a New York City organization led by LGBTQ youth of color that organized campaigns to reduce youth criminalization and build leadership and power among young people. He currently serves on the boards of the Public Welfare Foundation and Philanthropy New York. Rickke holds a B.A. in Political Science from Columbia University and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs, with a focus on urban policy.

Javier H. Valdés is director of the Civic Engagement and Government program. He supports grant making to strengthen representation, participation and leadership in US democracy so that communities can shape their futures, with dignity, inclusion and equitable access to economic resources. Javier joined the foundation in 2021 after previously serving as co-executive director of Make the Road New York (MRNY) and Make the Road Action. He has spent decades advocating for policy reforms, including limiting the local presence of federal immigration enforcement, improving the quality of affordable housing, expanding translation and interpretation services at government offices, and reducing biased policing. Javier has held positions at the New York Immigration Coalition, Synergos Institute and United Nations Capital Development Fund. In 2013, President Barack Obama awarded Javier the White House Champions of Change Cesar Chavez Award. Javier has a masters degree in urban planning in community and economic development from the NYU Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service and a bachelor of arts in international studies and environmental design and architecture from Texas A&M University.

Tony Perlstein brings decades of experience as a union and community organizer and a lifelong commitment to working people, community empowerment and public service. Born in the Bronx and raised in Brooklyn, he is a New Yorker with a deep dedication to the communities that shaped him. He currently serves as a director in the organizing department of the United Auto Workers (UAW), having previously been the union’s national co-director of education. As a former longshore worker in the port of New York and New Jersey, he was elected Secretary-Treasurer of his local union and helped lead a successful national effort to raise wages and assure new technology did not hurt workers’ standard of living. Prior to being a longshoreman, he organized New York City restaurant, warehouse, lumberyard and other industrial workers to advocate for improved conditions.

Mayor Mamdani Announces Seven New Early Childhood Education Centers Opening This Fall

Seven previously vacant sites will add 240 new 3-K seats, bringing programs closer to families  

Additional seats for community-based providers to be announced in coming weeks   

NEW YORK— Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels announced seven new early childhood education centers will open this fall, adding about 240 new 3-K seats across the city. The sites, previously vacant, are part of the first phase of the 3-K expansion announced last month for the 2026–27 school year.

The new centers will meet community demand, make full use of existing space and expand access to early childhood education closer to where families live.  

The City also announced an expansion of capacity among existing contracted providers, adding seats across current programs. Additional center-based seats will be announced following the evaluation of the Request for Information (RFI) issued earlier this year, along with planned increases in family child care network capacity.   

“Today, we are opening doors that should never have been closed to our families — safe, nurturing spaces where their children can learn and grow, in their own communities,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, truly accessible child care was just out of reach. By bringing these sites online, we’re making clear that no amount of red tape will get in the way of delivering the free, universal child care New Yorkers deserve.”   

“We have been deliberate about how we approach early care and education and are taking meaningful steps to put more seats closer to the families that need them most,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “These are more than just additional seats. They are the foundation every child needs to thrive, and we are committed to making sure no family in our system has to look too far to find a high-quality program for their child.”    

The following sites will be open for the 2026–2027 school year: 

District 11 – 1107 East Gun Hill Road

District 15 – 274 Atlantic Avenue

District 22 – 1326 East 57th Street

District 24 – 63-57 Fresh Pond Road

District 24 – 104-72 Roosevelt Avenue

District 24 – 47-00 76th Street

District 25 – 18-31 131st Street

Site selections were based on community demand, seat availability, site readiness and the ability to open for the upcoming school year.

New programs will be listed on MySchools. Families who have already applied will receive email instructions on how to update their applications. Families who missed the deadline can still join program waitlists.  

Today’s announcement builds on the Mamdani Administration’s commitment to delivering universal child care to New York City families, supported by the state in partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul. Since Jan. 1, 2026, the City has announced the launch of full-day, full-year 2-K, the city’s first universal child care for 2-year-olds, set to launch with 2,000 initial seats this year, as well as an expansion of more than 1,000 3-K seats in 56 ZIP codes.  

Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul Announce State’s First Pied-à-Terre Tax, Requiring Ultrawealthy and Global Elites to Pay Their Fair Share

Historic measure will help close the budget gap, Mamdani administration to increase taxes on luxury secondary properties owned by residents outside New York City

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced the proposal of the state’s first pied-à-terre tax, a major step toward closing New York City’s budget gap while protecting the public services working New Yorkers rely on.

The pied-à-terre tax — supported by 93% of New Yorkers — will levy an annual surcharge on one to three family homes, condominiums and co-ops valued above $5 million when owners have a separate primary residence outside of New York City. While leaders from multiple mayoral administrations have proposed similar measures for more than a decade, this policy marks the first time such a tax will be enacted in New York State.

The measure targets ultrawealthy out-of-city residents and global elites who use New York City real estate as a vehicle for wealth storage rather than as homes. It is projected to generate $500 million in annual revenue, including from some of the most expensive residences in the country — from billionaire Ken Griffith’s $238 million penthouse in Midtown, at one time the most expensive home sold in the United States, to Russian auto-dealer Alexander Varshavsky’s $20.5M property (purchased in cash), and thousands more owned by foreign oligarchs and the global ultrarich.

“Thanks to the support of Governor Hochul, we are one step closer to balancing our budget by taxing the ultra-wealthy and global elites with a pied-à-terre tax — the first of its kind in our state. Alongside the governor, our administration is fighting every day to make sure we address this fiscal deficit fairly, where the wealthy contribute what they owe and our budget reflects our commitment to the working New Yorkers being priced out of our city,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“New York City is the greatest city in the world, and the people who call it home should not be left carrying the burden alone. As Governor, I understand the importance of stabilizing the city’s finances without compromising on essential services New Yorkers count on. If you can afford a $5 million second home that sits empty most of the year, you can afford to contribute like every other New Yorker,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

ICYMI: Mayor Mamdani, Joseph Stiglitz and Gabriel Zucman: “Tax day is a reminder of America’s unequal tax system. But we can fix it”

NEW YORK – In a new opinion piece, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Nobel laureate in economics Joseph Stiglitz and economics professor Gabriel Zucman warn that today’s levels of inequality are “fundamentally unsustainable” and driven in large part by the failure to tax extreme wealth.

Writing for The Guardian, the authors highlight how extreme inequality has reshaped daily life in New York and around the world and why taxing the ultra‑rich is essential to restoring economic balance and democratic trust.

“The idea that billionaires should pay higher tax rates than working people is not radical. What is radical is allowing a system where extreme wealth exists alongside widespread hardship – and where those billionaires can in effect opt out of contributing to the society that made their success possible.

The longer we wait to fix that, the more entrenched wealth and economic and political power become, further cementing the privileges of our modern aristocracy.”

The piece also underscores efforts underway in New York, where advocacy by the Mamdani administration has led to the introduction of the first-ever pied‑à‑terre tax targeting the second homes of ultra‑wealthy property owners to help close the city’s budget deficit and fund essential public services.

In case you missed it, read the full piece in The Guardian below:

The Guardian

Tax day is a reminder of America’s unequal tax system. But we can fix it

April 15, 2026

Today, we have more income and wealth inequality than ever before. New York City’s average household income is $131,000. Without extreme inequality, residents could live reasonably well. Instead, a few people at the top of the income ladder capture enormous wealth, while millions of others struggle just to get by. Some simply can’t make it. For them, New York has become fundamentally unaffordable.

This outsized level of inequality has enormous economic, political and social consequences. It undermines social and political cohesion, erodes trust in institutions and leads people to conclude, correctly, that the system is rigged.

Nearly one-fifth of America’s super-rich live in New York, the highest concentration of wealth in any state. But inequality is not just a New York problem or even an American problem – though the United States is more unequal than almost every other advanced economy. It is a global crisis.

The global inequality report, commissioned during South Africa’s G20 presidency, found that between 2000 and 2024, the richest 1% captured 41% of all new wealth, while the bottom half of humanity got just 1%. This trajectory is unsustainable.

The rise of extreme wealth is one of the clearest signs of this imbalance. In 1987, billionaires held wealth equal to 3% of global GDP. Today this tiny elite, just 0.0001% of the world population, owns the equivalent of 16% of world GDP in wealth.

As wealth concentrates, so does power – the power to influence elections, shape policy, tilt markets and define the terms of public debate.

One of the main drivers of this trend is our collective failure to effectively tax the super-rich. Until recently, the scale of the problem was difficult to measure. Public data does not track tax contributions of the ultra-wealthy. But recently, there has been a flurry of research looking at just that, and the findings are clear.

In the 1960s, the 400 richest Americans paid about 50% of their income in taxes across all levels of government. Today, they pay about 24%.

This is not unique to the US. Across Europe – including France, Italy and the Netherlands – and in countries such as Brazil, researchers find the same pattern: the super-rich pay lower effective tax rates than almost everyone else. They excel not only at making money, but at avoiding and evading taxes.

Even when they do pay, it falls far short of their fair share – despite the fact that their wealth depends heavily on public investment: government contracts, a highly educated workforce, a rule of law that facilitates business or good infrastructure, or even the basic technology that underlies their “innovation”. Instead, the burden is shifted on to working people whose taxes sustain the very systems that enable extreme wealth.

It is high time we confront this problem collectively.

We can disagree about how progressive tax systems should be – the extent to which the rich should pay more tax, relative to their income, than the rest of us. But there is no justification for a regressive system in which the super-rich contribute less than the rest of us. This is how inequality is deepened and sustained.

For too long, reform has been dismissed as too complex or politically infeasible, even as voters across the political spectrum enthusiastically support the rich paying what they owe.

That is beginning to change.

In 2024, under Brazil’s leadership, the G20 put this issue on its agenda and committed to more effective taxation of ultra-high-net-worth individuals. It commissioned a report that proposed a minimum tax of 2% on the wealth of the super-rich – a straightforward way to ensure they meet their obligations to society.

That powerful idea has had ripple effects. In 2025, Spain and Brazil committed to leading a coalition of countries to implement it. This weekend, the Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, and Brazilian president, Luiz Inácio Lula Silva, will meet in Barcelona with the heads of states of South Africa, Mexico, Colombia and many more countries to press ahead.

In France, a version of this minimum tax passed the National Assembly, though it was blocked by the conservative Senate. Still, it remains central to the national debate – much like the income tax itself, which once faced similar resistance from conservative forces before becoming law. In the US, a paradigm shift is under way. California voters will consider a tax on billionaire wealth this November. Washington state has approved a 9.9% income tax on million-dollar incomes, set to take effect in 2028. In New York, we are calling on the state to increase taxes on the rich and large corporations to close New York City’s budget deficit and fund essential public services like affordable housing and childcare. And we are already making progress with a new pied-a-terre tax in New York City, which will tax the ultra-wealthy and global elites.

These are just the first steps toward restoring a basic social principle: that those with the most should contribute their fair share so that everyone can live with dignity.

The idea that billionaires should pay higher tax rates than working people is not radical. What is radical is allowing a system where extreme wealth exists alongside widespread hardship – and where those billionaires can in effect opt out of contributing to the society that made their success possible.

The longer we wait to fix that, the more entrenched wealth and economic and political power become, further cementing the privileges of our modern aristocracy.

Joseph E Stiglitz is a Nobel laureate in economics, university professor at Columbia University and chief economist of the Roosevelt Institute

Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City

Gabriel Zucman is professor of economics at the Paris School of Economics and École normale supérieure – PSL and Director of International Tax Observatory

Mayor Mamdani Announces La Marqueta as First Site Identified for City’s Public Grocery Stores

All five sites to open before end of mayoral term; first location to open in 2027 and La Marqueta to open in 2029

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Julie Su and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) announced La Marqueta as the first site identified for the City’s municipal grocery store program.

The 9,000-square-foot store in East Harlem will be constructed from the ground up and is expected to open by 2029. The first City-owned grocery store is expected to open in late 2027. The Mamdani administration plans to open one store in each borough by the end of the Mayor’s first term.

Grocery prices in New York City have risen nearly 66% over the past decade — significantly outpacing the national average. The city-owned grocery initiative is designed to lower costs on everyday staples by using public ownership to eliminate costs that are currently passed on to consumers.

The initiative aims to deliver affordable, high-quality groceries that provide meaningful savings to New Yorkers and strengthen neighborhood food access citywide. Mayor Mamdani has allocated $70 million in capital funds for the development of the five sites.

“When corporations control every part of the food supply chain, prices go up, basic necessities become luxuries and workers and customers both lose,” said Mayor Mamdani. “A public option allows us to intervene where the market has failed. We cannot accept a status quo where even the most fundamental needs — putting food on the table — feel out of reach. This is about ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of income or ZIP code, has access to fresh, healthy food at a price they can afford.”

Under the model, the City will own the land and cover overhead costs like rent and construction. A private operator, selected through a request for proposals, will manage daily operations and be contractually required to pass savings directly to customers on a core basket of everyday staples.

“Economic justice means making sure the basic necessities of life — starting with food — are affordable and accessible in every borough,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “The city-owned grocery stores initiative is a centerpiece of our economic justice agenda because it addresses affordability, worker dignity, and neighborhood vitality all at once.”

“The health and well-being of New Yorkers are dependent on their ability to access affordable, nutritious foods,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “The opening of a city-owned grocery store — the first of five — is a monumental step toward addressing the cost-of-living crisis, improving public health, and creating a more dignified and equitable city for all New Yorkers.”

The administration also announced the creation of an NYC Groceries Task Force led by Deputy Mayor Su and Deputy Mayor Arteaga. The task force will convene City agencies, industry experts and local small business owners to guide implementation.

“This initiative is about making sure families in my district can buy fresh, affordable food right in their own neighborhood, food that reflects the cultures and traditions of the people who live here,” said Council Member Elsie Encarnacion.“I’m thankful to Mayor Mamdani and his administration for choosing East Harlem as the first site, and for recognizing how important it is to invest in neighborhoods like ours.”

“I commend Mayor Mamdani for taking this important step to expand access to healthy, affordable food in Manhattan,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “In East Harlem, we see the health consequences of limited access every day-from higher rates of diabetes to heart disease-and the selection of La Marqueta builds on its historic role as a vital neighborhood food hub.”

“Food is a basic human right and no one should have to work more than one job to afford to put dinner on the table,” said Council Member Yusef Salaam. “No child should go hungry and no parent should have to worry about where the next meal will come from. The opening of a municipal grocery store by Mayor Mamdani in East Harlem to serve Harlemites and upper Manhattanites is a significant step toward fighting food insecurity in our communities.”

“Today, we take the first major step in delivering New York City’s first public grocery stores and NYCEDC is proud to work with Mayor Mamdani and his administration in delivering these public stores that will help address food insecurity and affordability while ensuring good paying, quality jobs and a dignified, enjoyable shopping experience for New Yorkers,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “We look forward to working together with our agency partners and engaging with the East Harlem community on the next steps of development for this public grocery store that will be of great benefit to East Harlem, surrounding communities, and New Yorkers at large.”

“As the Administration seeks ways to lower the cost of groceries for New Yorkers, we look forward to working with it to make sure these stores deliver for families and workers alike,” said Stuart Appelbaum, President of RWDSU and Executive VP of UFCW.

Located in the heart of East Harlem, La Marqueta is one of six public markets operated by NYCEDC. The site supports more than 20 small businesses and 120 workers, including restaurants, art vendors and community organizations.

Opened in 1936 by Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia as the Park Avenue Retail Market, La Marqueta was created to bring East Harlem’s pushcart vendors — predominantly Jewish and Italian — under one roof and expand and affordable access to fresh food for working-class New Yorkers. As waves of Puerto Rican, Dominican, Cuban, and Mexican immigrants transformed the neighborhood into Spanish Harlem in the decades that followed, the market evolved, becoming “La Marqueta.”

Mayor Mamdani’s decision to site New York City’s first public grocery store at La Marqueta continues that legacy: using public infrastructure to deliver affordable food to working class New Yorkers.

Mayor Mamdani Unveils Proposal for Transformational Redesign of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza

Project will create a world-class public space at the entrance to ‘Brooklyn’s backyard’

NYC DOT to present project details and host public workshops beginning April 23

GAP Right High QualityGAP Left High Quality

Grand Army Plaza’s current design (L) and NYC DOT’s proposal (R). Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced today a proposal to create a world-class public space and dramatically improve pedestrian and cyclist safety at Grand Army Plaza by connecting the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch to Prospect Park. The project aims to make it easier to travel around and through the plaza, including by streamlining bus service on one of the busiest routes in Brooklyn, with 27,300 daily riders on the B41 and 5,600 daily riders on the B6.

NYC DOT will finalize the capital project’s design through a series of public workshops beginning on April 23. More information and a community feedback survey will be posted online the day of the workshops at nyc.gov/grandarmyplaza. The survey will be available through Sunday, May 31.

“Grand Army Plaza is the gateway to Brooklyn’s backyard, Prospect Park — and it should welcome New Yorkers with street design that puts safety first,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Anyone who’s tried to cross here knows how dangerous and chaotic the streets can be. This redesign is long overdue and will provide a sense of ease and enjoyment to one of Brooklyn’s most important public spaces.”

“This restoration will breathe new life into one of Brooklyn’s most historic spaces, bringing critical improvements that will make the plaza safer and more accessible for everyone,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “This is a significant step toward building better-designed public spaces with the needs of New Yorkers front and center.”

“Under Mayor Mamdani, we are focused on making our streets the envy of the world — and Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn presents a perfect opportunity to do so,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Every time NYC DOT has provided more space to pedestrians at the park, it’s been an instant success, and it becomes impossible to think of how the space could have functioned before. The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Memorial Arch is an iconic symbol of Brooklyn, and we’re ready to take the next big step to create a public space all of Brooklyn will be proud of and enjoy.”

“Our parks are at their best when they are safe, welcoming and easy for all New Yorkers to get to. This improvement to Grand Army Plaza would give pedestrians and cyclists a safer and more relaxing way to enter Prospect Park and take advantage of all it has to offer,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We look forward to working with our partners in the community and across City government to reshape this space for the benefit of all New Yorkers.”

Previous workshops held in 2024 showed significant community support for the project with over 85% of the 3,600 survey respondents supporting a project that connects the park and plaza to the Memorial Arch and Bailey Fountain, or “Option B” in the outreach summary chart below.

GAP Design High Quality

NYC DOT’s design for Grand Army Plaza, developed through years of community feedback. Credit: NYC DOT

Once the capital project scope development is completed this year, NYC DOT will explore options for reconstruction that would include reconstructing the roadway to add a host of new pedestrian and cyclist amenities.

NYC DOT will be hosting virtual and in-person public sessions at the dates and locations below:

Thursday, April 23 from 4pm to 6pm: Visit NYC DOT’s tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Grand Lobby of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the main entrance.
Saturday, April 25 from 10am to 1pm: Visit our tent south of the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Arch in Grand Army Plaza. In case of rain, the event will be held in the Civic Commons area of the Brooklyn Public Library. Please use the Flatbush Avenue Entrance.
Wednesday, April 29 from 6pm to 7:30pm on Zoom: Register for the April 29 virtual workshop in advance via Zoom.

“The days of New Yorkers having to navigate a labyrinth of roads and intersections just to get to Prospect Park are finally numbered,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “Thanks to Mayor Mamdani and the DOT, Grand Army Plaza will soon function as a world-class gateway to a world-class park, streamlining traffic and delivering much-needed pedestrian and cyclist safety improvements. I encourage Brooklynites to attend the upcoming workshops to learn more about the proposal and help shape the future of one of Brooklyn’s finest gems.”

“Grand Army Plaza has long been one of the most challenging intersections in Brooklyn — a web of roadways that has been unsafe for pedestrians and cyclists to navigate for decades,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This redesign is truly transformative. Connecting Prospect Park to the Plaza will finally give New Yorkers the safe, accessible public space this iconic landmark deserves. I urge every District 39 resident to come out to the upcoming workshops and help shape this vision for our community.”

“The proposal for Grand Army Plaza is an exciting opportunity that prioritizes safety for everyone who uses our streets, and it will require meaningful community input,” said Council Member Crystal Hudson. “As this process moves forward, I look forward to continuing to hear from the community and ensuring Grand Army Plaza remains a vibrant, accessible public space for everyone.”

“We’re ecstatic that New York City will be connecting Grand Army Plaza’s arch to the rest of Prospect Park,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Ben Furnas. “This is a major step forward for everyone who visits Brooklyn’s backyard, and a restoration of Olmsted’s original vision for his favorite park. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Flynn and all of the Brooklyn neighbors and TA activists who dedicated themselves to fighting for a safer Grand Army for years. With this proposal, one of Brooklyn’s most confusing and harrowing intersections will transform into a new marquee public space for all to enjoy — on foot, on a bike or on the bus.”

“Grand Army Plaza was always envisioned as the formal entrance to Prospect Park and has served as one of Brooklyn’s premier gathering spaces for the past 150 years,” said Prospect Park Alliance President Morgan Monaco. “This project will advance our work in creating safe, inviting and accessible public space and also greatly enhance the plaza’s role as Brooklyn’s ‘town square’ and one of its most democratic spaces.”

Mayor Mamdani Unveils Website Tracking First 100 Days Achievements

New interactive map shows achievements across the five boroughs — from fighting for workers and tenants, to delivering universal child care and improving roads.NEW YORK – Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced today the launch of a new website to keep New Yorkers informed about the administration’s first 100 days. The site features an interactive map highlighting accomplishments across the five boroughs, along with a dropdown menu to sort initiatives by the administration’s key priorities.

In his first 100 days, Mayor Mamdani has delivered results for New Yorkers. On Day 8, the Mayor joined Governor Hochul to announce a historic $1.2 billion investment in universal child care, including a 1,000-seat expansion of 3-K. This fall, the Mamdani administration will offer full-day, full-year 2-K seats for the first time in city history.

The administration has also secured more than $9 million in restitution for workers and small businesses, expanded protected time off for 4.3 million workers and delivered $34 million in repairs, settlements and judgements on behalf of tenants.

“New Yorkers deserve a government that works as hard as they do,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We promised transparency and accountability, and this website lets people see exactly when and where we’re investing in our city. The best part is, this is only the beginning.”

Since taking office Jan. 1, Mayor Mamdani has made stops and announcements in all five boroughs. From filling the 100,000th pothole in Staten Island to clearing illegal dumping in the Bronx, the map illustrates the scope of the administration’s work in its first 100 days.

The website is organized around four key themes: delivering child care for all, tackling corruption and waste, solving problems big and small and protecting all New Yorkers. The interactive map also includes links to press releases, photos, videos and other relevant information.

Bringing Universal Child Care to New York City: Mayor Mamdani Delivers for New York’s Cutest in First 100 Days

From launching 2-K to expanding 3-K to improving access across the board, the Mamdani administration is treating child care as the public good it should be

NEW YORK — In his first 100 days in office, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani has made sweeping progress toward universal, accessible child care, a central pillar of his affordability agenda, demonstrating what is possible when government prioritizes working families.

“Our movement is built on the belief that universal child care is essential infrastructure in a city that delivers for its people,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Every dollar we invest in our children is an investment in a stronger, more equitable New York City – one where families can afford to stay and grow. When government acts with urgency and purpose, we can deliver real results for working families – and we’re just getting started.”

“Child care isn’t just a service – it creates jobs, strengthens our economy and makes our city more affordable,” said Emmy Liss, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. “As a parent in New York City, I know how hard it can be to find reliable, affordable child care — and how transformational it is when you do. In the first 100 days, we’ve made serious progress toward building the systems families deserve.”

“The progress we’ve made in early childhood education since January proves two things: there is a need for expansion and City support makes a real difference,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Every child deserves access to a high-quality education from day one and we are committed to making that a reality. With the close collaboration between the Mamdani administration and New York City Public Schools, we’re able to deliver meaningful changes for families across the city.”

Launching 2-K

On day eight of the administration, Mayor Mamdani introduced 2-K in partnership with Governor Kathy Hochul, providing free child care for thousands of two-year-olds – a major step toward universal child care for children from six weeks to five years old.

Since then, the Mayor has:

Announced a groundbreaking procurement process to bring new providers in to join 2-K, and for the first time in five years, expand participation in 3-K.

Identified the first four communities to receive 2,000 2-K seats, with plans to expand to 12,000 seats across every borough next year and achieve full universality by the end of the first term.

Launched a citywide jingle competition with Cardi B, to raise awareness ahead of the June 2 application opening.

Established full-day, full-year programming, from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 260 days a year, as the primary 2-K model to meet families’ needs.

Expanding 3-K

Mayor Mamdani also announced an expansion of more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in 56 ZIP codes, strengthening and expanding the program.

New seats will be added this fall in five ZIP codes in the Bronx, six on Staten Island, eight in Brooklyn, 16 in Manhattan and 21 in Queens.

The opening of an early childhood center on the Upper East Side will meet longstanding demand in the neighborhood that went unmet under the previous administration.

Cutting Red Tape, Supporting Providers

The administration has moved to reduce bureaucratic barriers and better support child care providers:

Launched a new online child care center provider permitting portal with the Health Department, replacing a fragmented system and making it easier to open child care centers.

Engaged directly with providers to gather feedback and identify pathways to a more sustainable system.

Visited 11 early childhood programs across all five boroughs, highlighting diverse care modes and recognizing educators and caregivers. Mamdani became the first Mayor to visit a home-based family child care provider.

Making Child Care More Accessible

To address longstanding confusion about available resources, the administration has introduced new tools and outreach efforts:

Launched the New York City Parent Survey with Robin Hood and the New Practice Lab, giving families a direct role in shaping universal child care.

Introduced a first-of-its-kind child care map and resource center to help families to find and compare programs. Since the launch on April 1, over 10,000 unique users have visited the site.

Advanced the City’s first free, on-site child care pilot program for municipal workers, with applications opening on April 30, 2026.

Included $70 million in the preliminary budget for preschool special education to ensure continuity of services.

These efforts are part of a broader, coordinated outreach strategy to ensure families are aware of available programs. The campaign has included PSA-style videos, featuring community leaders such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, a joint op-ed by the Mayor and Senator Elizabeth Warren, and multilingual advertising across LinkNYC kiosks, TaxiTV and City ferries.

In his first 100 days, Mayor Mamdani has made child care a central priority. The administration will continue expanding access, improving quality and supporting providers and families in the months and years to come.

“In just 100 days, Mayor Mamdani has made tremendous progress toward delivering universal and accessible child care, and the NYC Health Department is proud to play a collaborative role, working hand-in-hand with our sister agencies and offices to deliver on this promise for New York City families,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “From streamlining the child care permitting process to creating a first-of-its kind map helping families find a program that fits their needs, none of this could be possible without all of us working together towards a common goal: ensuring access to safe, quality, and culturally responsive child care. Together, the Mamdani administration is building a healthier, more equitable future for our children, where every family has the support they need to thrive.”

“Child care is an essential support for families, enabling parents to work while ensuring their children are safe, nurtured, and able to thrive,” said Administration for Children’s Services Interim Commissioner Melissa Hester. “ACS remains committed to helping as many families as possible have access to child care, and we are grateful to Mayor Mamdani for delivering on this promise.”

“This administration’s recent launch of easy-to-use digital tools supporting families and child care providers illustrates our vision for using technology to make government services and benefits more accessible for the New Yorkers who need them most,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter.

“Accessible, reliable child care is essential to keeping New York City running, for both families and our city workforce that delivers critical services every day,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “DCAS is proud to support these efforts through our first free, on-site child care program at 1 Centre Street, a space that will help working parents better balance the demands of work and family life, while supporting a stronger and more resilient city workforce.”

Municipal Madness: Mayor Mamdani Performs Winning City Fix, Cleans Up Illegal Dumping in Soundview on Day 100

New Yorkers cast more than 21,000 votes in City’s first Municipal Madness — with 18,761 backing clean up of illegal dumping

Commissioners “talk trash” at a postgame presser featuring Bronx cheerleaders and DSNY mascot Scrappy

Sanitation workers launch a daylong cleanup across Bronx Community District 9

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani put on his work gloves today to mark Day 100 of his administration, announcing that “cleaning illegal dumping in Soundview” won the City’s first Mayor’s Municipal Madness — a competition of city fixes in which every problem is addressed, but only one is tackled by the Mayor himself.

Over the course of the competition, New Yorkers cast more than 21,000 votes on 16 repairs. Cleaning illegal dumping in Soundview received 18,761 votes total and won the final matchup with 67.7% of the votes.

“This is what being a New Yorker is all about: listening to your neighbors, rolling up your sleeves and getting to work,” said Mayor Mamdani. “No problem is too small for this administration — not broken water fountains on the Lower East Side, not faded crosswalks in Jamaica and certainly not illegal dumping in Soundview. 100 days in, we’re delivering fixes of all shapes and sizes for the city that deserves nothing but the best.”

“Every day, at every hour, City workers are solving problems — simple and complex — for New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The Mayor’s Municipal Madness gave New Yorkers a closer look at that work and a chance to shape how we marked this administration’s hundredth day: by tackling the daily frustrations our neighbors face.”

Competing commissioners — Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Gregory Anderson, Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Tricia Shimamura and Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn — joined Mayor Mamdani to “talk trash” at a postgame press conference in Soundview. Bronx G.E.M.S. cheerleaders and DSNY mascot Scrappy hyped up the crowd as crews kicked off a sweeping cleanup of the entire district.

“Our team runs the court day and night to remove the 24 million pounds of waste New Yorkers set out every single day, and as this tournament highlights, we do even more behind the scenes to keep this city clean, green and not-so-mean,” said DSNY Commissioner Gregory Anderson. “In the world of March Madness, 67 teams go home disappointed. In New York City’s Municipal Madness, 8.6 million New Yorkers win, because every repair is completed, every improvement is made and from Soundview to Bushwick to Sunset Park, New Yorkers are seeing real results because of this effort.”

“NYC Parks may have lost the Municipal Madness final voting, but all New Yorkers won. Parks and our fellow City agencies have completed a whole roster of significant fixes in public spaces citywide,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Whether it’s repairing a playground fence, fixing a drinking fountain or sprucing up a handball court, these improvements make a big difference to the way people enjoy our parks. We’re proud to conduct these types of repairs year-round to improve quality of life for all New Yorkers.”

“From repainted crosswalks to replacing new signs, we know that small fixes still have big impact for New Yorkers who spend just as much time on city streets as they do at home,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “NYC DOT may have been an early out in Municipal Madness this year, but the real win comes from delivering street safety improvements 24/7, 365 days a year to speed up transit and keep New Yorkers moving.”

The Mayor’s Municipal Madness launched in late March, inviting New Yorkers to vote on 16 repairs City agencies committed to completing within the administration’s first 100 days. Every project has been completed. The runner-up, resurfacing a basketball court in Morrisania, began today and will wrap this weekend, while the champion, cleaning up illegal dumping, is being carried out today with the help of the Mayor.

The Mamdani administration takes illegal dumping seriously. Residents who submit tips or video evidence — including a visible license plate — may be eligible for a reward. Reports can be submitted to illegaldumpingtips@dsny.nyc.gov.

Mayor’s Municipal Madness Bracket

Voted Out, Round 1

Repair and repaint playground benches (Dyker Heights)
Install park trail markers (Forest Hills)
Paint a public pool interior (Highbridge)
Repaint a rec center’s hallways (Far Rockaway)
Restore a tennis court with fresh clay (Morningside Heights)
Replace windscreens at a tennis court (Silver Lake)
Paint a faded crosswalk (Jamaica)
Replace a faded street sign (Prince’s Bay)

Voted Out, Round 2

Install dog waste bag dispensers (Sunset Park)
Fix a public water fountain (Lower East Side)
Replace boardwalk planks (South Beach)
Paint a handball wall (East Harlem)

Voted Out, Round 3

Replace missing litter baskets (Bushwick)
Repair playground fencing (Morris Park)

Championship Round (runner-up)

Resurface a basketball court (Morrisania)

Winner!

Clean up illegal dumping (Soundview)

Mayor Mamdani Takes on the Housing Crisis, Cracks Down on Bad Landlords in First 100 Days

On first day in office, revitalized Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and signed Executive Orders to speed up affordable housing

Legal actions are already delivering improvements for residents of more than 6,000 apartments

NEW YORK – In his first 100 days in office, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani took decisive action to confront New York City’s housing crisis, protect tenants and hold negligent landlords accountable.

On his first day in office, Mamdani moved to strengthen tenant protections and accelerate affordable housing development, pairing long-term structural reforms with immediate relief for renters. Legal actions taken so far are already delivering improvements for residents in more than 6,000 apartments across the city.

“We are in a housing crisis, and New Yorkers cannot afford delay or half-measures,” said Mayor Mamdani. “From day one, we’ve stood with tenants, taken on bad landlords, and started to move the machinery of government at the speed this moment demands. We’re enforcing the law, building more housing and investing in the homes New Yorkers already live in – because safe, dignified and affordable housing is every New Yorker’s right.”

“In our first hundred days, we have delivered meaningful immediate relief for thousands of New Yorkers, while laying the groundwork for long-term success. We’re protecting tenants, investing in affordable housing, and ensuring that every neighborhood is a part of the solution to the housing crisis – because New Yorkers deserve a city they can afford,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“In the Mamdani administration, the Mayor of New York is on tenants’ side,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. “In 100 days, we launched Rental Ripoff Hearings across the five boroughs and heard from thousands of New Yorkers about what we can do to be more responsive to their needs. We have already made clear that we will use every tool at our disposal to protect tenants, crack down on persistent bad landlords, and preserve affordable homes. We will continue working to ensure that every New Yorker has a safe and stable home.”

Standing Up to Bad Landlords

On his first day in office, Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 3, revitalizing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, and appointed longtime tenant leader Cea Weaver as director.

The administration has since taken a series of enforcement actions alongside tenants:

Intervened in the bankruptcy case involving a portfolio of buildings owned by Pinnacle Group, securing a $30 million investment and a commitment to complete repairs within six months.
Reached a $2.1 million settlement with A&E Real Estate to correct more than 4,000 violations across 14 buildings.
Won a historic $2.1 court judgment against landlord Seth Miller under the city’s Nuisance Abatement Law, with additional $1,000 daily penalties for ongoing violations.
Conducted on-the-ground outreach to tenants in rent-stabilized apartment buildings in East Harlem to support organizing efforts and ensure tenants understand their rights.

The administration also held the city’s first-ever Rental Ripoff hearings across the five boroughs, collecting more than 1,600 testimonies from tenants, connecting residents to legal and housing resources, and documenting patterns of landlord abuse.

Speeding Up Affordable Housing

Amid historically low vacancy rates and rising rents, Mayor Mamdani has moved to speed up housing production.

Mamdani signed Executive Order 5, establishing the Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) Task Force to cut delays across the housing pipeline, from environmental review through lease-up.

Additional actions include:

Advocated for environmental review reform in Albany and advanced plans to reduce rezoning pre-certificate timelines from two years to under six months, contingent on state action.
Created a library of preapproved plans for ancillary dwelling units (ADUs), allowing homeowners to move quickly to add housing.
Proposed the first-ever Expedited Land Use Review Procedure to shorten approval timelines for an affordable housing project in the Bronx from seven months to 90 days.
Advanced new rules to quickly and transparently implement the Affordable Housing Fast Track.
Launched the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track program to accelerate affordable housing development on City-owned land, and selected the first three sites for affordable rentals and homeownership.
Reactivating the long-stalled “Just Home” supportive housing project for low-income New Yorkers with complex medical needs.

Streamlining these processes will both increase housing supply and reduce costs.

Investing in Housing Quality and Affordability

The Mamdani administration has also announced new investments aimed at improving housing conditions and expanding affordability:

Committed $38.4 million for a modern heating and cooling system at the Beach 41st Street Houses, serving 712 homes.
Reopened applications for the Plus One ADU grant program, offering up to $395,000 and technical assistance to homeowners.
Allocated $650 million in facade repairs to remove sheds at 40 NYCHA developments.
Updated regulations to reduce unnecessary sheds on large housing campuses and extend inspection timelines for newer buildings.
Launched the Back Home Unit within the Office of Housing Recovery Operations to help New Yorkers displaced by fires and other emergencies return home more quickly.
Allocated an additional $662 million in the preliminary budget to repair and improve NYCHA properties.

Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine Announce First-In-The-Nation Municipal “Click to Cancel” Rule to End Subscription Traps

Following Executive Order 10, DCWP’s Proposal Ensures New Yorkers Can Easily Cancel Subscriptions and Protects Against Deceptive Practices

NEW YORK – Today Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine announced a proposed rule to dramatically strengthen New Yorkers’ “Click to Cancel” consumer rights, cracking down on subscription traps and ensuring consumers can easily cancel automatic renewals and continuous service offers.

Following the proposed rule’s publication on April 8, 2026, and opens a 30-day public comment period. If adopted, New York City would become the first municipality in the nation to enforce this level of consumer protection. Executive Order 10, “Fighting Subscription Tricks and Traps,” directs DCWP to take on deceptive subscription practices.

“Subscription traps are just another way that big corporations extract hard-earned money from working people. In our city, we’re drawing a clear line: if you can sign up with a click, you must be able to cancel with one. I commend Commissioner Levine for helping us make New York City a national leader in protecting consumers from these abusive practices,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“If it’s easy to sign up for something, it should be just as easy to cancel,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “Following Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order 10, this proposed rule sends a warning to gyms, apps and other businesses citywide that our agency will not tolerate tricks and traps that rip off New Yorkers.”

Proposed “Click-To-Cancel” Rule

The proposed rule would give DCWP citywide enforcement authority to ensure consumers can easily cancel subscriptions. Businesses that violate the rule would be liable for restitution to harmed consumers and civil penalties, with fines starting at $525.

The rule would require clear disclosures and affirm consumers’ rights when purchasing, enrolling in or canceling subscriptions for services or goods. It applies to any subscription that qualifies as an automatic renewal or continuous service offer. Too often, bad actors force consumers through confusing, time-consuming hurdles to cancel unwanted services — from “free trials” that quietly convert into costly charges to cancellation processes buried in endless steps or unclear instructions. This rule targets those practices directly, requiring straightforward, transparent cancellation mechanisms.

Public Comment Process

DCWP published the proposed rule by in the City Record on April 8, 2026. Under the City Administrative Procedures Act (CAPA), New Yorkers will have 30 days to submit comments, including at a public hearing. After the comment period, DCWP will review feedback before finalizing the rule.

This proposal builds on the agency’s ongoing efforts to address hard-to-cancel memberships, including a PSA video and warning notices issued to hundreds of gyms and health clubs across the city.

Mamdani Administration Celebrates 2026 Spring Cycling Season with Helmet and Bike Light Giveaways

NYC DOT will distribute free bike helmets and lights across the city throughout April, May and June to promote safe cycling across the five boroughs

NYC DOT employees distribute free bike helmets at Manhattan Summer Streets 2023.

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced a series of events offering free bike helmets and lights to New Yorkers, supporting a record number of cyclists on city streets as the weather warms. Helmets will be available for people of all ages, and trained NYC DOT safety educators will ensure each helmet is properly fitted.

“A safe bike ride is a good bike ride,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Safe cycling starts with the right gear, like a well-fit helmet and bike light, and I’m excited to partner with elected officials across New York City to make sure cyclists of all ages have the tools and knowledge they need to move safely through our streets.”

“Getting helmets and bike lights into the hands of New Yorkers is the right way to kick off a summer of cycling in New York City,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “I’m grateful to the many elected officials who came together to help keep our neighbors safe while biking.”

“As the weather warms, both new and experienced cyclists should gear up to ensure every ride is safe and enjoyable,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “More and more New Yorkers are taking up cycling as a healthy, affordable and quick way to get around our city, and we are grateful to partner with local elected officials to provide both the infrastructure and resources to encourage more New Yorkers to go out and ride this spring.”

Each year, NYC DOT partners with community organizations and elected officials to host free helmet-fitting events across the city. Since the program began in 2007, the City has provided more than 350,000 free bicycle helmets to New Yorkers. NYC DOT also hosts bike light giveaways to distribute lights and other safety resources.

Free Helmet Giveaways

April

April 11, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Lynn Schulman at Russell Sage Playground, Queens

April 19, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Christopher Marte at Sol Lain Playground (athletic field), Manhattan

April 25, 2026, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., for Car Free Earth Day at 1466 St Nicholas Avenue (between West 184th Street & 183rd Street), Manhattan

May

May 2, 2026, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Council Member Shaun Abreu at Cathedral of St. John the Divine, Manhattan

May 3, 2026, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., with Council Member Linda Lee at Holy Cow Playground (197-49 Peck Avenue), Queens

May 9, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Vickie Paladino at Crocheron Park (214-41 34th Avenue), Queens

May 16, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Rita C. Joseph at The Parade Grounds of Prospect Park (45 Parade Place), Brooklyn

May 17, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Eric Dinowitz at Spuyten Duyvil Playground, the Bronx

May 30, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Shahana Hanif at Prospect Park (West Drive Entrance), Brooklyn

June

June 5, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Carmen De La Rosa at Anne Loftus Playground (Broadway Avenue & Riverside Drive), Manhattan

June 6, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Sandra Ung at Kissena Park Playground (164th Street & Lithonia), Queens

June 13, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Julie Won at Hunters Point South Park, Queens

June 14, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Gale Brewer at Tecumseh Playground (West 77th Street & Amsterdam Avenue), Manhattan

June 25, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., for NYC Health and Hospitals Bellevue Hospital Helmet fitting at East 27th St & First Avenue, Manhattan

June 27, 2026, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., with Council Member Phil Wong at Juniper Valley Park (80th Street & Juniper Boulevard), Queens

Bike Light Giveaways

May

The Bronx

May 4, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Willis Avenue Bridge bike path & East 135th Street

May 8, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at 2063 University Avenue (across from Bronx Community College)

Queens

May 12, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Skillman Avenue & 43rd Street bike lane

May 15, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Vernon Blvd bike lane (31st Drive & 31st Avenue)

Brooklyn

May 19, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Brooklyn Bridge Promenade (Brooklyn Bridge Boulevard & Tillary Street)

May 22, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Prospect Park Machate Circle bike path (Parkside Ave & Prospect Park Southwest)

Manhattan

May 26, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Hudson River Greenway & West 97th Street

May 28, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Williamsburg Bridge bike path (Delancey Street & Clinton Street)

Staten Island

May 26, 2026, 4 p.m. to 7 p.m., at Great Kills Park (192 Buffalo St)

The schedule will be updated with additional events in the coming weeks. All events are weather permitting and available while supplies last.

Mayor Mamdani Secures $9.3 Million for Workers, Delivers Sweeping Protections in First 100 Days

NEW YORK – Today Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine announced that the City has secured more than $9.3 million in restitution for New Yorkers since January 1, 2026, delivering relief to consumers, workers and small businesses.

In its first 100 days, the Mamdani administration also enacted sweeping consumer protections projected to save New Yorkers tens of millions of dollars annually. These include a nation-leading ban on hotel junk fees, strongest-in-the-nation debt collection rules and new protections for workers’ access to paid time off.

The administration adopted landmark consumer protection rules, filed five major lawsuits and sent nearly 60,000 compliance warnings to businesses citywide during the period. As the cost of living rises and federal protections are rolled back, the Mamdani administration is cracking down on corporations that violate the law and returning money to New Yorkers.

“New Yorkers have lived too long with one set of rules for the wealthy and well-connected, and another for everyone else. In our first 100 days, we have aggressively sought to change that,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We are putting money back in people’s pockets and holding corporations accountable. We will be relentless in using every tool at our disposal to build a fairer economy and a more just New York.”

“This administration has taken on junk fees, won restitution for delivery and fast food workers and held corporate scofflaws accountable,” said Deputy Mayor Julie Su. “At a time when so many have lost faith in the efficacy of government, we are sending a message that government has a critical role to play in delivering for working people and making their lives just a little bit easier every day. We are not a neutral actor in the fight against corruption and exploitation – we have the power and the will to take on these fights, and win.”

“The real, tangible things DCWP has secured for New Yorkers—restitution checks, one less junk fee, free income tax preparation—make a real difference in people’s lives and prove that this agency is a force to be reckoned with,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “We will continue using every rulemaking and enforcement tool at our disposal to prevent New Yorkers from getting cheated and build an economy that works for everyone.”

Key actions in the first 100 days, include:

Targeting junk fees and subscription traps: Following Executive Orders 9 and 10, the administration held its first Junk Fees Task Force meeting in March. DCWP finalized rules banning hidden hotel fees and excessive credit card holds, which some economists estimate will save consumers more than $46 million in 2026. The agency also issued the nation’s strongest consumer protections against predatory debt collection.

Returning money to New Yorkers: The administration reached settlements with two companies that will provide hundreds of fast food and retail workers with more than $1.8 million to resolve Fair Workweek Law violations. This builds on a $5 million settlement DCWP reached with delivery app companies Uber Eats, Fantuan and HungryPanda.

Cracking down on delivery app exploitation: In addition to the $5 million settlement DCWP secured the reinstatement of up to 10,000 workers. The agency sued predatory delivery platform Motoclick and released landmark data showing Uber and DoorDash drove $550 million in lost wages for delivery workers. DCWP also announced a separate settlement with HungryPanda, securing hundreds of thousands of dollars for immigrant-owned restaurants overcharged with junk fees.

Stepping up enforcement: The agency filed major lawsuits against a predatory Bronx tow truck operator, a fraudulent solar panel company and a publicly-traded self-storage company The agency also issued nearly 60,000 compliance notices,, including “Subscription Trap” warnings to nearly 200 gyms, expanded its crackdown on deceptive practices in the tax preparer industry and launched a sweep of the employment agency industry.

Expanding free tax filing: The City’s Free Tax Prep program is projected to save New Yorkers tens of millions of dollars while processing more than 100,000 returns this year. The program offers free in-person and virtual services at more than 140 locations for eligible New Yorkers earning up to $97,000 for families or $68,000 for individuals and couples without dependents.

Mayor Mamdani Announces 2-K Will Be Full-Day and Full-Year

2-K programming will operate from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 260 days a year, meeting critical demand from working families   

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that, beginning this fall, most 2-K seats will operate on a full-day and full-year schedule — a major step toward delivering truly universal child care and confronting New York City’s affordability crisis.

Representing a majority of the first 2,000 2-K seats available this fall — and setting the standard for future expansion — the program will run from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., 260 days a year, replacing the traditional 180-day school calendar. The shift reflects the Mamdani administration’s commitment to aligning early childhood education with the realities facing working families and reducing the need for costly, patchwork child care.

“For many families working nine to five, an eight to three program isn’t going to cut it. For too long, parents have been forced to choose between their livelihood and their children, or to drain their savings just to make it through the workday. That ends now,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Universal child care must meet the real lives of working people. That begins with full-year, full-day 2-K.”

“New York City Public Schools have always been the backbone of our communities, and 2-K is our opportunity to support families even earlier in their child’s life,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “This is a historic moment, and I am proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani to build an early child care and education system that is truly universal, equitable, and tailored around the real needs of the families we serve.”

The 2-K rollout is part of the Mayor’s broader push to guarantee child care for all New Yorkers with children ages six weeks to five years. As part of that effort, families are encouraged to help shape the program’s future by completing the NYC Parent Survey, supported by Robin Hood, at nyc.gov/ParentSurvey.

As the city prepares to welcome its first 2-K families, the Mamdani administration has begun notifying contracted providers that expressed interest in offering seats this fall. Additional providers that responded to the City’s groundbreaking RFI will be notified in the coming weeks.

To ensure flexibility and sustainability, providers may still offer a 2-K program aligned to the school calendar, and full-day and full-year care is not a requirement for a family to accept a seat.

As the Mayor reaches his 100th day in office, the Administration has already taken significant steps towards universal child care. On Day 8, Mayor Mamdani joined Governor Hochul to announce a historic $1.2 billion investment in Pre-K and 3-K. The Mayor subsequently announced an additional 1,000 new 3-K seats to meet demand and expedited the opening of an Upper East Side early childhood education center after the previous administration stalled its launch.

In March, Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul announced the first four communities to receive free 2-K seats. Communities in five school districts will get access to over 2,000 free seats this fall. The Mayor also joined Bronx-born rapper Cardi B to announce a citywide 2-K application jingle. Submissions to the 2-K jingle contest can be made at nyc.gov/jingle. Submissions must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026. Full entry rules and guidelines are available at nyc.gov/jingle.

In addition, the Mayor recently announced a first-of-its-kind child care provider map and online resource hub, designed to make it easier for families to find care and understand the options available to them, and the City’s first free child care program pilot for municipal workers.

Mayor Mamdani Advances Redesign of Flatbush Avenue for Faster Buses, Better Reliability, Improved Safety

Project will add physically protected, center-running bus lanes from Livingston Street to Grand Army Plaza

Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes, take mass transit or allow additional travel time during construction

flatbush

Rendering of Flatbush Avenue at Fourth Avenue following NYC DOT’s transformative redesign of the corridor. Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced reconstruction of Flatbush Avenue will begin in the last week of April, weather permitting, delivering a redesign aimed at dramatically improving bus speeds and commute reliability for 132,000 daily bus riders.

“Time is money, and too often, our city has taken both from working people who rely on our buses,” said Mayor Mamdani. “These center-running bus lanes will give New Yorkers back something precious: time with their families, time at work, time in their communities. Long waits and unreliable service are not inevitable — they are the result of political choices. Today, we are choosing a system that puts bus riders first and builds safer streets for everyone.”

“Delivering this redesign means improving the lives of 132,000 bus riders every single day,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “These are the types of projects that New Yorkers want and deserve, and I look forward to seeing this next phase of reconstruction advance later this month.”

“It can often be as fast to walk as it is to take a bus on Flatbush Avenue — and with over 100,000 riders relying on the bus to get around, that must change. The new Flatbush Avenue offers a bold blueprint to speed up buses and deliver safer streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We look forward to getting to work this spring and we appreciate New Yorkers’ patience as we deliver this critical improvement for Brooklyn.”

Following extensive public outreach, NYC DOT will resume the installation of center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue, which began last fall, between Livingston Street and Grand Army Plaza. The redesign will serve the B41, one of Brooklyn’s busiest bus routes, as well as the B67, B69, B63, B45 and B103.

NYC DOT has seen similar designs deliver strong results elsewhere. On 161st Street in the Bronx, bus speeds increased by up to 43%. On Edward L. Grant Highway, pedestrian and cycling injuries decreased by 29%, with total injuries down 17%.

The Flatbush Avenue project will also include dedicated loading zones, safety improvements and 29,000 square feet of new pedestrian space.

Construction is expected to continue into fall 2026. Drivers are encouraged to use alternative routes, take mass transit or allow additional travel time.

CONSTRUCTION PHASING

NYC DOT will complete the project in four phases, while maintaining general vehicle access. Work will begin with removal of two concrete pedestrian islands, followed by reconstruction of each half of the avenue to preserve two-way traffic on one side at all times.

Phase 1: Removal of two concrete islands at Flatbush Avenue and Atlantic Avenue.
Phase 2: Reconstruction of one side, including removal of existing roadway markings, installation of concrete elements and the addition of temporary markings, bus stops and reroutes.
Phase 3: Reconstruction of the opposite side.
Phase 4: Installation of final markings, signage, signals and street elements, including bike corrals and flexible posts.

NYC DOT will maintain clear signage and protections throughout construction to ensure safe travel for drivers and safe conditions for work crews.

“This is a chance to not just offer faster, more reliable service to bus riders, but to make this street safer and better for everyone who uses it,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “Right now, Flatbush Avenue is a dangerous, traffic-clogged nightmare that doesn’t work for anyone. Brooklynites deserve much better, and this redesign will transform the street into a space that actually meets the needs of the people and businesses that rely on it. Thanks to the Mayor and NYC DOT for their work to move this exciting project forward.”

“My constituents — including me — depend on mass transit to get them where they need to go,” said State Senator Zellnor Myrie. “I’m grateful to the Mayor and DOT for prioritizing faster, better service for bus commuters on Flatbush Avenue.”

“Flatbush Avenue is a lifeline for tens of thousands of Brooklyn residents who depend on the bus every single day, from point A to point B and everywhere in between,” said Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. “I’m looking forward to working with DOT to ensure faster service on Flatbush Avenue. Our riders deserve it.”

“For the more than 130,000 people who rely on Flatbush Avenue every day, this project puts bus riders first with faster, more reliable service and safer streets,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This is what prioritizing everyday New Yorkers who depend on buses looks like. Center-running bus lanes will speed up commutes, improve reliability and make our streets safer. This didn’t happen by accident. Riders and our constituents organized and demanded real transit priority and this project reflects that advocacy. Our office will stay closely engaged through construction to make sure this delivers for our community.”

“Despite buses moving at a crawl, the Flatbush Avenue bus lane has 70,000 daily riders who live, work and shop in Downtown Brooklyn,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “Just imagine how many Brooklynites will hop on the bus on Flatbush after DOT boldly fixes Flatbush with dedicated bus lanes that deliver the faster bus service we deserve.”

“Flatbush bus riders organized and demanded faster service and now the Department of Transportation is delivering major improvements,” said Jolyse Race, Senior Organizer, Riders Alliance. “Bus riders can’t afford to lose precious time to slow traffic. Dedicated lanes down the center of the spine of Brooklyn show us the respect and dignity we deserve. Boarding islands transform the street with demonstrated safety benefits and prove that much better buses are possible all across New York. We look forward to working with the Mamdani administration to save lots of time and improve riders’ lives citywide.”

“Riders on one of Brooklyn’s busiest bus corridors cheer today’s announcement,” said Brian Fritsch, Associate Director, Permanent Citizens Advisory Committee to the MTA (PCAC). “Not only will riders see faster, more reliable trips, but so many in the area will also benefit from a far safer Flatbush Ave. Congratulations to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn on taking action to deliver this critical project to New Yorkers.”

“We’re thrilled that the Flatbush Avenue bus project is continuing to move forward, speeding up commutes for 132,000 daily riders,” said Elizabeth Adams, Deputy Executive Director for Public Affairs, Transportation Alternatives. “With center-running lanes, concrete bus boarding islands and brand-new signals, this bus lane will move New Yorkers more efficiently and safely — and new loading zones and increased pedestrian space will ensure clear bus lanes and an easier walk to the bus stop. We’re excited to ride a faster B41 bus, and we hope to complement this project with a new and improved Grand Army Plaza.”

“Flatbush Avenue is one of the busiest corridors in Brooklyn, with over 100k New Yorkers using it to get to school and work every day,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director, Open Plans. “As we look to reduce driving in the city, it’s critical that people have fast and reliable ways to get around. Center-running bus lanes like this are a critical step on the path towards Bus Rapid Transit. We commend the Mamdani administration for prioritizing bus riders and smart street design in service of a livable city.”

“The implementation of center-running bus lanes on Flatbush Avenue will be a game-changer for tens of thousands of riders who rely every day on the B41 and other Flatbush bus routes to get where they need to go,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director, StreetsPAC. “For too long, New Yorkers who count on the bus have been treated like second-class citizens, but this new design configuration will significantly upgrade daily commutes. We applaud Mayor Mamdani for taking this important step to deliver on his promise of faster buses.”

Mayor Mamdani, Senator Schumer, Worker's Justice Project Announce Nation's First Deliverista Hub

New York City, home to 80,000 delivery workers, unveils worker-designed rest and e-bike charging hub

NEW YORK—Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Sen. Chuck Schumer and the Worker’s Justice Project announced the installation of the City Hall Park Deliverista Hub, the first worker-designed rest and e-bike charging hub for delivery workers in the United States.

The City Hall Park Deliverista Hub will provide integrated services for the city’s 80,000 app-based delivery workers, with separate modules for rest, bike repair and education and support services. Workers can access guidance on street safety, safe e-bike operation, wage theft and app deactivations. External battery charging cabinets at the rear of the hub will provide 24/7 app-based access to safe e-bike charging for delivery workers and the public. The hub will be staffed by the Worker’s Justice Project five days per week and will also be open to the public.

“Delivery workers keep this city running — through the cold, the rain and every storm that comes our way,” said Mayor Mamdani. “They make it possible for families across all five boroughs to sit down to a warm meal or get the groceries they need right on time. After long hours on the street, workers deserve a place to rest, access resources, charge their e-bike batteries safely and be in community. This space provides all that and more. In opening the Deliverista Hub, we’re building a dedicated place for the City to take care of its own.”   

“For years, I’ve worked to bring critical infrastructure to the tens of thousands of app-based delivery workers who serve our city day and night,” said Senator Schumer. “I’m proud to have secured $1 million in federal funding for this first-of-its-kind deliverista hub, which will improve access to e-bike charging, shelter, bike repair and much more. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Ligia Guallpa of Worker’s Justice Project, Gustavo Ajche of Los Deliveristas Unidos, Mayor Mamdani, and many others, this hub is now a reality.”

“Delivery workers have spent years powering this city while app companies have failed to provide even the most basic infrastructure needed to work safely and with dignity. This hub is the result of workers organizing, leading and building what companies would not. We are grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Senator Schumer for supporting worker-led innovation and helping turn this vision into reality. As the first deliverista hub of its kind in the nation, it marks a new beginning — giving immigrant workers the power to transform their industry and positioning them as leaders at the forefront of reshaping the gig economy, creating safer streets and advancing New York City’s transition to a zero-emission delivery system,” said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of Worker‘s Justice Project & Co-Founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos.

“At NYC Parks, we are always looking at how our public spaces can better serve New Yorkers, including the essential workers, commuters and recreational bikers who rely on them every day,” said NYC Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This hub transforms an underused space into a vital resource for deliveristas, a place to take a break, recharge, access support and make basic bike repairs. It is a great example of how thoughtful design can meet real community needs.”

“Every worker deserves a safe, welcoming workplace,” said NYC Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn. “NYC DOT is proud to partner in the construction of this first-of-its-kind hub as we work to build safer streets, create more public e-battery charging options and hold app companies accountable for unsafe practices.”

“For years, we’ve been working on the streets without the most basic support — generating billions of dollars for app companies that exploit us in return and treat us as disposable. No matter the conditions — in the cold and snow, in heat and smoke, or rain and floods, with nowhere to rest and few places to charge safely — we keep this city running. Far too many of us have been injured on the job, with no support or protections from our employers. This hub started as an idea from workers who knew things had to change — and who organized to make that change real. It’s not just about what this space provides today, but what it makes possible tomorrow: a future where delivery workers are organized, leading and transforming our industry into something safer, more innovative and more just,” said Gustavo Ajche, delivery worker and Co-Founder of Los Deliveristas Unidos.

“The Deliverista Hub represents a transformative new typology of public infrastructure. Much like the first gas stations that emerged in early 20th century America, this mobility hub introduces a new kind of service station — one purpose-built for the e-mobility era — offering safe battery charging, free bike tune-ups and a welcoming, human-centered space for delivery workers and riders alike,” said J. Manuel Mansylla, Principal, FANTÁSTICA, designer of the hub. “At a time when cities are being challenged from all sides — by extreme climate events, global pandemics and rapidly shifting technologies and commuting patterns — the pace of infrastructure adaptation simply isn’t keeping up. A customizable, prefab modular approach offers a faster, more flexible path forward, enabling cities to quickly scale a network that truly supports the deliveristas and e-bike riders who keep New York moving every day.”

“Delivery workers need more than recognition, and more than a charged battery. They need real infrastructure, safe places to rest and practical solutions that support them throughout their workday,” said Thomas Duscha, CEO of Swobbee.

Located at 249 Broadway, the City Hall Park Deliverista Hub was developed and built through the organizing of delivery workers alongside the Workers’ Justice Project. The facility directly addresses safety risks in one of the city’s most dangerous jobs, where one in five workers is injured on the job and the fatality rate is five times that of construction. NYC Parks provided the location at the site of a former newsstand near City Hall Park, and NYC DOT provided bike parking and a street access zone on Broadway near City Hall.

The hub was designed by FANTÁSTICA, an urban design and street furniture company focused on sustainability and smart infrastructure, and built by Boyce Technologies, a local engineering and fabrication firm that has produced public infrastructure for the MTA and other New York City and State agencies.

The hub’s development is part of the City’s commitment to improving worker conditions and advancing safe, sustainable e-bike delivery. Funding was provided by the Office of Sen. Schumer through a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The project will serve as a model for future citywide infrastructure for New York City’s rapidly growing delivery workforce.

Mayor Mamdani Launches Child Care Provider Permitting Port

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the launch of a new child care center provider permitting portal, replacing a fragmented and outdated system with a streamlined, fully online process that makes it simpler and easier to open child care centers across New York City.

The new portal consolidates application requirements, simplifies communication with the Health Department and provides real-time updates on application status — removing barriers that have long made it difficult for providers to open their doors. Developed in close collaboration with child care providers, the system is a key step toward delivering universal child care for both families and the providers who serve them.

“Until now, opening a child care center meant navigating a disjointed maze of paperwork and appointments. Today, we’re cutting through that red tape. We’re making it easier to open new child care centers, expand access to care and support the providers who are essential to this work — all while prioritizing the protections that keep our kids safe,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Our child care providers are our first partners in the work to roll out universal child care – common-sense tools like this prioritize their needs, making our city’s child care system stronger for all.”

“The health and safety of our youngest New Yorkers starts with ensuring child care providers have the support they need to succeed,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “With this new, modern digital portal, we are removing administrative hurdles that can delay the opening of high-quality centers. Getting more kids into free, safe, regulated environments faster will enable more New York City families to thrive.”

“New York City’s efforts to use technology to drive meaningful change should always center around the New Yorkers using these services,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Today’s announcement is a direct result of the City engaging with the voices and experiences of our child care providers to deliver the simplified permitting solution they deserve. Through this modernized portal, our providers will be empowered to spend more time focusing on what matters most: caring for our kids.”

Previously, applicants were required to submit documents to the NYC Health Department, often via dispersed emails, with no clear way to track progress, coordinate inspections or receive timely updates.

The new system allows applicants to:

Complete applications and upload documents online, eliminating the need for multiple paper forms and email attachments.
Centralize communication with the Health Department, reducing the need for separate emails and phone calls.
Schedule required inspections with a single online interface.
Track application status and next steps in real time.

The portal was developed in direct response to provider feedback and tested by child care providers across the city. The administration will continue to refine and expand the platform based on ongoing input from providers.

Today’s announcement builds on the Mamdani administration’s broader commitment to universal child care. With support from Governor Kathy Hochul, the City will launch an initial 2,000 2-K seats this fall. Earlier this month, Mayor Mamdani announced more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in high-demand neighborhoods and access to free 2-K programs in four communities across the city. The City will continue growing 3-K capacity for fall 2026 through partnerships with community- and home-based providers.

Mayor Mamdani Takes Bold, Unapologetic Actions to Protect New Yorkers in First 100 Days

From doubling down on Sanctuary City policies to committing firmly to closing Rikers, Mamdani started his administration with the most vulnerable in mind

NEW YORK — In his first 100 days in office, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani moved swiftly to deliver on his promise to protect New Yorkers, advancing policies centered on health, safety, and dignity — especially for those most often left behind.

“Protecting New Yorkers demands action rooted in justice, equity and care,” said New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “In our first 100 days, we took concrete steps to increase public health and safety, protect vulnerable and historically disenfranchised communities, and reaffirm New York as a place of refuge and possibility.”

Advancing True Public Safety

Mayor Mamdani advanced a comprehensive approach to public safety — one that prioritizes prevention, transparency and fairness. Actions include:

Driving crime to historically low levels in the first three months, including record-low incidents of murder, shootings, and burglaries
Appointing the City’s first Deputy Mayor for Community Safety and creating the first-ever Office of Community Safety
Codifying the release of body-worn camera footage within 30 days of critical incidents, strengthening accountability
Ending criminal enforcement for low-level traffic offenses involving e-bike riders and cyclists

Protecting Immigrant New Yorkers

In the face of escalating federal threats, the Mamdani administration acted decisively to defend immigrant communities and uphold New York’s legacy as a sanctuary city. Actions include:

Launching a Know Your Rights campaign in 10 languages and distributing 30,000 flyers through houses of worship
Signing Executive Order 13 to reinforce sanctuary protections by:
- Prohibiting ICE from entering City properties — including schools, shelters, and hospitals — without a judicial warrant
- Strengthening data privacy protections
- Ordering agency audits and creating a crisis-response task force

Reforming the Corrections System

The Mamdani Administration committed to closing Rikers Island while advancing immediate reforms to ensure humane conditions for those in custody and those who work in the system. Actions include:

Ordering full compliance with the City’s ban on solitary confinement and Board of Correction minimum standards
Appointing Stanley Richards as Department of Correction commissioner, the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the department
Opening the first Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue, expanding access to specialized care for the most clinically vulnerable at Rikers Island.

Responding to Severe Winter Storms

During one of the harshest winters in recent years, the administration mobilized a large-scale response to keep New Yorkers safe and the city operational. Actions include:

Expanding NotifyNYC to nearly 1.5 million subscribers
Implementing the first-ever 24-hour Code Blue, opening new warming centers, deploying new warming buses and transitioning approximately 2,000 placements of unsheltered New Yorkers into shelter between January 19 and March 4

Keeping New Yorkers Healthy

The Mamdani Administration prioritized access to care and services that allow all New Yorkers to live with dignity. Actions include:

Closing the dilapidated 30th Street Shelter, while maintaining overall shelter capacity
Opening the City’s first-ever pet inclusive family shelter at Magnolia Gardens and a new HELP Women’s Intake Shelter in East New York
Investing $20 million in perinatal and early childhood mental health through the Strong Foundations Initiative
Launching a $1 million public campaign to promote vaccinations
Expanding overdose prevention services and opening new youth health clinics in Brooklyn and Queens

Protecting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers

Mayor Mamdani established the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs to lead policies and programs supporting LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

He appointed civil rights attorney Taylor Brown — the first openly transgender person to lead a New York City agency — to head the office, marking a historic step toward inclusive leadership.

Mamdani Administration Acts to Protect Immigrant Restaurant Owners From Delivery App Junk Fees

Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine Secure Restitution for More Than 380 NYC Businesses Overcharged by HungryPanda  

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine announced a settlement of more than $875,000 with HungryPanda to resolve violations of the City’s Third-Party Food Delivery Service Laws.

The investigation found HungryPanda violated New York City’s Fee Cap Law, in some cases charging immigrant-owned restaurants thousands of dollars in illegal junk fees. The action marks the first time DCWP has enforced the law against a delivery app company for harming business owners.

“Too many neighborhood restaurants are already navigating high costs and razor-thin margins,” said Mayor Mamdani. “They should not also have to contend with hidden, illegal fees from the apps they rely on to reach customers. This settlement returns money to the businesses that were overcharged and makes clear that New York City will enforce the law to protect small business owners.”

“HungryPanda counted on these restaurant owners being too small and too busy to fight back,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “They were wrong. This settlement puts money back in the pockets of hundreds of immigrant-owned businesses, and it’s a clear message to every platform in this city: we are watching the fine print.”

“Restaurants are the heart of every New York City neighborhood, bringing people together, keeping us fed and creating a thriving economy,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “The Fee Cap Law was enacted to protect these small businesses from predatory fees that make operating in New York City difficult. This settlement lets it be known that DCWP will not allow HungryPanda, or any other delivery app for that matter, to rip off consumers, workers, or small businesses.”

“New York City’s small restaurants—many of them immigrant-owned—define our neighborhoods and fuel our local economy. When delivery apps break the law and siphon off hard-earned revenue through illegal fees, it’s not just unfair—it undermines these businesses and the communities they serve. I commend Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine for stepping in, enforcing the law and delivering real relief to hundreds of small businesses,” said Assembly Member Robert Carroll. “This enforcement action sends a clear message: New York will stand up for small businesses, enforce the law and work to build a local economy that works for all. I’m proud to stand with this administration and DCWP as we continue fighting to protect restaurants, workers and consumers across our city. Today we made it a little easier for everyone’s favorite neighborhood restaurant to stay in business.”

“It is incumbent on all of us in government to support those small businesses and protect them. And these large corporations are taking advantage of small businesses,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “I really applaud the effort of the DCWP team to bring this case, the fight that we’re doing over junk fees across our city sends a clear message that if you take advantage of small businesses, you will be held accountable.”

“We are putting a warning to all delivery apps that we will not be defrauded, we will catch you, and we will make sure that you pay,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “That accountability in the city is front and center, and anyone trying to hurt our small businesses, our workers, will be in trouble.”  

HungryPanda, a third-party delivery platform used predominantly in New York’s Asian immigrant communities, will pay more than $580,000 in restitution to more than 380 restaurants citywide, along with more than $294,000 in civil penalties and fees.

DCWP found the company used a range of tactics to impose unlawful charges, including bundling multiple fees into a single line item, frequently relabeling fees and mischaracterizing illegal overcharges as “promotion deductions.”

Under the settlement, HungryPanda must comply with the Fee Cap Law, provide clear fee disclosures to restaurants, implement internal compliance policies and training and submit annual certifications attesting to compliance.

DCWP enforces New York City’s Third-Party Food Delivery Service Laws, which cap fees charged by delivery apps and protect restaurant owners. The caps are:

15% for delivery services

5% for basic services, including order processing and platform listing 20% for enhanced services (only if a basic service is offered at or below 5%)

3% for electronic payment processing (with limited exceptions if higher costs are documented)

Earlier this year, HungryPanda was part of a $5 million settlement alongside Uber Eats and Fantuan that secured restitution, penalties and damages for more than 49,000 delivery workers for violations of the City’s Minimum Pay Rate.

This case was handled by DCWP staff counsel under the supervision of senior agency leadership.

From Potholes to Historic Winter Storms, Mayor Mamdani Tackles City’s Biggest — and Smallest — Problems in First 100 Days

City filled 100,000 potholes in 100 days, upgraded hundreds of catch basins and brought rat sightings down 30%

During historic winter, City melted 783 million pounds of snow; spread 1 billion pounds of salt; cleared 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops and 29,000 fire hydrants; removed hundreds of downed trees

Mayor advances bold, progressive vision for safer streets that includes restarting stalled bike and bus lane projects and lowering speed limits outside school zones

NEW YORK — From repairing pesky potholes to taking on a top-ten snowstorm, Mayor Mamdani’s administration has made one thing clear in its first 100 days: there is no problem too big or too small for City government to solve.

Under Mayor Mamdani, the City’s operational agencies — including the Department of Transportation, Department of Design and Construction and Department of Sanitation — have accelerated both rapid-response fixes and transformational projects. The focus is simple: faster, safer commutes; stronger emergency response; and a public realm that works for every New Yorker.

“There is no pothole too far, no trash pile too high and no problem too big or too small for City government to address. In our first hundred days, we’ve shown what it looks like when government delivers: cleaner streets, repaired roads and public spaces that every New Yorker can enjoy,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The best part is the work has just begun. We are building a city where rest, movement, play and love are not luxuries but guarantees.”

“This work is anchored in execution,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “Whether addressing everyday frustrations like slow buses or rising to meet extraordinary challenges like a historic snowstorm, our agencies will move deftly to keep our city running and make it better every day.”

FASTER, SAFER COMMUTES

Mayor Mamdani wasted no time delivering safer streets, faster buses and more reliable commutes for New Yorkers.

At times, he took matters into his own hands.

In his first week in office, Mayor Mamdani was boots on the ground with Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) crews delivering a small-but-mighty fix for cyclists everywhere: repairing the dangerous Williamsburg Bridge bump.

Today, the Mayor picked up a shovel again — this time on Staten Island — to fill the City’s 100,000th pothole, the highest number of potholes filled in the first 100 days of the calendar year in 11 years, as part of an aggressive repair campaign that has deployed 80 crews across multiple citywide blitzes, each filling a week’s worth of potholes in a single day.

Since day one, the administration has restarted major projects that had stalled for years, including:

McGuinness Boulevard redesign in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.

31st Street redesign in Astoria, Queens, one of the borough’s most dangerous corridors.

Madison Avenue double bus lane extension in Manhattan.

Fordham Road Bus Lane in the Bronx’s busiest bus corridor.

Ashland Place Bike Lane on a Brooklyn block known as ‘Crashland.’

Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush Bike Lanes.

Brooklyn and Kingston Ave Bike Lanes.

The administration is also advancing new streets projects by:

Launching engagement on the next phase of Manhattan’s famously successful 14th Street.

Breaking ground on improved Bronx crosstown bus service near Yankee Stadium.

Preparing for the World Cup with major street upgrades, including:

Ninth Avenue redesign in Hell’s Kitchen.

Expanded bike lanes and pedestrian spaces from SoHo and the East Village to Union Square.

A new, dedicated bike connection to the Brooklyn Bridge’s Manhattan entrance.

To tackle street safety head on, Mayor Mamdani:

Announced the largest Sammy’s Law expansion in City history, committing to 15 mph Slow Zones at every eligible school.

Activated red light cameras — which reduce red-light running by 73%, T-bone crashes by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% — at 250 intersections, with plans to reach all 600 intersections by year’s end.

Ended criminal enforcement for minor traffic offenses for cyclists and e-bike riders, ensuring these violations are addressed through the same civil summons process as motorists, while launching comprehensive safety training for deliver workers.

STRONGER EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Mayor Mamdani’s first 100 days included the coldest feels-like temperature in two decades and a top-ten snowstorm.

During January’s cold snap, Mayor Mamdani released a video PSA urging New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC. The response was immediate: 51,000 new subscribers joined in just one week, with more than 142,000 new subscribers so far this year — surpassing nearly all of 2025’s growth in under 100 days.

Through the winter emergencies, Mayor Mamdani mobilized the City at every level:

Coordinated dozens of agencies during the first-ever 24-hour Enhanced Code Blue.

Opened new warming shelters, deployed warming buses and launched the City’s first in-person activation of the Strengthening Communities partner network.

Sent community partners out across all five boroughs to distribute more than 1,300 flyers in bodegas, delis, fast food restaurants and small businesses encouraging New Yorkers to call 311 for those in need.

Deployed 6,600 sanitation workers for 41 days of 12-hour shifts clearing snow and salting streets and sidewalks.

Expanded the Emergency Snow Shoveler program from 1,500 to more than 7,800 participants and activated Emergency Snow Shovelers earlier than ever before, clearing out snow even before snowfall ended.

The administration also introduced new tools to improve response, including a geotagged dashboard to track snow clearance at unsheltered bus stops.

The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) complemented these efforts by engaging more than 53,000 New Yorkers in fire safety education and installing 4,600 smoke alarms in more than 1,300 homes.

By the end of the winter, the City had:

Melted 783 million pounds of snow.

Spread 1 billion pounds of salt.

Cleared 135,000 crosswalks, 34,000 bus stops and 29,000 fire hydrants.

Removed hundreds of downed trees.

New York City now heads into the rainy season. To begin to prepare the city, the Mamdani administration is investing $108 million to replace and upgrade more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade and has already completed more than 350 catch basin upgrades to improve drainage and street safety.

A PUBLIC REALM THAT WORKS FOR EVERY NEW YORKER

The Mamdani administration is reimagining public spaces as essential infrastructure — expanding access, investing in long-neglected neighborhoods and opening civic assets to all.

In his first 100 days, the Mayor:

Launched a new effort to install public bathrooms at a lower cost and on a faster timeline, beginning with a new public restroom in West Harlem.

Mayor Mamdani Releases Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan and True Cost of Living Measure

Mayor fulfills obligation left unmet by previous administration and urges New Yorkers to share feedback

True Cost of Living report shows 62% of New Yorkers do not meet the true cost of living — a crisis falling hardest on communities of color

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani today released the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan (REP) and the inaugural NYC True Cost of Living (TCOL) Measure, two reports that together establish a new framework for how New York City measures affordability, understands inequity and plans for a more equitable future.

The Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan is the first governmentwide racial equity framework in the city’s history, outlining data-driven agency goals, strategies and indicators to address long-standing disparities across public policy, services and practices. The True Cost of Living Measure, spearheaded by the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice in collaboration with the Urban Institute and the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, provides a clear picture of what New Yorkers need to meet essential needs and achieve foundational economic security.

Both reports were mandated by successful voter referendums in 2022. You can download and review the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan and the True Cost of Living Measure.

Together, the two reports make clear that New York City’s affordability crisis is deeply tied to its history of racial inequity. Patterns of disinvestment, exclusion from homeownership, unequal access to health care and employment and concentrated environmental burdens have shaped who has resources, who faces the greatest costs and who remains most economically insecure today.

“The True Cost of Living Measure offers an honest account of what it actually costs to live in this city — and who is being left behind. It shows that this is not a crisis affecting a small minority of New Yorkers. It is a crisis touching the vast majority of our city, in every borough and every neighborhood,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “But we know this crisis is not felt equally. Black and Latino New Yorkers — who have been pushed out of this city for decades — are bearing the brunt. The Preliminary Racial Equity Plan is where we begin to reverse that pattern. These reports make one thing clear: we cannot tackle systemic racial inequity without confronting the affordability crisis head-on, and we cannot solve the cost-of-living crisis without dismantling systemic racial inequity.”

“Ensuring that New Yorkers can afford the actual costs of living and raising a family and that workers get a fair shot is at the center of our economic justice agenda. We also know that there cannot be true economic justice without dismantling structural racism and inequity,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “I’m proud to stand with Mayor Mamdani as we roll out these reports today. But the true impact of these reports will be felt far beyond the walls of this building. Our success will be measured by the transformation of the lives of everyday New Yorkers across the five boroughs.”

“Inequity has been embedded in the foundation of our city and nation since their inception; dismantling it requires a collective effort,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Afua Atta-Mensah. “The NYC Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan reflects the city’s commitment to systemic transformation—turning our values into actions. From housing and healthcare to education and infrastructure, every agency plays a pivotal role in reshaping how government serves New Yorkers. This plan outlines measurable goals and actionable strategies to advance racial equity, promote justice and create lasting change.”

“Our students are the youngest New Yorkers, and it is critical that we continue to examine how their lives and futures will be affected by racial inequities,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “When families cannot meet the true cost of living, the impact shows up in our classrooms. That is why with programs like Universal 3K/Pre-K, and our career readiness programs, we can provide students and their families with opportunities to be supported in our school system and beyond.”

“This plan delivers on a key priority of the Mamdani administration and reflects the voices of those who have called for its release. Inequities in access to food, health care, housing, education and economic opportunity persist in New York City, disproportionately affecting the health of communities of color,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “This marks the beginning of a new chapter in our history, as we chart a path toward building a city that reflects equity, justice and opportunity for all.”

“Mayor Mamdani’s preliminary racial equity plan is a major step in our mission to not only make New York a more just and equitable city for all, but a truly affordable one,” said SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya. “At SBS, we are proud leaders in equity. Our Jobs NYC Hiring Halls are held in communities that face historically high unemployment, and our new NYC Future Fund delivers flexible loans designed to meet the unique challenges faced by seasonal small businesses. The new racial equity plan expands our ability to help even more New Yorkers, and address longstanding disparities in economic opportunity more effectively.”

“The Racial Equity Plan and the True Cost of Living Measure reveal the deep inequalities that continue to impact the affordability and livability of our city,” said Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD) Commissioner Sandra Escamilla Davies. “While these findings underscore real challenges, they help us better understand what New Yorkers need to thrive and guide us in directing resources to the communities that need them most. At DYCD, we are committed to turning this insight into meaningful, targeted investments for young people, families and neighborhoods across the five boroughs.”

“DOB is proud to support this effort, a framework that voters decisively called into fruition to hold city government accountable for advancing racial equity and elevating community voices in decision making. The True Cost of Living Measure makes clear that most New Yorkers cannot afford to live in our city without support, with housing costs driving the burden for many families across the five boroughs,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “Under the Mayor’s leadership, we are working to make it easier to build housing, build it safely, build it efficiently and bring down costs so we can create the accessible and affordable city New Yorkers deserve. This framework means that our mission to safeguard buildings, protect workers and the public and make our city safer will be carried out in a way that serves all communities.”

“In 2022, New Yorkers mandated that our government see them and their financial struggles when they voted overwhelmingly for the City to annually calculate the true cost of living. They understood that meaningful solutions to the cost-of-living crisis are only possible when government officials can see and understand the myriad ways New Yorkers of all ages and family types struggle to live in our city,” said Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO, FPWA, and former Chair, New York City Racial Justice Commission. “We were made to wait four years, but in the first 100 days of the Mamdani Administration, the Mayor is releasing the measure and findings, and now it’s up to policymakers, advocates and every day New Yorkers to dig into the data and use it to inform and address affordability in the city.”

“Our continued work to ensure every New Yorker is fed, cared for, has access to learning and feels safe is strengthened by the release of the first government-wide Racial Equity Plan,” said Grace C. Bonilla, President and CEO, United Way of New York City. “For years, communities across our city have been calling for this level of transparency, accountability and alignment — and this plan reflects a long-overdue step toward meeting that moment. At a time when threats to SNAP and Medicaid risk deepening inequities, we know those impacts will fall hardest on communities of color. It is our collective responsibility to act with urgency, and we applaud Mayor Mamdani for moving this work forward.”

The Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan

The Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan marks the first time any New York City administration has required major city agencies to examine their work through a racial equity lens and identify and eliminate disparities.

The plan sets goals across seven domains: Children, Youth, Older Adults and Families; Economy; Housing and Preservation; Infrastructure and Environment; Health and Wellbeing; Community Safety, Rights and Accountability; and Good Governance and Inclusive Decision-Making.

From the redlining that locked generations of Black and immigrant New Yorkers out of homeownership to highway construction that tore through Bronx communities in the 1950s and 1960s, the report confronts the City’s role in creating structural inequities.

Context and Foundational data from the Preliminary Plan:

45 City agencies participated in the first governmentwide racial equity planning process.
The median household net worth of white New Yorkers is approximately $276,900 — nearly 15 times greater than that of Black New Yorkers, at $18,870.
Black New Yorkers have the lowest life expectancy of any racial or ethnic group at 76.1 years, compared with 81.8 years for white New Yorkers.
The plan proposes more than 200 agency-level short, medium and long-term goals, over 800 strategies for implementation, and 600 indicators to track and report progress.

Key Goals from the Preliminary Racial Equity Plan:

Economic Opportunity: Expand access to capital for underserved businesses, connect New Yorkers in high-unemployment communities to quality jobs, and help young people build generational wealth.
Housing: Apply a racial equity framework to all new housing proposals to ensure fair geographic investment.
Health: Ensure that every New Yorker has access to a primary care physician by 2034 and reduce truck-related pollutants in communities of color that are disproportionately affected by warehousing activity.

For the next 30 days, the Mamdani administration will gather public feedback before releasing a Final Citywide Racial Equity Plan. Public feedback can be shared at https://bit.ly/MOERJRacialEquity. In addition, the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), an independent accountability partner on the Racial Equity Plan, will share upcoming engagement opportunities (https://www.nyc.gov/core).

The True Cost of Living Measure

The True Cost of Living Measure calculates what families must earn to meet essential needs across eight categories: housing, food, health care, child care, transportation, taxes, savings and other essentials.

Unlike the federal poverty line, the TCOL reflects the realities of New York City’s economy and accounts for differences in family size, composition and location. The inaugural report uses 2022 data as a baseline for future tracking.

Key Findings:

62% of New Yorkers — 5.04 million people — do not meet their true cost of living, compared with roughly 18% to 20% identified as poor under traditional measures.
The average annual resource gap is $39,603 per family.
The median annual costs for a family with children are $159,197 to achieve economic security but median resources are $124,007 — a gap of more than $35,000.
73% of children in New York City — 1.2 million — live in families that don’t meet their cost of living; in the Bronx, that figure rises to 87%.
New Yorkers with self-reported disabilities face the highest burden, with 92% unable to meet their cost of living and an average resource gap of $76,178.
Hispanic New Yorkers face the highest TCOL rate at 77.6%, followed by Black New Yorkers at 65.6% and Asian and Pacific Islander New Yorkers at 63.3%, compared with 43.7% for white New Yorkers. Intraborough racial disparities are starkest in Manhattan, where Hispanic residents face a TCOL rate of 85.3 percent and Black residents a rate of 80% compared to 32.9 percent for white residents.
Approximately 3.58 million New Yorkers earn above the federal poverty line but still don’t meet their cost of living — a “missing middle” often largely invisible in traditional poverty measures.
Government supports, including stabilized housing, Universal Pre-K/3-K, SNAP and tax credits, reduce the overall NYC TCOL rate by about 5 percentage points.

Today’s releases come as new research underscores the urgency of the crisis. Columbia University’s Poverty Tracker, published this winter in partnership with Robin Hood, found that nearly 2.2 million people, including 450,000 children, lived in poverty in 2024 — the highest level in the study’s 10-year history, with widening racial disparities. Asian and Latino New Yorkers were more than twice as likely to live in poverty as white New Yorkers, and Black New Yorkers faced similarly elevated rates.

The affordability crisis in New York City extends far beyond those counted in official poverty statistics. The TCOL will be updated annually to provide a clear, current accounting of what it costs to live here with dignity.

The NYC True Cost of Living Measure was developed in collaboration with the Urban Institute using their Analysis of Transfers, Taxes, and Income Security (ATTIS) microsimulation model based on American Community Survey data. The Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan was developed by the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice in collaboration with 45 city agencies.

Mayor Mamdani Announces Opening of First-of-its-Kind Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit as Part of Plan to Close Rikers Island

New York — Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the opening of the City’s first Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue — a major step towards the Mamdani Administration’s commitment to closing Rikers Island.

The 104-bed unit will serve people in custody with complex medical needs by transferring the most clinically vulnerable detainees from Rikers Island into a therapeutic setting with closer access to specialty care. It is the first of three planned Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units across the city.

The Bellevue site represents a fundamental shift in how New York City delivers care to incarcerated people — moving away from a system defined by delays towards one rooted in dignity, access and prevention.

“Opening this new clinical facility at Bellevue Hospital is how we begin to close Rikers Island — not with promises, but with action,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, people with serious medical needs have been left to suffer in a system that was never designed to care for them. Today, we are building something different: a system that delivers real care, treats people with dignity and makes our city safer for everyone—incarcerated people, corrections officers and all New Yorkers.”

“Today’s announcement represents an important step forward on the journey to closing Rikers,” said First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan. “The Mamdani Administration is sending a clear message to New Yorkers that we will govern with compassion, transparency and a willingness to tackle our city’s most complex issues”

“The Mamdani Administration takes its responsibility to protect the health and well being of every New Yorker seriously. Medical care has been difficult to access for those in the correctional system, particularly those at Rikers Island. That ends now,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today, our city takes a monumental step toward righting historical wrongs by opening the first of three Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units that will treat more quickly and humanely individuals with the most acute medical conditions currently detained at Rikers. This is a reaffirmation of Mayor Mamdani’s commitments to reimagine correctional care and provide healthy, dignified spaces to every person in New York City.”

“When people come into our care, we must use every resource available to us to meet their individual needs with compassion, innovation, and effective support,” said Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Providing high-quality healthcare is among the most essential services we can offer. While this facility may be small, its impact will extend far beyond its walls, helping to shape a new model of correctional care that will open new possibilities for the future.”

“For over a decade, NYC Health + Hospitals has been proud to serve patients in the city’s correctional settings, and today marks a new step forward in that care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “The Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit at NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue will make it easier for patients with serous medical conditions to access specialty care. This project has been years in the making, and I want to thank the many people who made it possible, including Senior Vice President for Correctional Health Services Dr. Patsy Yang and our colleagues at the NYC Department of Corrections.”

“The opening of the Outposted Therapeutic Housing unit at Bellevue Hospital is a phenomenal achievement for New York City, as it marks another first in carceral care,” said Senior Vice President for NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services Dr. Patsy Yang. “We at CHS have long envisioned the Outposted units as a better way to care for our most medically involved patients. The units are another milestone in how we see and treat people in a more respectful and decent way. On behalf of our patients and of all those who care for and care about them, we thank Dr. Katz, Commissioner Stanley Richards, and Mayor Mamdani for making this vision a reality.”

This unit is finally opening after years of delays, reflecting a renewed focus on delivering long-promised improvements to the City’s correctional health system. It will serve patients with serious conditions such as cancer and congestive heart failure who do not require hospitalization but face heightened risks in a traditional jail setting.

Located on the Bellevue hospital campus, the unit provides direct access to a full range of specialty services, including oncology, cardiology and neurology. Correctional Health Services (CHS) clinicians will deliver care on-site, with enhanced monitoring and support in a therapeutic environment designed to improve health outcomes.

CHS will remain the primary provider of clinical care, working in close coordination with Bellevue specialists. The NYC Department of Correction (DOC) will provide security, custody management, programming and other services. The unit meets all standards set by the NYC Board of Correction and the New York State Commission of Correction.

The Mamdani Administration will also open additional Outposted Therapeutic Housing Units at NYC Health+ Hospitals/Woodhull and North Central Bronx (NCB), with 144 and 92 beds, respectively. Those sites will primarily serve CHS patients with significant mental health needs, further expanding access to care and advancing the City’s plan to close Rikers Island for good.

Mayor Mamdani Launches Office of Curb Management at NYC DOT to Modernize Curb Space and Improve Street Safety

Mamdani administration takes holistic approach to organizing curb space

New office will expand loading zones, support deliveries, reduce unsafe parking behavior and better manage competing demands — from outdoor dining to waste containerization

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the creation of a new Office of Curb Management within NYC DOT to modernize how the City uses curb space and bring greater order and ease to New York City streets.

The new office will oversee curb policies across the city’s 6,300 miles of streets and roughly 3 million curbside parking spaces, with a focus on improving safety, reducing double parking and better managing competing demands — from deliveries and outdoor dining to bike parking and waste containerization. The office will also streamline interagency coordination on projects requiring curb management.

“How we manage our curbs is how we show our streets are for everyone — from cyclists and drivers to sanitation workers and delivery workers to food vendors and outdoor diners,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This new office will centralize planning so that our curbs can keep up with the new and growing ways New Yorkers enjoy our city. By modernizing curb management, we’re delivering a streetscape that is the envy of the world.”

“As our streets continue to evolve — from better bike infrastructure to growing demand for outdoor dining — the way we manage our limited curb space is critical,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “Our curbs are more than just where our sidewalks meet the street, they are a reflection of how we want our streets to be used — streets that need to work for all New Yorkers.”

“Creating streets that are the envy of the world starts at the curb, because the curb lane is critical to a street’s success — if it isn’t working, the whole street isn’t working,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “New York City’s curb regulations have not evolved quickly enough since 1950, when overnight street parking was legalized. The result is a curb that too often feels chaotic and unsafe, and that must change.”

The new office will bring the city’s curb into the 21st century by taking a modern approach that utilizes curb space to meet a wider range of public needs, including multi-modal transportation options, loading zones, microhubs, vehicle pick-up and drop-off zones, secure bike parking, outdoor dining and more. This approach will better organize curb space and support safer, more efficient streets.

The Office of Curb Management will improve coordination by consolidating planning functions and positions that are currently spread across multiple teams, helping ensure a consistent, citywide approach to curb policy and design. The office will expand upon the City’s efforts to install loading zones, designate vehicle pick-up and drop-off areas, use parking strategies to promote more vehicle turnover at the curb, allow roadway outdoor dining and pilot on-street waste containerization.

NYC DOT will begin forming the new office immediately, including posting key leadership roles in the coming days.

The new Office of Curb Management builds on a number of other recent agency structural changes that center our streets, curbs and sidewalks on the needs of all users, including the creation of the Office of Livable Streets, which houses the new Public Realm team and the Cycling and Micromobility unit, and the creation of the Reconnecting Communities Planning unit that focuses on connecting neighborhoods divided by infrastructure.

Mayor Mamdani, Cardi B Announce 2-K Applications Open June 2; Launch Citywide Jingle Competition

New Yorkers can apply to the jingle contest at nyc.gov/jingle and are share submissions using #NYC2KJingle

*** WATCH HERE: Cardi B and the Mayor announce: 2-K is coming to New York! ***

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Bronx-born rapper, parent and former New York City Public School student Cardi B announced that applications for the City’s first 2-K program will open June 2 and run through June 26, 2026, marking a major step toward universal, free child care for two-year-olds.

Families will be able to apply for 2-K seats in school districts 6, 10, 18, 23 and 27, with offers released in August.

To build momentum ahead of the application opening, the administration is launching a citywide 2-K application jingle competition, inviting New Yorkers to submit original 15 or 30-second jingles encouraging families to apply. A panel of special guest judges will review submissions before New Yorkers vote to select a winner. The winning entry will become the official 2-K theme for New York City and play on the radio.

“As Cardi B says: “I can get ’em both. I don’t wanna choose.” With universal child care, New Yorkers won’t have to,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For too long, families have been forced to choose between affordable care and staying in the city they love. Now, they can have both—free care in the greatest city in the world.”

“Child care is very important. Sometimes us women can’t really go forward because we don’t have nobody to help us take care of our kids,” said Cardi B in the video announcement.

“The launch of 2-K marks an important milestone for early childhood education in New York City. Expanding access to early care and learning for two-year-olds helps children build strong foundations for language, social development, and learning, while supporting families during an important stage of their child’s development,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “This is an important step as we continue building a stronger, more connected birth-to-five early childhood system for New York City families.”

Submissions to the 2-K jingle contest can be made at nyc.gov/jingle. Submissions must be received by Friday, April 17, 2026. Full entry rules and guidelines are available at nyc.gov/jingle.

The 2-K program is New York City’s answer the urgent need for free, accessible child care for two-year-olds. Announced last month, the program will provide free child care to any family that needs it, regardless of ZIP code, income or immigration status.

The program will launch this fall with 2,000 free seats and expand to universal access within four years.

NYC Public Schools will share additional details, including final provider locations, with families and community partners in the coming weeks.

Watch the video here: Cardi B and the Mayor announce: 2-K is coming to New York!

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI ON CITY COUNCIL’S PRELIMINARY BUDGET RESPONSE

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement in response to the City Council’s preliminary budget response:

Speaker Julie Menin’s preliminary budget proposal would result in slashing billions of dollars from agency budgets, which would force the City to cut services. Double counting previously identified savings, overestimating revenues, and exaggerating debt service savings does nothing to close a deficit.

This $6 billion proposal asks Albany for just one action – class size mandate relief. It refuses to address the deeper structural imbalance between the City and the State, or to increase taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations. It effectively ensures this structural deficit will continue indefinitely.

Any proposal that claims we can close this gap without significant new revenue is unrealistic

Mamdani Administration Completes $24 Million Snow Operations and Composting Facilities in Brooklyn

Investment strengthens winter preparedness, expands year-round composting and advances major sewer infrastructure to protect Gowanus Canal

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia and Department of Sanitation (DSNY) Commissioner Gregory Anderson today announced the completion of $24 million in new snow operations and composting facilities in Gowanus, Brooklyn.

Funded, designed and constructed by the DEP, the DSNY facilities make way for critical sewer infrastructure, including an underground storage tank that will intercept and store up to 4 million gallons of sewage that would otherwise flow into the Gowanus Canal during rainstorms.

The 7,600-square-foot snow operations facility can store 6 million pounds of road salt — a first line of defense against dangerous conditions. Salt slows snow accumulation, improves plowing and helps keep New Yorkers moving safely during winter storms.

Built to support that capacity, the facility includes a reinforced underground support structure to distribute the weight, as well as storage for up to 75 plow blades and brine tanks. Rooftop solar panels generate 79,600 watts of renewable energy to power lighting and equipment on-site.

The composting facility, operated by Big Reuse, can process 600,000 pounds of food scraps, yard waste and wood chips each year, turning waste into a resource for New York City communities.

“There’s no better way to close out a tough winter than by opening a facility capable of storing six million pounds of road salt and 75 plow blades,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This is what public service looks like: the year-round, often unseen labor of City workers who make our streets safer and our environment healthier. Through collaboration between DEP and DSNY, this site offers a laundry list of public goods, from rooftop solar panels to a composting facility that can process 600,000 pounds of waste each year.”

“Built by DEP, DSNY’s new snow and composting facilities are public excellence at work, showing what is possible when city agencies collaborate efficiently and effectively,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “These facilities will ensure our neighbors in Brooklyn are prepared for the next blizzard while advancing our work to reduce pollution in our waterways and expand composting citywide.”

“Every season now tests our resilience, and New York City is meeting that challenge with smart, climate ready investments,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “The new snow operations facility will ensure Brooklynites are protected before, during and after snowstorms and extreme cold like we saw in February, while renewed composting operations in the Gowanus community will help curb harmful greenhouse gas emissions. Also, once complete, the new wastewater infrastructure will significantly reduce sewer overflows into the Gowanus Canal, protecting the waterway against more frequent rainstorms.”

“Expanded composting capacity and a new crown-jewel of snow operations mean that New Yorkers will have safer streets and greener gardens,” said Sanitation Commissioner Gregory Anderson. “From the beginning, we were clear that cleaning up the Gowanus Canal could not come at the expense of critical Sanitation services. DEP heard this message, and they delivered. I am proud to cut this ribbon alongside so many partners and advocates today.”

The design of the snow operations facility reflects Gowanus’ industrial character, incorporating sculptural concrete and textured metal. The project followed extensive public engagement to ensure it aligns with the neighborhood’s history and community priorities.

Construction was sequenced to maintain uninterrupted winter service during the 2024-25 season using a temporary salt storage facility. Since the facility’s completion in January, sanitation crews have continued to deliver seamless, reliable service through one of the largest snowstorms in recent history.

“Today is a powerful example of what it looks like when a community fights for climate infrastructure and wins,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “The return of composting at the Salt Lot builds on years of organizing and ensures that food waste is turned into a resource that stays right here in our neighborhood. And beneath our feet, critical investments like the CSO tank will help keep sewage out of the Gowanus Canal and make our infrastructure more resilient. This is exactly the kind of environmental and community-centered investment we pushed for during the Gowanus rezoning, and we will keep working to make sure every promise is delivered.”

“I’m thrilled to celebrate the completion of the new sanitation and composting facilities, which also allows us to install the second CSO tank. This is a win-win, as the new facilities and tank will not only improve the water quality in the Gowanus Canal, but also strengthen our city’s ability to manage snow operations and expand composting. I am grateful to the Mayor’s Office, DEP and DSNY for their work and partnership in bringing this project to completion,” said Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon.

“Big Reuse is excited to reopen our community composting site in Gowanus! Big Reuse has worked over the last decade in partnership with DSNY to develop and operate innovative composting programs and systems to support parks, communities, and green infrastructure. We are thrilled by the remarkable efforts of the entire team at DEP, who collaborated with the community to rebuild and enhance the site so we can continue this vital work,” said Justin Greene, Executive Director of Big Reuse. “Additionally, we are grateful for NYC Council’s ongoing support that makes community composting possible across the city. We look forward to continuing our relationship with community partner Gowanus Canal Conservancy to bring their essential programming to the new location.”

“The Salt Lot has long been the eco-infrastructural heart of Gowanus — a site that was full of volunteers, students, community members, environmentalists, horticulturalists, composters, artists and boaters. With the re-opening of the Salt Lot compost facility this spring, we move a step forward in its future — where public space, education and ecological diversity will be knit together with critical resiliency infrastructure like the sewage tank and a salt marsh restoration,” said Andrea Parker, Executive Director of Gowanus Canal Conservancy. “Gowanus Canal Conservancy is excited to also be returning to the Salt Lot as well, re-activating it as a hub for environmental stewardship, processing neighborhood garden waste locally and using compost created there to enrich our street trees and nursery soils. DEP, who supported a robust community design process, has seen the importance and potential of this site, which is reflected in the habitat restoration, water access, educational spaces and community respite all included as part of the long-term site plan. Today the Gowanus community regains access to the Salt Lot, and we all move forward towards a greener Gowanus.”

“This is the kind of progress Gowanus was promised and deserves. The completion of the composting facility and of the salt shed, and great progress on the CSO facility represent real advances in infrastructure that will serve Brooklyn for years to come,” said Michael Racioppo, District Manager of Brooklyn Community Board 6. “DEP’s willingness to work alongside the community made a difference. Equally important, this progress has been shaped through meaningful public engagement, ensuring these facilities reflect Gowanus itself: its history, industrial character and the surrounding community.”

The project clears the way for the Owls Head Combined Sewage Overflow (CSO) Facility, part of the Superfund cleanup of the Gowanus Canal. The facility includes a 4‑million‑gallon underground tank and support systems to capture and manage storm-related overflows. DEP recently completed deep underground perimeter walls for the tank, with excavation set to begin this spring.

Future phases will restore Gowanus Canal Conservancy’s public education outpost and construct two acres of waterfront open space, including restored tidal wetlands and a kayak launch, designed by SCAPE Landscape Architects.

A second project, the Red Hook CSO Facility, will add another 8 million gallons of storage capacity. Together, the two systems will capture up to 12 million gallons of combined sewage overflow during storms — a major step toward reducing pollution in the Gowanus Canal and strengthening neighborhood resilience.

MAYOR MAMDANI, CTO GELOBTER AND FREDERICK O’REILLY HAYES PRIZE FOUNDATION HONOR FOURTH ANNUAL HAYES INNOVATION PRIZE WINNERS

Award recognizes innovative City workers who are delivering for all New Yorkers

Awardees measured the impact of the City’s congestion pricing program, strengthened food oversight in homeless shelters, modernized cemetery management at Hart Island and provided 24/7 access to lifesaving overdose supplies

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) Commissioner Lisa Gelobter and Jonathan Weiner, president of the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation, honored 12 public servants with the fourth annual NYC Hayes Innovation Prize for their cutting-edge efforts to reimagine government and deliver tangible results for New Yorkers. 

The winning projects — spanning eight City agencies — represent breakthroughs in affordability, government accessibility and public safety. Honorees were selected from 74 nominations across more than 30 agencies. Each winner received a $1,000 cash prize funded by the foundation. OTI and the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation co-sponsored the awards.  

“Delivering public goods requires public excellence, and the public servants we honor today embody that excellence — not as an abstract ideal, but as daily work in service of 8.5 million New Yorkers. Across our City government, workers are finding new ways to make this city more affordable, more accessible and more just. The recipients of the Hayes Innovation Prize show what it means to build a government that works for working people,” said Mayor Mamdani. “I’m proud to recognize their service and grateful for the care they bring to this city every day.”

“Public servants are the backbone of our city, and this award recognizes the innovative and substantial work they have accomplished to make a real difference in New Yorkers’ lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The recipients of the Hayes prize embody government excellence, and what is possible when public servants go above and beyond for the people they serve. Today, we celebrate their example.”

“There is no challenge too big for New York City’s amazing public servants,” said CTO and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Thanks to their bold vision and leadership, this year’s Hayes Prize winners achieved remarkable results that made our city more affordable, our government run better and our streets safer for New Yorkers. In addition, our honorees deserve acclaim for raising the bar for government excellence and inspiring their colleagues to pursue their own greatness. Congratulations to all of our Hayes Prize winners!”

“Great work in public service is seriously under-recognized in our society,” said Jonathan Weiner, President, Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation. “The Fred Hayes Prize Foundation congratulates this year’s Prize winners for their remarkable work relatively early in their careers in our City’s service and is enormously pleased to recognize their efforts. We welcome them into the distinguished company of those who have been awarded the Prize going back to 2005. Like these former Prize winners, their projects have been innovative and marked by talented and deep use of analytics. Named after Fred Hayes, the City’s brilliant budget director in the Lindsay administration, the Prize Foundation is solely supported by those who have worked with Fred and are delighted to see first-rate commitments to public service in succeeding generations.”

OTI and the Hayes Prize Foundation launched the Hayes Innovation Prize in March 2023 to recognize excellence in public service. To date, 68 public servants have received the award. For the second consecutive year, winners were recognized in two categories: Innovation and IT Leadership. A distinguished panel of past recipients of the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize, which started in 2005, and recipients of the Technology & Innovation Award selected this year’s winners. 

This year’s prize winners are (in alphabetical order): 

INNOVATION 

Roxanne Anderson of the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), who implemented the City’s first Public Health Vending Machines (PHVMs) that provide 24/7 access to lifesaving harm reduction supplies conveniently and anonymously to address the overdose crisis meet the goals outlined in the mental health plan for NYC. Since June 2023, the City’s first four PHVMs have been utilized over 42,000 times and dispensed 4,500 nalaxone kits, in addition to other harm reduction and health and wellness resources.

Pavel Ilin of the NYC Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity, who spearheaded the complete rebuild and launch of the new My File NYC, a digital platform that gives  New Yorkers a safe and secure place to store their vital documents and share them when applying for City services. My File is currently in use by families applying for shelter through the Department of Homeless Services’ Family Intake Center – Prevention Assistance and Temporary Housing (PATH). My File will be introduced to the Department of Housing Preservation and Development’s Set Aside Housing program later this year.

Shawn Inshan and Mallory Rutigliano of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), who pioneered a first-of-its-toolkit with a Resiliency Exposure Inventory and Resiliency Exposure Forecast designed to understand whether communities, infrastructure and environments are sufficiently protected from climate risks. This initiative serves the City’s Broader Climate Budgeting effort, which includes climate considerations across investment decisions, and is already being used to assist with policy and project planning with the Mayor’s Office of Climate and Environmental Justice, the Parks Department and the Economic Development Corporation. 

Joel Owhe of the Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY), who led the development of the FDNY Job Safety Analysis (JSA) application, a groundbreaking internal tool that digitized and standardized the process for documenting, reviewing and analyzing safety practices across training operations. Joel transformed a once paper-heavy and reactive system into an agile, digital platform that enhances the department’s ability to train, evaluate and safeguard its members. 

Caleb Wendling and Julia Klauss of OMB, who expanded the flood insurance coverage of overlooked City-owned buildings with a pathbreaking approach — using mapping software, Python scripts and direct outreach — to create a new and fully comprehensive list of all City assets. Their work has helped double the number of City-owned buildings covered by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) from 212 at the start of 2024 to more than 430, with hundreds more expected.

Kenyatta (Kym) Williams of the NYC Human Resources Administration (HRA), who managed the Cemetery Management and Tracking System — a modern, integrated platform to manage burial records, plot mapping and public access for burial operations at Hart Island, the City’s municipal cemetery and the final resting place for more than 1 million New Yorkers. As a result, families can now more accurately search burial records dating back to the 1970s, visualize the burial site on a digital map, schedule visits online and receive automated confirmations and reminders — features that did not exist before. 

Matthew Yarri of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA), who developed a real-time performance dashboard and data analytics framework for New York City’s congestion pricing program — one of the City’s most transformative transportation initiatives in a generation. Matthew’s dashboard equipped MTA leadership with the systemwide insights — not just MTA operations, but cars, buses, bridges and tunnels — needed to monitor impacts, communicate results and build public trust from day one as traffic patterns began to shift. 

IT LEADERSHIP

Claire Boyd of the Department of Finance (DOF), who transformed the Property Modeling Group’s technical capabilities at DOF to enhance efficiency, analytical rigor and long-term sustainability across operations. In addition to expanding the scope and effectiveness of DOF’s core IT capabilities, Claire’s leadership strengthened the City’s capacity for fair, data-driven property tax assessment. 

Elan Carmel of the Department of Social Services (DSS), who directed the execution of a citywide initiative to strengthen oversight of food and nutrition services within Department of Homeless Services (DHS) shelters. Working closely with the Office of the Medical Director and DHS Food Services, Elan designed and implemented a new module within the Building Compliance System that digitizes the process for tracking food ordered, received, discarded and evaluated for quality — improving the dining experience for shelter residents by ensuring meals meet quality standards and client expectations.

Mike Kutzma of the MTA, who led the design and implementation of the MTA Data Lake Program, a suite of infrastructure and applications that serve to enable analytics at scale across the MTA. The platform that Mike and his team built was responsible for the MTA’s ability to provide accurate, next-day reporting on the new congestion pricing program within days of the program’s launch. 

The finalists for this year’s awards include: 

Janelle Blount and Raja Pathuri of HPD 
Chris Gettings and Emily Torem of DOHMH 
Ayesha McHugh of NYC Housing Authority (NYCHA) 
Momina Min of NYC Public Schools 
Theodore Mullally of DOHMH 
Dana Nelson of NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) 
Matthew O’Malley of Department of Small Business Services (SBS) 
Jayabalaji Rubalingam of the MTA 
Bharti Sharma of NYC Health + Hospitals 
Courtney Yu of NYCHA 
Khusro Zafar and Brunnell Velazquez of the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) 
“Public health is too often described as ‘invisible,’ including innovative programs like our public health vending machines that put essential health supplies like naloxone kits directly in the hands of New Yorkers with no questions asked,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “Mission-driven staff like Roxanne are the backbone of the lifesaving work happening every day at the NYC Health Department as we continue our efforts to reduce overdose deaths across New York City. This prize is well-earned and helps make the work of public health heroes, like Roxanne, more visible to the people we serve.”

“Building a government that works for the people of New York City takes public servants who are undaunted by the serious challenges before them. This year’s Hayes Prize winners have shown that creative approaches, new technology, and dedication to the work can lead to transformative outcomes that make life better for New Yorkers,” said DSS Commissioner Erin Dalton. “Congratulations to all of this year’s winners, especially Kym and Elan who have done so much to improve DSS services by leveraging technology to improve data collection and client experience. I look forward to building on this incredible progress and exploring how we can continue to enhance services with new technologies.”

“The Hayes Innovation Prize recognizes Claire Boyd’s leadership in tackling a key Department of Finance challenge: improving access to data for property valuation models used to assess over 1.2 million New York City properties annually,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Richard Lee. “Through her leadership, Claire streamlined data sharing across siloed systems using tools that are more efficient, transparent and reliable, while enhancing our ability to evaluate model accuracy across property types. These advancements are dramatically improving how we deliver fair, data-driven property tax assessments for New Yorkers. Together with her fellow honorees, Claire’s work highlights a broader commitment to innovation across this administration — one rooted in practical solutions and a strong sense of public service. Celebrating the achievements of these city employees is important, as it underscores how new ideas in government can meaningfully enhance the services people rely on every day. Congratulations to Claire and all of this year’s honorees on this well-earned recognition.”

“The FDNY congratulates Firefighter Joel Owhe on this well-deserved recognition from the Hayes Prize Foundation,” said FDNY Commissioner Lillian Bonsignore. “His work reflects the innovative thinking that makes the FDNY stronger every day. His application has improved a critical safety process within our department, helping us better evaluate training operations and protect our members.”

“We are thrilled that Pavel is being recognized for his leadership on the launch of the newest version of My File NYC,” said Carson Hicks, Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity. “Pavel’s work is modernizing how New Yorkers can prove eligibility for City benefits and services, streamlining internal agency operations and strengthening collaboration across agencies to better serve New Yorkers.”

“The MTA has upped its game in embracing cutting-edge technology to communicate better with our customers and harnessing deeper data engineering and analytics to improve service and enhance productivity,” said MTA Chief of Strategic Initiatives Jon Kaufman. “I’m glad to see recognition for Matt and how his team’s work brought to life the magnitude and multitude of benefits from the Congestion Relief Zone — and how Mike’s data engineering team truly helps MTA leadership make better, faster decisions that help our riders.”

About the Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Foundation

The Frederick O’Reilly Hayes Prize Foundation is supported by private donations from former city employees and officials, many of whom worked for or with Frederick O’Reilly Hayes, the city’s budget director in the late 1960s. Fred was a visionary who encouraged innovation, analysis, and commitment to the excellent management and delivery of public services. He was also dedicated to recruiting and mentoring young talent in city government. 

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE PARENT SURVEY

City will replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade

Spending builds on $20 million purchase of 40 modernized catch basin cleaning trucks

Modernized catch basins feature bike-friendly redesigns and improved water drainage

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia today announced that the City is investing $108 million to upgrade and replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade to ensure the City’s street drainage network is resilient in the face of more frequent and intense rain events. This investment follows the City’s $20 million purchase of 40 new catch basin cleaning trucks — ensuring neighborhoods are better protected as extreme weather becomes more frequent.

“Investing in resiliency is an affordability strategy we cannot take for granted,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By investing in our sewer system, we’re protecting our neighborhoods from the destruction and devastation severe storms bring. These new and improved catch basins are a recognition that climate preparedness must be built into every feature of our City.”

“This administration is making smart, targeted investments in the infrastructure New Yorkers rely on every day,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “By combining data-driven inspections, modern equipment and long-term capital upgrades, we are improving sewer performance citywide while delivering faster service and greater accountability to the public.”

“As we modernize our water and sewer infrastructure and advance major projects, we’re also investing in local improvements that make a real difference at the neighborhood and block level. No project is too small when it comes to protecting New Yorkers,” said DEP Commissioner Lisa F. Garcia. “We’re seeing more intense rainfall than ever, and these investments in catch basins, more commonly known as storm drains, and specialized cleaning trucks will help keep streets passable, protect communities from flooding, and ensure our stormwater system is ready for climate challenges.”

New York City has more than 150,000 catch basins, also known as storm drains, that are an important part of the City’s 7,500‑mile sewer network. These curbside grates channel stormwater into underground pipes that carry it to one of DEP’s 14 wastewater resource recovery facilities or directly into local waterways.

When catch basin grates become blocked by litter or debris, they cannot drain properly, increasing the risk of street flooding. Designs vary across the five boroughs due to evolving standards over time.

$108 MILLION FOR FULL REPLACEMENTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE

A full replacement involves rebuilding or replacing the entire underground catch basin structure. DEP will invest $108 million to replace 6,708 older catch basins that no longer meet modern standards. Work will begin this July in Queens.

$1.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO MODERNIZE EXISTING BASINS

Catch basin modernization focuses on upgrading existing components, such as grates, to improve performance and reduce blockages.

Since July 2024, DEP has upgraded 3,273 catch basins and will invest $1.5 million annually to continue this work. The agency expects to upgrade approximately 1,700 basins by June and has already completed 1,176 of those improvements.

The upgrades pair improved catch basin grates in the road with slotted manhole covers on sidewalks. If the grate becomes blocked, the slotted cover provides an alternate path for stormwater to reach the basin below. DEP has already installed 427 slotted manhole covers and 298 bike-friendly catch basin grates citywide since 2024.

New bike-friendly grate (background) and slotted manhole cover (foreground)

FORTY NEW CLEANING TRUCKS

DEP is modernizing its fleet of catch basin cleaning trucks — specialized vehicles used to clear blockages within underground basins.

The agency has ordered 40 new trucks, nine of which have already been delivered, with another four expected by December. DEP plans to fully replace its 47-truck fleet by June 2029.

Over the past decade, DEP has adopted a data‑driven, proactive approach to sewer system maintenance. Its inspection program prioritizes flood‑prone areas and has significantly reduced response times. Catch basin and street flooding complaints are now resolved within three days of a 311 request — well below the legally mandated eight business days.

MAYOR MAMDANI INVESTS $108 MILLION TO IMPROVE SEWER PERFORMANCE CITYWIDE, ENHANCING NEIGHBORHOOD RESILIENCY

City will replace more than 6,700 catch basins over the next decade

Spending builds on $20 million purchase of 40 modernized catch basin cleaning trucks

Modernized catch basins feature bike-friendly redesigns and improved water drainage

$108 MILLION FOR FULL REPLACEMENTS OVER THE NEXT DECADE

$1.5 MILLION ANNUALLY TO MODERNIZE EXISTING BASINS

Catch basin modernization focuses on upgrading existing components, such as grates, to improve performance and reduce blockages.

New bike-friendly grate (background) and slotted manhole cover (foreground)

FORTY NEW CLEANING TRUCKS

DEP is modernizing its fleet of catch basin cleaning trucks — specialized vehicles used to clear blockages within underground basins.

The agency has ordered 40 new trucks, nine of which have already been delivered, with another four expected by December. DEP plans to fully replace its 47-truck fleet by June 2029.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION OPENS ELECTRIC VEHICLE FAST CHARGING STATION IN DOWNTOWN FLUSHING, QUEENS

Station to dramatically expand access to affordable public charging in Queens

Fast chargers will serve an area where many TLC-licensed drivers live, supporting City’s plan to make all for-hire vehicle trips zero-emission or wheelchair accessible by 2030

Eight new electric vehicle fast chargers now online at NYC DOT’s municipal lot in downtown Flushing, Queens

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn and the New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced an expansion of the City’s network of public electric vehicle (EV) fast chargers with the opening of a new eight-unit station at NYC DOT’s municipal lot in downtown Flushing, Queens (135-23 39th Avenue). This location is the first of 10 scheduled to come online over the next year through a partnership between NYC DOT and the Power Authority, which operates 300 fast chargers in its EVolve NY network throughout New York State.

The new fast charging station will support the City’s commitment to reaching net-zero carbon emissions by 2050. The station was sited in a community with limited access to affordable charging and a high concentration of drivers licensed by the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC). Fast charging customers will not be subject to additional parking fees on site. The station features eight 360kW chargers, capable of providing an 80% charge in 10-15 minutes.

“Clean energy infrastructure is the foundation of our City’s green future,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We’re bringing safe charging hubs where they’re needed the most: the neighborhoods our for-hire drivers call home. This Flushing hub will deliver affordability and sustainability, and I look forward to the continued expansion of our green energy network across the city.”

“Building EV chargers in neighborhoods where many working drivers live will make it easier to encourage a switch to electric vehicles and help for-hire vehicle drivers spend more time fulfilling rides, not searching for a charge,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “These chargers will also be available to the public and help serve communities with few affordable charging options. Achieving a greener transportation future is only possible if our city makes equitable investments in every neighborhood, for every New Yorker.”

“The new downtown Flushing Evolve NY fast chargers will provide ride-share drivers and local EV owners with quick, convenient and reliable charging right in their neighborhood.” said NYPA President and CEO Justin E. Driscoll. “Expanding EV fast charging infrastructure across the five boroughs is essential as we accelerate our transition to clean transportation. Expansion of electric vehicles, supported by fast charging infrastructure, means cleaner air for New York City residents.”

“Equitable access to electric vehicle charging infrastructure ensures that working-class New Yorkers can participate in the city’s clean transportation future, making the shift to electric vehicles both accessible and fair while supporting our broader climate commitments,” said New York City Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. “Expanding electric vehicle charging to communities that have never had access is a concrete step to make sustainable transportation attainable for all.”

“These fast chargers are a boon for the city’s taxi and for-hire drivers who are leading us to a cleaner, more sustainable future,” said TLC Deputy Commissioner for Policy and Community Affairs James DiGiovanni. “With over a third of TLC drivers calling Queens home, charger locations like this are essential to keeping them — and our city — moving, and I thank DOT and NYPA for continuing to prioritize infrastructure for our hardworking drivers.”

NYPA is installing fast charging stations with multiple fast chargers at six additional NYC DOT municipal parking lots in Queens. Locations in Bayside at 214-32 41st Avenue and Rosedale at 13913 Francis Lewis Boulevard are expected come online in the next few weeks. Additionally, 12 chargers are now online at LaGuardia airport for rideshare drivers.

In total, 66 EVolve NY fast chargers will be available at 10 NYC DOT municipal parking facilities across Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.

The following locations are scheduled to open throughout 2026 and early 2027:

Jerome-190th St Municipal Parking Garage
Brighton Beach Municipal Parking Field
Canarsie Municipal Parking Field
Ditmars #2 Municipal Parking Field
Rockaway Park Municipal Parking Field
Steinway #1 Municipal Parking Field
Sunnyside Municipal Parking Field

These new fast chargers add to the City’s growing network of public charging stations. NYC DOT operates five fast-charging stations:

Queens Borough Hall municipal garage in Queens
Court Square municipal garage in Queens
The Delancey/Essex municipal garage in Lower Manhattan
White Plains Road Municipal Parking Field in the Bronx
Bensonhurst #1 Municipal Parking Field in Brooklyn

NYC DOT is also advancing fast charging stations at three other lots, expected to be completed in 2026-2027 under NYPA’s project management. In addition to these hubs, the agency operates 92 curbside on-street Level 2 chargers, installed by the NYC DOT in partnership with Con Edison, helping New York City spearhead the recent growth in EVs in the state. As of January 2026, more than 79,000 EVs are registered in NYC, representing 25% of all EVs registered in New York State and a year-over-year increase of 14% over 2024.

“I am glad to see our city expanding its network of EV chargers and doing so in my congressional district,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng. “These new stations will go a long way towards making EV ownership more practical for my constituents while ensuring a cleaner future in New York City. Thank you to the New York City Department of Transportation and New York Power Authority for working to increase our charging infrastructure.”

“The installation of fast electric vehicle chargers in more working-class neighborhoods is essential. This is a welcomed addition in The Bronx for drivers who like me, have made the transition from a fossil fuel vehicle to an electric vehicle,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This expanded access will not only incentivize more New Yorkers to make that transition but will help our City move the needle in addressing environmental justice and our zero emissions goals.”

“As more New Yorkers see the environmental and economic benefits of going electric, it is important that we provide the infrastructure necessary to keep up with the demand and ensure accessibility,” said State Senator John Liu. “These new stations here in the heart of downtown Flushing and across Queens are an important step in the right direction, offering fast and affordable charging that allows drivers to reduce their emissions and make EV ownership a more practical option for all New Yorkers. I am looking forward to building on this progress with even more public charging options in the near future.”

“I applaud the New York City Department of Transportation and the New York Power Authority for expanding our city’s network of public EV fast chargers, including the new station opening in downtown Flushing and the additional sites planned for Queens throughout 2026,” said State Senator James Sanders Jr. “This investment moves us closer to a cleaner, more sustainable future while addressing a real need in communities that have historically lacked access to affordable charging options. Queens is home to thousands of working families, professional drivers, and small business owners who will benefit from faster, more reliable charging — without added parking fees. As we push toward New York City’s goal of net‑zero emissions by 2050, it is essential that every neighborhood, especially those long overlooked, has the infrastructure to participate in the green economy. I look forward to welcoming these new sites to our district and ensuring that Southeast Queens continues to be part of the city’s progress. I thank NYC DOT and NYPA for their partnership and commitment to environmental justice, innovation, and equitable access for all New Yorkers.”

“This new fast-charging station in Flushing is a critical step toward building a cleaner, more equitable transportation future for New York City. By expanding access to affordable, high-speed EV charging in communities with limited infrastructure and a high concentration of TLC drivers, we are making it easier for working New Yorkers to transition to electric vehicles while reducing harmful emissions,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. “Investments like this bring us closer to our climate goals and ensure that the benefits of a greener economy are shared across all of our neighborhoods.”

“Queens is firmly on the frontlines of the fight against climate change, and leading that charge means fostering New York City’s transition to clean energy. We’re proud to be doing just that with today’s announcement of a new electric vehicle charging station in Flushing, with multiple other stations to come across Queens later in 2026,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Thank you to our friends at NYC DOT and the New York Power Authority for their partnership in getting these chargers installed, and I look forward to building out this critical infrastructure throughout The World’s Borough in the months ahead.”

“The transition away from fossil fuels will not happen on its own, rather it requires real investment in the infrastructure that makes cleaner alternatives practical and accessible for everyday New Yorkers,” said City Council Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. “That’s why the opening of this new fast-charging station in Flushing is so important. By providing drivers with a convenient, reliable and rapid way to charge their vehicles, we are removing one of the biggest barriers to wider EV adoption. This location is especially impactful in a community with many TLC-licensed drivers, who depend on their vehicles to make a living and need fast and affordable charging options. I look forward to seeing additional sites come online as we continue building a cleaner, more sustainable future for our city.”

“By expanding EV fast chargers in Sunnyside under the 7 train on Queens Boulevard, drivers and constituents will have access to affordable and rapid EV charging right in our neighborhood,” said Council Member Julie Won. “Thank you to Commissioner Flynn and the New York Power Authority for making this direct investment in working-class New Yorkers, while working toward a greener, more equitable Queens.”

“NYLCV applauds Mayor Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn for expanding fast, reliable EV charging, which is essential to making New York’s clean transportation future a reality,” said Alia Soomro, Deputy Director of NYC Policy, New York League of Conservation Voters. “By prioritizing professional drivers and bringing high-speed chargers to underserved neighborhoods like Flushing, NYC DOT and NYPA are helping ensure that the benefits of electrification are both practical and equitable while moving the city closer to its net-zero goals.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MAMDANI ON PLOT TO ASSASSINATE NERDEEN KISWANI

NEW YORK – In response to news of an arrest made in connection with a plot to assassinate Nerdeen Kiswani, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:

Last night, an alleged member of the Jewish Defense League—designated by the FBI as a “known violent extremist organization”—attempted to blow up the home of Nerdeen Kiswani in a chilling act of political violence and an apparent assassination plot. The defendant allegedly planned to flee to Israel following the attack.

This comes amidst an alarming rise in threats and violence across the country targeting Palestinian human rights advocates.

I am thankful that the NYPD and FBI thwarted this plot, which could have endangered Nerdeen’s life and those of other New Yorkers.

Let me be clear: We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy. I am relieved that Nerdeen is safe.

Our city must meet hate with solidarity, and meet fear with an unshakable commitment to justice and to one another.

MAYOR MAMDANI ADVANCES NEW YORK CITY’S FIRST FREE CHILD CARE PROGRAM PILOT FOR MUNICIPAL WORKERS

Approximately 40 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years will receive free, year-round childcare 8 AM to 6 PM Monday – Friday

All City workers based out of the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building are now eligible in addition to all DCAS employees regardless of work location

Applications will launch on April 30; Program will kick off this fall following the completion of $10 million renovation of 4,000-square-foot facility

NEW YORK — Today, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei announced that the City’s first free, on-site child care pilot program for City workers will open applications on April 30, 2026.

Under Mayor Mamdani, the program has been expanded to include all City workers based at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building at 1 Centre Street in addition to all DCAS employees regardless of work location. The Municipal Building, one of the largest government office buildings in the world, houses more than 2,000 employees across a dozen municipal agencies.

The program will operate on the ground floor of the building’s North Tower and provide year-round care Mondays through Fridays from 8 AM to 6 PM. The $10 million renovation is underway to construct a 4,000-square-foot child care facility, with completion expected this fall.

The brand-new center will serve approximately 40 children ages 6 weeks to 3 years and offer an evidence-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum designed to support early learning, socialization and growth.

By expanding access to free, on-site child care, the City is putting upwards of $20,000 a year back in the pockets of working families. The program is also expected to improve the retention of top talent, boost productivity and strengthen job satisfaction among working parents.

“Change begins at home. As we deliver universal child care to New Yorkers, that work must include the public servants who keep this city running,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We are bringing year-round, no-cost child care right here to Lower Manhattan — not just saving families money, but giving them back hours of their time. No parent should have to spend hours commuting just to ensure their child is safe and cared for.”

“As Mayor Mamdani has made clear, every family in New York City has a right to childcare, and that includes the families of the public workers who serve this city every day,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “This program will provide free, full-day, on-site care, helping children get a strong start while easing the burden on working parents.”

“At DCAS, we are focused on transforming our workplace for the future, namely, how can we make life more affordable, ease burdens and foster a more supportive workplace for our staff,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitasei. “We see this project as an answer to these questions — that by meeting workers where they are and providing on-site, free childcare, you will have City workers who are less stressed, healthier and better able to serve New Yorkers. We hope this will be transformative for the people that work here at 1 Centre Street, and we can’t wait to open this center in the fall.”

Applications will open on April 30, 2026. To be eligible, employees must:

Be a full-time DCAS employee regardless of work location or a full-time City employee who is assigned to 1 Centre Street.
Be a parent or legal guardian of a child between the ages of 6 weeks (as of Sept. 1, 2026) and 3 years old (as of Dec. 31, 2026).

Families may submit one application per child. Full eligibility details will be available on the DCAS website when applications open.

Selected participants will be notified in June. Families not selected will be placed on a waitlist and contacted if space becomes available.

Design and construction of the facility are being managed in house by DCAS, with a target opening date this fall. The program will be operated by a contracted child care provider, to be announced later this spring.

“Under the leadership of Mayor Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Kerson and DCAS Commissioner Kitasei, New York City is taking a meaningful step to support the public servants who keep our city running,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “Every day, thousands of City employees come into the Municipal Building balancing the demands of work and raising a family, and I know members of my own team are among those who could benefit from this pilot. By providing free, high-quality child care right where they work, this program will ease financial strain, reduce stress and give parents more time with their children. I’m grateful to the Mayor and his team for recognizing that supporting working families is essential to building a stronger, more effective City workforce.”

“This new on-site child care center at the David N. Dinkins Municipal Building is a smart investment in our workforce and in the families who serve New Yorkers every day,” said Department of Finance Commissioner Richard Lee. “By expanding this pilot to serve all City employees working in the building and making it free of charge, we are putting real money back into the pockets of working parents. Just as important, we are creating a supportive, high-quality early learning environment steps from the workplace. This initiative will reinforce our commitment to making City service a place where talented public servants can build both their careers and their families.”

“When we talk about supporting the workforce, we have to mean the whole person and the whole family. Reliable child care can be the difference between constant stress and real stability,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Yesenia Mata. “This pilot removes a major hurdle for working veteran families who serve this city and shows what is possible when government recognizes child care as essential support.”

As part of the City’s commitment to universal child care, and with funding from Governor Kathy Hochul, New York City will launch an initial 2,000 2-K seats this fall. Earlier this month, Mayor Mamdani announced more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in high-demand neighborhoods and launched 2,000 free 2-K seats across four communities.

The City will continue expanding 3-K capacity for fall 2026 through additional partnerships with community-based and home-based providers.

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES CITY’S FIRST UNDERGRADUATE SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM FOR MUNICIPAL WORKERS

The Mayor’s Scholarship Program builds on 60 years of success connecting City employees with graduate scholarships

Applications for undergraduate scholarships are open March 30 through April 27; graduate applications scholarships to open mid-September

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) Commissioner Yume Kitasei launched the City’s first undergraduate scholarship program for municipal employees, with applications opening March 30.

The new undergraduate track expands the longstanding Mayor’s Graduate Scholarship Program, which has provided financial assistance to City employees for more than 60 years. Both programs will now operate under the rebranded “Mayor’s Scholarship Program,” overseen by DCAS.

The Mayor’s Scholarship Program gives full-time New York City government employees the opportunity to pursue undergraduate and advanced degrees at participating colleges and universities across the region. The addition of undergraduate scholarships responds to sustained demand from City workers seeking support to earn bachelor’s and associate degrees.

Applications to the graduate program have surged in recent years, increasing more than 30% over the past two years. Participating institutions collectively award between $360k and $530k in scholarships to City employees every year.

“Our city moves when our workers do,” said Mayor Mamdani. “For more than 60 years, this program has shown that when you make education accessible, working people seize the opportunity. By expanding it to include undergraduate degrees, we are investing in a new generation of public servants who act ambitiously, think creatively and believe firmly in government’s power to deliver for the many.”

“Education is one of the most powerful tools we have to open doors, expand minds and build the skilled workforce our city needs to solve today and tomorrow’s challenges,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Julia Kerson. “The new undergraduate scholarship will help remove financial barriers for City workers, creating pathways to professional growth and development.”

“Education is a powerful investment in our employees and the future of city government,” said DCAS Commissioner Yume Kitsaei. “By expanding the Mayor’s Scholarship Program to include both undergraduate and graduate degrees, we are opening the doors for professional growth and building an even stronger workforce for New York City.”

The undergraduate scholarship program launches in partnership with 10 colleges and universities, with additional institutions in the pipeline. The graduate program has grown to include more than 30 participating schools, including Adelphi University, Columbia University, Baruch College, New York University and others.

All scholarships are awarded and funded directly by participating institutions. The Mayor‘s Scholarship Program does not provide direct funding.

The initial cohort of undergraduate partner institutions includes:

Adelphi University
Albertus Magnus College
Columbia University School of General Studies
CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies
Fordham University
Lehman College
Montclair State University
Marist University
Metropolitan College of New York
Purchase College, SUNY

“Adelphi University is honored to serve New York City through the Mayor’s Scholarship Program, creating meaningful pathways for city employees to advance their education and careers,” said Shawana Singletary, Chief Enrollment Officer, Adelphi University. “With a beautiful Garden City campus on Long Island, just 45 minutes from New York City, and a new Manhattan Center located at Fifth Avenue and 44th Street in Midtown, Adelphi offers students both accessibility and excellence. Our programs in social work, education, healthcare, psychology and business are designed to strengthen the workforce and support the communities that make New York thrive.”

“The CUNY School of Labor and Urban Studies is proud to partner with the Mayor’s Scholarship Program, an initiative that reflects New York City’s deep commitment to investing in the people who power our public institutions,” said Shannon Clarke, Chief Enrollment Officer, CUNY SLU. “Rooted in the history and enduring legacy of the labor movement, SLU is dedicated to advancing public service and social justice, equity and opportunity through education. We believe that expanding access to undergraduate and graduate study for municipal employees not only supports individual career mobility but also strengthens the collective capacity of our public workforce to lead with fairness, dignity and impact. This partnership represents more than a scholarship opportunity; it is an investment in workers, in communities and in a stronger, more just and inclusive city. We are honored to support city employees as they continue their educational journeys and deepen their contributions to New York City.”

“Purchase College, SUNY is proud to partner with New York City through the Mayor’s Scholarship Program to expand access to higher education for New York City’s public servants,” said Purchase College President Michael E. Steiper. “Through a substantial tuition reduction, we are opening pathways to our distinctive undergraduate and graduate programs in the arts, liberal arts and sciences. As Westchester’s only comprehensive public college, public service is at the heart of our mission. We look forward to welcoming these new students and supporting them as they pursue their academic and professional goals.”

“Lehman College is proud to support the program, affirming our support of NYC’s municipal workforce and the role these employees play in ensuring a prosperous future for all New Yorkers,” said a Lehman College spokesperson.

“Columbia University School of General Studies is thrilled to participate in the Mayor‘s Undergraduate Scholarship Program,” said a Columbia University spokesperson. “The expansion of this program to support full-time New York City employees seeking undergraduate education aligns perfectly with the School of General Studies’ mission to attract and educate the most talented nontraditional students. We are excited to expand on our recent efforts to ensure that New York City’s best students can access a Columbia University education.”

The Mamdani administration is continuing to expand workforce development initiatives and create new pathways for career advancement. Based on a recent sampling of approximately 100,000 City employees, nearly half did not hold an undergraduate degree.

The application period for the first undergraduate cohort will run from March 30 through April 27, with selected participants expected to begin their studies in fall 2026. Applications for the graduate scholarship cohort application will open in mid-September.

City employees must apply through their agency personnel offices and meet the admissions requirements of participating institutions. Additional information is available on the Mayor’s Scholarship Program website.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES EXPANSION OF “NEXT MILE NYC” TO RIKERS ISLAND, CONNECTING INCARCERATED NEW YORKERS TO HIGH-PAYING JOBS

Program Expands Job Training, Reduces Recidivism & Invests in Opportunities Over Costly Incarceration

Participants Will Begin Commercial Driver’s License Training While in Custody and Complete Certification After Release

$2.9 Million Investment Will Serve Nearly 300 Additional New Yorkers, With Salaries Up to $124,800

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) Director Deanna Logan and Department of Correction (DOC) Commissioner Stanley Richards today announced the expansion of the City’s successful “Next Mile NYC” Commercial Driver’s License (CDL) training program to people in custody on Rikers Island.

Through a partnership with Emerge Career, eligible participants will begin a 40-hour online training while in custody and complete hands-on instruction and testing after release, creating a direct pathway from incarceration to stable employment. Three participants who began training while in custody have already received conditional job offers.

“Expanding Next Mile NYC to Rikers Island will create real pathways from incarceration to stable, well-paying jobs,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This effort reflects our administration’s belief that public safety comes from opportunity and investment in people — not just incarceration —while restoring dignity through meaningful work and building a safer, more just city.”

“Stable employment is one of the strongest predictors of success upon returning to community,” said MOCJ Director Deanna Logan. “We already see positive impact from Next Mile NYC. By equipping participants with in-demand skills and connecting them directly to employers, individuals are exiting cycles of incarceration and returning to neighborhoods with a stronger workforce foundation that results in safer communities across New York City.”

“Our goal is to invest in the people who come to us so they return to their communities with the support and opportunities they need to succeed,” said New York City Department of Correction Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Returning home after time away can be challenging, but when individuals have a plan, a clear pathway, and — most importantly — hope for a better future, they are empowered not just to move forward, but to truly flourish.”

“We are thrilled to partner with NYC DOC and MOCJ to bring real, tangible second chances — rooted in careers, not just credentials — to incarcerated individuals at Rikers Island,” said Zo Orchingwa, co-founder and co-CEO of Emerge Career. “Our vision is to harness technology to open pathways to skilled trades careers that begin before release, not just after. This isn’t a checkbox initiative or training that leads nowhere. Next Mile NYC is a real jobs and reentry program, built to change lives and change outcomes.”

The expansion includes a $2.9 million investment in Fiscal Year 2026 and will serve up to 290 additional participants, building on a 2025 pilot that served 20 people.

Since launching in 2025, the program has delivered strong early outcomes: 266 participants earned Commercial Learner’s Permits and 99 obtained CDLs.

93 participants received job offers and 64 secured full-time employment, with an average salary of $90,200.
No participants have reported being rearrested. All participants who completed driving training obtained a CDL and received a job offer within six months.

The expansion launched in February 2026 at the Rose M. Singer Center Enhanced Supervised Housing (RESH) Annex, with additional sites planned at the Eric M. Taylor Center and the Rose M. Singer Center.

Next Mile NYC addresses two critical challenges: expanding access to economic opportunity for justice-involved New Yorkers and meeting workforce demand. By connecting New Yorkers to stable, high-paying careers before they leave custody, the program reduces recidivism and strengthens public safety.

According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, formerly incarcerated people face persistently high unemployment — more than 13 times the national unemployment rate — while industries like trucking face major worker shortages.

MOCJ — through its Community Innovations team — uses data to guide its programming and outreach. Research shows that limited access to employment and vocational training are major drivers of incarceration and recidivism. Programs like Next Mile NYC are designed to break that cycle by connecting participants to careers that provide immediate, family-sustaining wages.

Next Mile NYC builds on a broader set of education and workforce programs on Rikers Island, including high school equivalency and college-level courses, horticulture, barbering, barista, cosmetology, culinary arts, food handling, and OSHA training.

B-roll video available upon request from the New York City Department of Correction.

CORRECTION: STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MAMDANI ON THREAT TO NERDEEN KISWANI

NEW YORK – In response to news of an arrest made in connection with a threat to Nerdeen Kiswani, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:

A member of an offshoot of the Jewish Defense League — designated by the FBI as a “known violent extremist organization” — was allegedly building explosive devices to target the home of Nerdeen Kiswani in a chilling act of political violence. The defendant reportedly planned to flee to Israel following the attack.

This comes amid an alarming rise in threats and violence across the country targeting Palestinian human rights advocates.

I am thankful that the NYPD and FBI thwarted this plot, which could have endangered Nerdeen’s life and those of other New Yorkers.

Let me be clear: We will not tolerate violent extremism in our city. No one should face violence for their political beliefs or their advocacy. I am relieved that Nerdeen is safe.

Our city must meet hate with solidarity, and meet fear with an unshakable commitment to justice and to one another.

MORE THAN 11,000 NEW YORKERS CAST THEIR VOTES FOR NEIGHBORHOOD FIXES IN FIRST ROUND OF MAYOR MAMDANI’S MUNICIPAL MADNESS

You can find a video of the announcement here

NEW YORK – On March 27, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the first-ever Mayor’s Municipal Madness — a bracket-style competition of city fixes — which resulted in more than 11,600 New Yorkers from across the city voting for a project to be fixed personally by the Mayor in their own neighborhood.

“Welcome to the mayor‘s municipal madness. The first ever competition of city fixes. City government fixes thousands of tiny little problems every year, like a broken basketball ram or a bump on a bike path,” said Mayor Mamdani in a video of the announcement, alongside New York Liberty Guard Natasha Cloud. “Small frustrations like these are our job to worry about so you can focus on the big things.”

While City government makes thousands of small fixes year-round, Mayor’s Municipal Madness invites them into the process, encourages friendly competition between New Yorkers, and highlights the city workers who keep New York running. The best part of this competition is that everything on the bracket gets fixed.

Voting is open from 10AM to 10PM daily:

Round 1 (Top 16 to Top 8): Friday, 3/27 – Saturday, 3/28

Round 2 (Top 8 to Top 4): Sunday, 3/29 – Monday, 3/30

Semi Finals (Top 4 to Top 2): Tuesday, 3/31 – Wednesday, 4/1

Championship: Thursday, 4/2 – Friday, 4/3

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO DELIVER AFFORDABLE HOUSING ON CITY-OWNED LAND FASTER

New “Neighborhood Builders” Fast Track Will Pre-Select Qualified Developers to Cut Pre-Development Timeline by Nearly Half

First Three Sites to Use New Fast Track Could Deliver As Many As 300 New Affordable Homes

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy announced the new Neighborhood Builders Fast Track, an expedited process to speed the delivery of affordable housing on City-owned land. With Neighborhood Builders, HPD will pre-qualify affordable housing builders and shorten the pre-development Request for Proposals (RFP) process by eight months for certain projects – cutting the time to select an affordable housing developer by nearly half. Together with the new Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP), which the Mamdani administration has moved quickly to implement following its approval by voters in November, these programs will cut the pre-development process by more than two years.

“Our city is facing a historic housing crisis — the last thing we need to do is tie ourselves in red tape,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The Neighborhood Builders Fast Track will speed up housing development and make it faster to build on city-owned land. This administration is willing to move at the speed of need to make this a city New Yorkers can continue to call home.”

“New Yorkers deserve a government that doesn’t just deliver high-quality, affordable housing – but that also delivers it efficiently and effectively. I am proud to launch the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track alongside the HPD team who are working to deliver affordable housing across the five boroughs,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “I’m also excited to be advancing affordable housing projects at 784 Myrtle Ave, 1337 Jerome Ave, and 109-43 Farmers Blvd that will help create more vibrant, affordable neighborhoods, including new homeownership opportunities.”

“New York City needs more affordable housing, built faster and at lower cost — and HPD is not waiting to deliver it,” said Dina Levy, Housing and Preservation Commissioner. “The Neighborhood Builders Fast Track will reduce costs, speed up timelines, and maximize affordability. Public land is a public good — and we will not let city-owned sites sit idle while New Yorkers struggle to find an affordable home.”

HPD is releasing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) due May 8th for affordable housing developers who will pre-qualify for the Neighborhood Builders program, with a focus on nonprofit organizations and minority- and women-owned businesses. Once development teams have been qualified, the faster Neighborhood Builders process will be used at sites such as 784-800 Myrtle Avenue in Brooklyn, 1337 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx and 109-43 Farmers Boulevard in Queens, which will together deliver as many as 300 new affordable homes, including around 100 affordable homeownership opportunities at the Bronx and Queens sites. HPD expects to use the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track to advance development of as many as 1,000 new homes over the next two years.

The Neighborhood Builders Fast Track advances the Mamdani administration’s critical goals of creating affordable housing, especially on City-owned land, and speeding up the delivery of housing across the city. On the first day of the administration, Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Orders 4 and 5, establishing the Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) and Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development (SPEED) task forces, both of which will deliver recommendations this spring. The LIFT Task Force is working to identify opportunities for housing on City-owned sites, and the SPEED Task Force is working to reform the affordable housing production process, including pre- and post-construction approvals, project financing, and lease-up.

“I look forward to working with Mayor Mamdani on the Neighborhood Builders program to deliver urgently needed affordable housing,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “Since taking office, I have made one priority clear: build more housing and keep our neighbors here. The inclusion of 784-800 Myrtle Avenue in our district is both an honor and a recognition of Bed-Stuy’s need for deeply affordable homes so longtime residents and low-income New Yorkers can continue to contribute to our shared Brooklyn heritage. I’m proud to have approved thousands of units — spanning deeply affordable, middle-income, and supportive housing — that meet the diverse needs of my constituents. With Neighborhood Builders accelerating this work, we can move faster to confront rising rents and prevent displacement, because the people who give this city its life deserve to remain part of its future.”

“With the highest loss of black residents in the city, Mayor Mamdani picked the perfect place to start – Bed Stuy. Transforming vacant city-owned land to 100% affordable housing. This is what we have been calling for. This is hope. This is a downpayment of what is to come – building thousands of affordable homes in Bed Stuy and Central Brooklyn so the people who live here can stay here. Moving from words to action,” said Rev. Dr. Adolphus Lacey, Pastor of Bethany Baptist Church in Bedford Stuyvesant and Co-Chair of East Brooklyn Congregations (EBC).

“Today, Mayor Mamdani is showing us what is possible. Metro IAF called on the Mayor to do what others thought was impossible – develop 50,000 affordable units each year. We said it takes three things – sites, staff, and subsidy. Metro IAF showed him the sites. His staff quickly and thoroughly reviewed the sites. And today, the Mayor is acting to make city-owned land live again,” said Rev. Dr. David K. Brawley, Pastor of St. Paul Community Baptist Church in East New York and Co-Chair of Metro IAF. “We are in a 9-1-1 moment. Mayor Mamdani is showing what leaders do in an emergency. They act. They streamline. They expedite. They cut the red tape. We can’t wait to come back here and welcome the families who will have a brand-new home. We will do it again and again. We are not stopping. Metro IAF will stand with Mayor Mamdani and we will fight. We will fight for affordability. We will fight for maximizing density. We will fight for expediting. We will fight for all New Yorkers to keep New York home.”

“With a 1.4% vacancy rate, New Yorkers need more affordable housing, and fast,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director of Open New York. “We need to use every tool to speed up the creation of new homes, and the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track is a powerful new one. By cutting 8 months of process, affordable housing will get built faster, enabling more New Yorkers to access homes they can afford. We’re excited to see the Mamdani Administration, Deputy Mayor Bozorg, and Commissioner Levy prioritize the fast delivery of more affordable housing.”

“New York’s housing crisis isn’t years away – it’s happening right now. For this reason, government must explore every tool at its disposal to cut the time it takes to build affordable homes. The Neighborhood Builders Fast Track is an initiative that prioritizes organizations that understand our communities and looks to accelerate livability for families,” said Carlina Rivera, President and CEO of NYSAFAH. “We applaud Mayor Mamdani and his team for their creativity in finding new pathways to house New Yorkers more quickly and affordably.”

“As a third-generation MBE developer and general contractor, Apex Building Group is pleased to see this new Neighborhood Builders initiative that will help broaden the circle of participants in the development of urgently needed affordable units. Speeding up the process of getting from the initial idea to shovel in the ground is essential if we are going to meet the housing demand,” said Lee A. Brathwaite, CEO of Apex Building Group.

“Constructive Partnerships Unlimited is proud to partner with New York City on permanent housing opportunities for underserved New Yorkers and utilize initiatives like Neighborhood Builders Fast Track to lower costs and expedite construction. Building affordable homes is a vital cause that impacts dignity, stability, and opportunity, and we look forward to advancing additional projects so more New Yorkers can find a place to call home and build a meaningful future,” said Joseph M. Pancari, President and CEO of Constructive Partnerships Unlimited.

“Comunilifeis committed to expanding affordable and supportive housing, we welcome the Neighborhood Builders Fast Track as a critical step toward an equitable development process. Prioritizing nonprofits and M/WBE developers strengthens local capacity and ensures that the communities most affected by the housing crisis are part of the solution,” said Blanca Ramirez, President and CEO of Comunilife.

MAYOR MAMDANI RELEASES UPDATE ON SAVINGS PLAN

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani provided an update on the City of New York’s savings plan, as part of the City’s effort to drive down the budget gap inherited from the former Administration.

“Government must deliver for working people — and every dollar in our budget must work as hard as they do. That’s why I directed every agency to find real savings and cut waste to close our budget gap. This is just the beginning of our work to improve service delivery and make city government the most efficient it can be,” said Mayor Mamdani.

Mayor Mamdani proposed a prudent, fiscally responsible preliminary budget that identifies aggressive saving measures and operational reforms. Years of underbudgeting, unfunded mandates and fiscal mismanagement under the prior Administration left New York City facing a massive deficit, described by City Comptroller Mark Levine as “the biggest budget gap since the Great Recession.” Prior to the last Administration, actual spending tended to exceed projections by approximately 3%; through the Adams Administration, underbudgeting averaged 10%.

In January, Mayor Mamdani signed Executive Order 12, establishing a Chief Savings Officer (CSO) at every City agency to review performance, eliminate waste and streamline service delivery. Agencies were required to identify savings of 1.5% for Fiscal Year 2026 and 2.5% for Fiscal Year 2027. City agencies submitted their proposals on Friday, March 20, identifying more than $1.7 billion in savings. City Hall and the Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget have begun reviewing these proposals for inclusion in the Executive Budget.

In this initial review, the Mamdani Administration has grouped savings into five categories: efficiencies in public services; contracting efficiencies; technology modernization; space consolidation and lease management; and financial adjustments and new revenue. The following highlights represent an initial list of approved items:

Department of Correction: DOC will restructure and cancel certain IT and consultant contracts bringing services in house. This will save $4.3 million in FY26.
Department of Finance: DOF will strengthen verification to ensure recipients qualify for a primary residence co-op abatement. This will save $13 million in FY27.

Department of Health and Mental Hygiene: DOHMH will renegotiate its naloxone contract based on lower costs achieved in other states. This will save $1.15 million in FY27.

Department of Sanitation: DSNY will vacate underutilized office space and relocate staff to space which is being upgraded to accommodate additional employees. This will save $194,000 in FY27.

Department of Social Services: DSS will in-source nearly two-dozen IT contracts. This will save $597,000 in FY27. DSS is also maximizing revenue for WiFi provided in shelters by partnering with OTI to renegotiate contracts, which will lead to savings of $1.3 million in FY26 and $1.8 million in FY27. DSS is also terminating their contract with McKinsey, on which nearly $9 million was spent in FY26.

Economic Development Corporation: EDC will in-source a marketing contract, saving $626,000 in FY27.

Fire Department: FDNY has negotiated lower rates with telecommunications providers saving $700,000 in FY26 and $2.2 million in FY27. It will also begin billing Medicaid for “Treat No Transport” services following recent State and Federal approvals, saving $10.1 million in FY27.

Health + Hospitals: H+H will negotiate contract rebates, reduce reliance on temporary staffing agencies through in-sourcing, cut overtime and improve revenue collection. This will save $14.1 million in FY26 and $25.7 million in FY27.

Mayor’s Office of Nonprofit Services: MONS will eliminate a consultant contract and in-source these services, saving $400,000 in FY26.

NYC Aging: Aging will in-source a consultant contract, saving $411,000 in FY27.

NYC Emergency Management: NYCEM will in-source a software maintenance contract. This will save approximately $63,000 in FY27. The agency will also transition certain software programs to a more cost-effective platform. This will save approximately $70,000 in FY27.

New York City Public Schools: NYCPS will terminate underutilized contracts and implement spending caps, generating $30.3 million in savings in FY27. In addition, NYCPS will introduce controls on central office spending across supplies, equipment, professional development and travel, resulting in $27.5 million in savings in FY26.

Mayor’s Office of Management and Budget: OMB will reduce office lease costs, saving $90,000 in FY27.

Office of Technology and Innovation: OTI will renegotiate its’ technology contracts, eliminate duplicative hardware and software and right-size consultant agreements. These actions will save $1.3 million in FY 2026 and $1.2 million in FY 2027.

Office of Labor Relations: OLR will conduct a full audit of dependent eligibility in employee health plans. Ineligible dependents will be removed from coverage. This is expected to save approximately $100 million in FY27.

Taxi and Limousine Commission: TLC will cancel its Slack subscription, saving nearly $20,000 in FY27.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES REDESIGNED BIKE AND PEDESTRIAN CONNECTION TO BROOKLYN BRIDGE AHEAD OF WORLD CUP

Street redesign will permanently expand access to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan and improve safety ahead of World Cup surge in visitors

Current (T) and future (B) design of the Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian and cyclist entrance in Manhattan. Credit: NYC DOT

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced that the City will begin a critical street redesign project this spring to permanently improve bike and pedestrian access to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan. The new design builds on prior Mamdani administration efforts to expand accessibility and strengthen infrastructure ahead of the FIFA World Cup.

The project will add a new, dedicated bike connection to the bridge along Centre Street at its Manhattan entrance, creating fully separate bike and pedestrian access for the first time. Work will begin in the coming weeks and be completed ahead of the tournament’s June start, dramatically improving access to one of the City’s most congested areas.

“Since taking office, our administration has been guided by a simple promise: streets that are safe and accessible for every New Yorker,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Whether you’re driving, walking or biking across the Brooklyn Bridge, you deserve to get where you’re going with ease and without fear. This new design will better protect cyclists and pedestrians as we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup — and show that our streets truly reflect the best of New York City.”

“Separating bike and pedestrian traffic on the Brooklyn Bridge has been an unmitigated success. But cyclists and pedestrians are still forced to navigate around each other as they enter and exit the bridge in Manhattan — and that disorder would only get worse this summer when we expect a massive increase in visitors to this iconic landmark,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “This redesign will build on the success of the bridge’s protected bike lane and greatly improve the experience for pedestrians and cyclists visiting the Brooklyn Bridge, creating more organized access ahead of the surge in visitors this summer for the World Cup.”

“As we prepare for millions of visitors this summer for the World Cup, New Yorkers can expect a number of permanent improvements to our streetscapes that will make our streets safer and more accessible long after the tournament ends,” said World Cup Czar Maya Handa. “Our goal is to ensure that whether it’s through improved streets or neighborhood activations throughout the summer, all New Yorkers benefit from the World Cup.”

Pedestrians queuing across both bike and pedestrian access points to the Brooklyn Bridge in Manhattan. Under the new design, this crosswalk will be widened to reflect pedestrians access to both ramps. Credit: NYC DOT

Nearly 30,000 pedestrians and more than 5,600 cyclists use the Brooklyn Bridge on an average day. In 2021, NYC DOT separated bike and pedestrian traffic on the bridge by installing dedicated, two-way bike lanes on the Manhattan-bound roadway. The remarkably successful project transformed the pedestrian experience while significantly increasing cycling volumes. Daily ridership has more than doubled — from 2,652 daily cyclists in 2021 to 5,625 in 2025 — while cycling volumes have remained steady or increased across other East River bridge.

This entry redesign builds on that success by fully separating pedestrians and cyclists at the Manhattan approach, where they are currently required to share space. As part of the project, NYC DOT will double the width of the southern crosswalk between the bridge and City Hall Park, creating additional space for pedestrians.

The Brooklyn Bridge entrance upgrade is the latest in a series of street redesign projects the Mamdani administration is prioritizing ahead of the World Cup. NYC DOT also plans to deliver a redesign of Ninth Avenue in Hell’s Kitchen by widening its congested sidewalks, expanding bike lanes and extending the bus lane north of 50th Street. Additional improvements will better connect Lower Manhattan to Union Square, including upgrading cycling infrastructure along Lafayette Street and widening sidewalks near Union Square. Most upgrades are expected to be announced and installed this spring.

“For years, the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge has been a chaotic and dangerous intersection for cyclists and pedestrians,” said Assemblymember Grace Lee. “I am grateful that Mayor Mamdani and DOT are implementing an immediate redesign to separate the bike and pedestrian entrances. This fix will not only improve safety during the surge of visitors this summer but will help protect commuters and local residents for years to come.”

“Every day, thousands of Manhattan residents, workers and visitors rely on the Brooklyn Bridge, but current conditions have created avoidable safety risks and congestion at its Manhattan entrance,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “This redesign is a smart, long-overdue investment that will make this critical gateway into Lower Manhattan safer and more accessible for everyone. I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for advancing a project that prioritizes safety and improves how we move through one of the busiest corridors in our borough. As we prepare to welcome the world for the FIFA World Cup, these improvements will help ensure Manhattan is ready.”

“The Brooklyn Bridge is a New York icon, and it’s past time that getting to it by bike or on foot is safe and straightforward,” said Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. “This project will deliver much needed infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians in one of the most congested corridors in the city. With the FIFA World Cup bringing millions of visitors to New York this summer, the timing couldn’t be better.”

“I cycle in this area almost daily, so I know firsthand how crowded and chaotic the Manhattan entrance can be,” said Council Member Chris Marte. “For too long, pedestrians and cyclists have been forced into the same congested space at one of the busiest points in Lower Manhattan. This redesign is a commonsense step that will finally create safer, clearer access to the bridge and make it easier for the thousands of people who rely on it every day. With even more visitors expected this summer, these improvements are arriving not a moment too soon.”

“Credit to DOT for safely redesigning access for cyclists to the Brooklyn Bridge from Park Row,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “The dedicated protected bike lane on the Brooklyn Bridge has phenomenally increased ridership — but it is treacherous for cyclists coming from or heading south of the Brooklyn Bridge. Creating a safe path for cyclists will make this entire area safer for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists alike.”

“The Brooklyn Bridge is both a vital transportation link and an iconic landmark destination — a Times Square in the sky with more than 10 million annual visitors,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Giving pedestrians and cyclists separate lanes on the bridge was a major step forward, but they were still competing for space at the bridge’s entrance. The redesign being announced today will finally fix that issue, allowing New Yorkers on bikes to get on and off the bridge easily, and in turn giving pedestrians more room to walk. This project is a win-win, and it’s wise to complete it ahead of the World Cup, when there will be even more people on the bridge — both on two feet and two wheels.”

“Every New Yorker who has walked or biked across the Brooklyn Bridge has experienced the frustrating bottleneck at its entrance,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. “This path has been a free-for-all for decades, with pedestrians, tourists and cyclists jostling for limited space. These much-needed improvements are in line with the volume of bike use the bridge sees every day. We’re delighted that one of New York’s great public works will get the upgrade it deserves before the World Cup.”

“The Brooklyn Bridge is one of the most iconic and heavily traveled corridors in New York City, and this redesign is long overdue,” said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. “Creating safe, dedicated space for cyclists and pedestrians will reduce conflicts, improve safety and better reflect how New Yorkers and visitors should be moving through our city — safely, efficiently and sustainably. This is the most significant improvement to bike and pedestrian access to the bridge since the City reclaimed space from cars in 2021 to create a two-way protected bike lane. It’s exactly the kind of bold, people-first investment we need for a safer, more accessible and more sustainable New York City.”

“We’re really happy to see this planned redesign of the Brooklyn Bridge’s Manhattan entrance, which has always seemed to suffer from too many people trying to fit into too small a space,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director, StreetsPAC. “Providing separate access points for both people on foot and people on bikes will make navigating the entrance easier and safer for everyone, and we’re excited to see that the new configuration will be implemented so quickly. Kudos to the Mayor and Commissioner for making this work a priority.”

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES BACK HOME UNIT AND GUIDE TO HELP NEW YORKERS RECOVER AFTER EMERGENCIES

New unit will coordinate services for residents displaced by fires and other disasters

NEW YORK – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani launched the new Back Home Unit in the Office of Housing Recovery Operations (HRO), a new initiative to help New Yorkers displaced by fires and other disasters return home more quickly and with greater support.

The Back Home Unit launches alongside the Back Home NYC guide, an interagency resource outlining services available after a disaster, and a revamped digital vacate order tracker designed to improve coordination and transparency, ensuring New Yorkers can return home as soon as it is safe.

The Back Home Unit will serve as a centralized hub for displaced tenants, providing a single point of contact to coordinate services, respond to resident needs, share real-time updates on inspections, facilitate access to belongings and notify residents when vacate orders are lifted.

The initiative follows the passage of the Back Home Act, led by Council Members Jennifer Gutiérrez and Shekar Krishnan, which aims to strengthen the City’s response to emergency displacement and recovery.

“When New Yorkers are forced from their homes by a fire or other disaster, the last thing they should have to face is a maze of government bureaucracy. The Back Home Unit is about dignity and urgency – cutting through red tape and standing alongside our neighbors in a moment of crisis,” said Mayor Mamdani. “When disaster strikes, you deserve a City that shows up for you and fights to get you home. That’s what our administration will deliver.”

“Whether you need support with where to go and what to do next, understanding your rights as a tenant or knowing when you can return home, the Back Home Unit and guide are here to help you every step of the way. With the creation of this Unit, we’re building a government that works for New Yorkers and delivers the clarity and care New Yorkers deserve in their most difficult moments,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“This is one of those moments where you see why the work matters. After local fires, after every family I sat with who didn’t know where to go or who to call, when even my team hit wall after wall – I knew City government had to do better. The Back Home Unit is proof that it can. A real office, a real team, a real budget that is dedicated entirely to getting displaced New Yorkers back home. I’m grateful to the Mayor for fast-tracking this and to every neighbor whose story made this legislation possible,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez.

The Back Home Unit will coordinate services across City agencies, including the Department of Buildings, the Department of Housing Preservation and Development and the Fire Department.

The new Back Home NYC guide provides a one-stop overview of available services and next steps after a disaster, including short- and long-term shelter options, how to recover or replace essential documents, landlords’ responsibilities and tenants’ rights, as well as protections for students and workers.

Delivering on Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to public excellence, the Back Home Unit also introduced an improved digital portal to track vacate orders, streamline agency coordination and provide timely updates to residents as buildings are cleared for reentry.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION SECURES NEARLY $2M IN RESTITUTION FOR 800+ FAST-FOOD AND RETAIL WORKERS

Mayor Mamdani kicks off ‘Tackle Corruption and Waste Week’

Mamdani administration has secured more than $8.5M in restitution since taking office

NEW YORK – TODAY, over YouTube Live while eating a Crunchwrap Supreme, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the filing of an enforcement petition against QSR Management LLC, a Dunkin’ franchisee that operates locations in Staten Island, seeking monetary relief for workers and civil penalties.

The petition alleges that QSR Management LLC and managing corporate officer Ronny Nader violated the rights of approximately 1,000 workers under the Fair Workweek Law and Protected Time Off Law.

The Mamdani Administration also announced settlements with two companies that will provide more than 830 workers with more than $1.8 million to resolve violations of the Fair Workweek Law. In addition to restitution, Dunkin’ & Taco Bell franchisee Salz Management LLC and premium fashion retailer Theory will pay more than $176,000 in civil penalties and costs.

“Today’s settlements are about more than financial compensation for working New Yorkers —though that relief matters. At their core, these actions are about restoring dignity on the job. Every worker deserves a predictable schedule — something stable enough to plan a life around, to care for family, to show up for the people who depend on them,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This city will not tolerate any corporation or franchisee that violates our Fair Workweek laws, or any of the labor protections that workers fought for and won. We will keep enforcing those laws, so that every New Yorker knows their rights and can count on this city to defend them.”

“When we talk about economic justice, we mean protecting New Yorkers’ time. A fair economy is one where working people have the right to a predictable schedule, allowing them to plan and enjoy life outside of work. This lawsuit and these settlements are further evidence that the Mamdani Administration is fighting on behalf of workers and for employers who follow the law,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

“Today’s actions kick off the Mayor’s Tackle Corruption and Waste Week with a clear message. If DCWP sees you break the law, we will not hesitate to bring you to court – especially when it comes to repeat scofflaws, like QSR Management and Mr. Nader,” said New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protections (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine. “Compliance is not optional.”

The Mamdani Administration is urging all workers who believe their rights have been violated to file a complaint by visiting nyc.gov/workers or by calling 311. Since Jan. 1, 2026, the Administration has secured more than $8.5 million in restitution for New York City workers, including more than $500,000 for freelancers ripped off by production company Splashlight and nearly $5 million for Uber Eats, Fantuan and HungryPanda delivery workers.

Details of the Enforcement Actions

On Monday, DCWP filed a petition at the Office of Administrative Trials and Hearings (OATH) against QSR Management LLC and Ronny Nader. The petition alleges that approximately 1,000 workers across 21 Staten Island locations experienced thousands of violations of the Fair Workweek Law and Protected Time Off Law. Under the law, each worker is owed between $200 to $500 per violation, and workers may be entitled to relief for multiple violations per week.

DCWP previously resolved a 2022 case involving one of Nader’s locations, securing $187,000 in relief for 112 workers. Subsequent complaints led to the broader, company-wide investigation.

Salz Management LLC will pay more than $1.5 million in restitution to more than 760 workers and more than $155,000 in civil penalties and costs. The investigation found violations at 24 locations across Manhattan and Queens, including failure to provide schedules 14 days in advance, failure to obtain consent for schedule changes and failure to pay required premiums.

Theory LLC, a premium fashion retailer, will pay more than $277,000 to more than 60 workers and more than $21,000 in civil penalties and costs. At two Manhattan locations, the company failed to provide advance schedules, obtain consent for added hours and provide adequate notice for shift cancellations. Workers do not need to file a complaint to receive a payment. Checks or direct deposits will begin in April 2026 for Theory workers and August 2026 for Salz Management workers.

NYC Worker Protection Laws

DCWP enforces the City’s Fair Workweek Law, which guarantees predictable schedules and protections for fast food and retail workers, and the Protected Time Off Law, which ensures workers have access to paid and unpaid leave for illness, caregiving and other needs.

Workers and employers can visit nyc.gov/workers or call 311 for more information to file a complaint. Complaints may be filed anonymously, and retaliation is illegal.

Under the law, fast food employers in NYC:

Must give workers regular schedules that stay the same week-to-week;

Must give workers work schedules 14 days in advance of the start of the schedule;

Must pay premiums for schedule changes and “clopenings”;

Must give workers a chance to say no to extra work and to “clopenings”;

Must give current workers the opportunity to work more regular hours before hiring new employees;

Cannot fire or reduce the hours of a worker by more than 15% without just cause or a legitimate business reason;

Must reinstate laid off employees by seniority when hours become available.

Under NYC’s Fair Workweek Law, retail employers:

Must give workers their work schedules 72 hours before the first shift on the schedule;

Cannot schedule employees for on-call shifts;

Cannot cancel a scheduled shift with less than 72 hours’ notice;

Cannot require an employee to work with less than 72 hours’ notice, unless the employee agrees.

DCWP also enforces the Protected Time Off Law, in effect since 2014 and formerly known as the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law. Under this law, covered employees have the right to protected time off and paid prenatal leave:

Most employees have a right to up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year.

Employees also have 32 hours of unpaid protected time off from the beginning of employment.

Employees can take protected time off for many reasons, including childcare, illness, medical appointments, and more.

Employers must provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off.

AHEAD OF OPENING DAY, MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION BREAKS GROUND ON PROJECT TO IMPROVE BRONX CROSSTOWN BUS SERVICE AND SAFETY NEAR YANKEE STADIUM

Project will deliver faster, safer and easier commutes for more than 25,000 daily bus riders

Bx6 Select Bus Service at East 161st Street and Sherman Avenue

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn and Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle today announced the start of a major project to improve Bronx crosstown bus service and street safety near Yankee Stadium.

The project will add westbound bus-only lanes, including converting the 161st Street underpass to buses only. The redesign also includes pedestrian safety upgrades and new amenities for bus riders — such as bus shelters, benches and leaning bars, along with pedestrian refuges and infrastructure to make boarding buses safer and more accessible.

With baseball’s Opening Day later this week, the project will speed up bus service and improve safety around Yankee Stadium, which sees more than three million visitors each year. The corridor serves 25,000 daily riders on the Bx6 Select Bus Service (SBS) line.

“Unfortunately, as the Mayor of New York City, I must deliver fast and reliable buses for Yankees fans as well,” said Mayor Mamdani. “I can think of no better way to welcome the start of baseball season than by breaking ground on a project that will make commutes faster, streets safer and daily life a little easier for tens of thousands of New Yorkers every day.”

“Improving the bus-rider and pedestrian experiences for those who visit or live in the South Bronx is a home run for all New Yorkers,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “From Fordham Road to Yankee Stadium, this administration is doubling down to deliver better buses and safer streets.”

“This project will help link some of the busiest areas of Manhattan and the Bronx with a fast and safe bus route and access to vital civic resources, moving closer to the administration’s goal of a great bus network for every neighborhood,” said NYC DDC Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. “DDC is phasing the construction so as to not interfere with baseball season but we are hard at work in other areas so that we can meet the 2028 completion date.”

“We are pleased that the City is moving forward with the long-planned effort to make 161st Street more bus friendly,” said MTA New York City Transit Executive Vice President of Buses Frank Farrell. “It’s good news for South Bronx bus riders, and we look forward to celebrating even more improvements throughout the five boroughs because nothing makes buses faster than clear streets.”

The project will reconstruct and redesign East 161st Street from Ruppert Place to Morris Avenue, including portions of East 163rd Street between Washington Avenue and Tiffany Street, as well as segments of the Bx6-SBS route in Manhattan.

As part of the redesign, the City will create a fully protected, center-running bus lane along East 161st Street from Concourse Village West to just west of River Avenue — one of the only corridors of its kind in New York City. Construction has already begun on East 163rd Street between Intervale Avenue and Tiffany Street.

Better Bus Service

The project will upgrade the existing eastbound bus tunnel under the Grand Concourse to bus-only use in both directions. Currently, the tunnel is restricted to eastbound buses. To complement this change, three blocks of westbound 161st Street on either side of the tunnel will also be converted to bus-only, easing congestion at key bottlenecks.

The City will install full-length concrete boarding islands along center-running bus lanes to improve safety, shorten pedestrian crossing distances and prevent vehicles from blocking bus lanes. Additional improvements include sidewalk extensions, known as bus bulbs, at bus stops along the Bx6 route to speed up boarding and create space for seating and bus shelters.

Improved Pedestrian Safety

Curb extensions, medians and pedestrian refuge islands will shorten crossing distances and improve visibility. Existing painted safety features will be upgraded to concrete and extend the sidewalk out to new curblines.

Pedestrian refuge islands have been shown to reduce deaths and serious injuries by 35.5%, while curb and sidewalk extensions reduce them by 34.1%. The City will also rebuild, expand and landscape medians at East 161st Street and River Avenue, just outside of Yankee Stadium.

Infrastructure Improvements

The project includes 370 ADA-compliant pedestrian ramps, 57 new trees and approximately 8,000 plantings of grass and perennials. More than 100 new street lighting and traffic signal poles will be installed, and 16 fire hydrants will be upgraded.

Crews will reconstruct about 45,000 square yards of roadway and upgrade or add more than 180,000 square feet of sidewalk. Below ground, more than 4,500 feet of water mains and sewers will be upgraded, and additional catch basins will be added to improve drainage.

The project follows extensive community engagement and has support from local community boards. Construction is expected to continue through 2028.

City agencies have developed a traffic mitigation plan to minimize traffic disruptions during Yankees games.

“Public transit is not a side issue in working-class communities—it is the infrastructure of daily life,” said New York State Senator Robert Jackson. “For the thousands who rely on the Bx6 each day, a slow bus is not an inconvenience—it is time taken from work, from school and from family. For too long, communities like the Bronx have carried that burden through delayed service and unsafe streets. This project begins to change that—delivering faster buses, safer corridors and a system that respects the urgency of people’s lives. Because when transit works, opportunity is no longer out of reach—it arrives on time.”

“I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani, NYC DOT, and DDC for advancing these important improvements along the Bx6 corridor in Manhattan, strengthening a critical connection between Manhattan and the Bronx,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “With Opening Day here, it’s especially important that we’re investing in faster, more reliable bus service and safer streets for the thousands of New Yorkers traveling between our boroughs each day. I look forward to the benefits for riders and neighborhoods on both sides of the Harlem River.”

“Get ready for a strike down the middle! Better bus service and safer streets go hand in hand, and this project delivers both,” said New York City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. “This is an important step from the City to deliver on its promise of fast, reliable buses. I’m excited to see this investment in protected, center-running bus lanes and look forward to working with the Mayor to bring more projects like this to neighborhoods across the city.”

“Fully protected center-running bus lanes, plus other upgrades for speed, safety and comfort, are good news for Bronx riders and show the type of commitment riders want to see citywide,” said Betsy Plum, Executive Director, Riders Alliance. “We look forward to the rollout this spring and are eager to see these bus service improvements show up in our lives and take root in our community. Projects like these that save time and dignify bus commutes are an essential part of building a city that all New Yorkers can afford.”

“The Bx6 is a critical crosstown corridor whose buses have been moving too slowly for far too long,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives. “We’re thrilled this project will include a fully-protected two-way center-running bus lane — a gold-standard design which will speed up travel for tens of thousands of New Yorkers, including those trying to catch the game at Yankee Stadium! Paired with new safety infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists, this ambitious project will bring much-needed upgrades to the streets of the Bronx.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MAMDANI ON THE RELEASE OF DYLAN LOPEZ CONTRERAS

NEW YORK – In response to the news of the release of Dylan Lopez Contreras, the first New York City public school student detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:

Our City is overjoyed that Dylan has finally been released from detention and will be back home with his loved ones in the Bronx.

What should have been a time for him to focus on finishing high school instead became ten long months of isolation, after he was taken into custody at what was supposed to be a routine immigration hearing last May.

Throughout this injustice, Dylan has shown remarkable strength, resilience, and courage. I wish him a smooth and joyful return to his life, his community, and his future here in New York City. He is a New Yorker, and our city is glad to have him home.

ICYMI: MAYOR MAMDANI AND SENATOR WARREN: “UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE IS A CORNERSTONE OF ECONOMIC FREEDOM”

Read the full piece in USA TODAY here.

NEW YORK – In a new opinion piece, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) come together to celebrate universal child care for what it truly is — a transformative investment in working people and the broader economy.

Writing for USA TODAY, Mayor Mamdani and Senator Warren break down how guaranteeing free and high-quality child care would not only ease the crushing financial burden on families, but also expand workforce participation, support early childhood development, reduce inequities and strengthen long-term economic growth.

“If we want to protect the American dream, we begin with childcare. Affordable childcare means parents are no longer forced to choose between raising their children and keeping their jobs. It means better outcomes for kids. And frankly, for all of us.”

The piece coincides with recent and historic steps by the Mamdani administration to deliver universal child care for New York City families. In the past month, Mayor Mamdani has announced more than 1,000 new 3-K seats in neighborhoods with high demand and launched 2,000 free 2-K seats in four communities across the city, made possible by a $1.2 billion investment by Governor Hochul on just day eight of his mayoral administration.

In case you missed it, read the full USA TODAY piece below:

Mayor Mamdani, Sen. Warren: Everyone benefits from universal childcare

March 19, 2026

The two of us live very different lives. One of us is a grandmother to three exceptional grandchildren. The other receives near-daily phone calls from his mother asking when the grandchildren will arrive.

And yet, despite those differences, we share a simple conviction: Every family in New York City ‒ and in America ‒ has a right to childcare.

In January, New York City announced a historic new investment in universal childcare. Through a partnership struck between City Hall and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, free, universal childcare will soon be expanded to every 2- and 3-year-old across the five boroughs.

Even for a city that constantly reinvents itself, this is a seismic shift.

Universal childcare can restore workforce, jump-starting the economy

It will be felt in the lives of children who grow up happier and healthier. Kids who attend preschool are nearly 6% more likely to attend college. It will also be felt by families who suddenly have an additional $20,000 or more per year, per child, in their pockets.

And it will be felt when our economy is energized by parents who can stay in their jobs, by businesses that can attract and retain top talent who might otherwise be priced out of this city, and by an increase in economic activity to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.

The case for universal childcare is overwhelming. It’s the kind of investment Wall Street would tout: Every dollar spent on early childhood care can return as much as $13. It restores the workforce. After Quebec introduced universal childcare, women’s participation in the workforce increased by 16 percentage points.

It also addresses one of the greatest threats to our economy: families being pushed out of the places they call home.

Childcare isn’t just care. It’s basic infrastructure, as essential to a thriving society as roads, bridges and public transit ‒ the foundation upon which a vibrant, flourishing society can be built.

The change New York City will soon experience is already underway in New Mexico, which launched a groundbreaking universal childcare program in November. But this progress shouldn’t be limited only to states that begin with the word “new.” Every family ‒ from Alaska to Florida ‒ deserves the same opportunity.

If we want to protect the American dream, we begin with childcare.

Adults shouldn’t have to choose between career and kids

Affordable childcare means parents are no longer forced to choose between raising their children and keeping their jobs. It means better outcomes for kids. And frankly, for all of us.

By committing to build childcare infrastructure, we also have an opportunity to invest in childcare workers and to ensure that they are paid commensurate with their training and experience.

Currently, these workers are caught in a squeeze because wages are inadequate but parents cannot afford to pay more. The result is that 60% of childcare centers are short-staffed.

We invest in firefighters and road maintenance crews by paying living wages; we should make the same investments in people who care for our babies. In fact, universal childcare may be one of the most powerful tools we have to make life more affordable for American families.

Affordability is a key midterm elections issue

As the Democratic Party heads into the November elections, before gearing up for a historic presidential contest in 2028, we should build our platform around policies that are both incredibly popular across party lines and materially improve working people’s lives.

Americans have been clear about their biggest concern: affordability.

Universal childcare answers that concern directly. For decades, the Republican Party has championed a trickle-down economic theory that enriches billionaires, deepens inequality, drives up inflation and leaves working families in the dirt. It’s time for a different approach, one that puts a dignified life within reach by investing public dollars to improve the lives of working people.

When President Franklin D. Roosevelt enacted the New Deal, government made people’s lives better. When President Lyndon B. Johnson pursued the Great Society, government made people’s lives better.

When New York City delivers free, universal childcare, government will once again make people’s lives better.

However, when the government hands out more tax cuts to millionaires and billionaires, it improves life for only a handful of the richest people in this country ‒ while making life harder for millions more.

We should not have to dust off history books to find examples of the Democratic Party leading with courage and ambition. With universal childcare, we can transform our economy, transform the lives of parents and children, and transform how Americans see government.

We’re in the fight to get it done.

Zohran Mamdani is the mayor of New York City. Elizabeth Warren is the senior U.S. senator from Massachusetts.

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR MAMDANI ON THE RELEASE OF LEQAA KORDIA

NEW YORK – In response to the news of the release of Leqaa Kordia from federal detention, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement.

In my meeting with President Trump last month, we discussed ICE’s actions at Columbia University. I asked that the federal government release Leqaa Kordia and drop the cases against four others.

I am grateful that Leqaa has been released this evening from ICE custody after more than a year in detention for speaking up for Palestinian rights.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES END TO CRIMINAL ENFORCEMENT FOR MINOR TRAFFIC OFFENSES FOR CYCLISTS AND E-BIKE RIDERS; WILL DEVELOP LEGISLATION TO IMPROVE STREET SAFETY

New York City Police Department will stop issuing criminal summonses for e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced a sweeping set of policies to end criminal enforcement against e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses, expand safety training for all e-bike and bicycle delivery workers, enhance Citi Bike safety features and strengthen accountability for app-based delivery companies.

Beginning Friday, March 27, the New York City Police Department (NYPD)’s policy under the prior administration of issuing criminal summonses to e-bike riders and cyclists for low-level traffic offenses will be rescinded. Under that policy, riders could be criminally charged for minor violations such as disobeying a stop sign — forcing them to appear in criminal court, with failure to appear risking a bench warrant or arrest.

Under the Mamdani administration, these violations will instead be addressed through the same civil summons process as motorists. This change ensures accountability while ending a punitive system that has disproportionately burdened working New Yorkers.

In tandem, the Mayor and the New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) will launch a robust, comprehensive safety training program for delivery workers and work with the City Council to pursue legislation to address unsafe practices by third-party delivery app companies — practices that often incentivize dangerous riding through unrealistic delivery times.

Proposed legislation will require delivery platforms to share trip-level data with NYC DOT to inform safer delivery standards and comply with those standards. The City will also seek authority to mandate enhanced training for delivery workers who repeatedly engage in unsafe riding behavior.

“Every New Yorker on our roads, whether driving or biking, deserves to be treated fairly. By ending criminal summonses for low-level traffic offenses, we’re ensuring cyclists and e-bike riders — including those who deliver our food and groceries — are treated like others on the road,” said Mayor Mamdani. “At the same time, we’re making our streets safer for everyone. In partnership with the City Council, we’ll strengthen safety standards, hold app companies accountable and expand training for delivery riders. This balanced approach supports riders while protecting pedestrians and motorists — and moves us closer to making our streetscape the envy of the world.”

“Every New Yorker deserves a workplace where their safety and dignity are the top priority — including the delivery cyclists who serve our city day and night, through blizzards and downpours,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “For too long, third-party delivery companies have incentivized dangerous cycling behavior without proper oversight or accountability. To truly deliver safe streets for all New Yorkers, we will be taking a multipronged approach that holds delivery companies accountable for their impact on street safety, provides training and resources to delivery workers and expands bold new street designs that better accommodate e-bike riders and pedestrians.”

“Delivery workers have one of the most dangerous jobs in the city, and I commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for these critical efforts to address unsafe corporate practices that play out on our streets,” said NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “When delivery apps push workers to speed through unreasonable quotas or unrealistic delivery times, it creates a dangerous streetscape for every New Yorker. DCWP will use any and every tool at its disposal to support our DOT colleagues’ street safety initiatives and ensure apps are held accountable.”

“I applaud Mayor Mamdani for taking a real step toward making our streets safer. If we’re serious about safety, we have to address the root causes of dangerous riding, and that includes the systems pushing people on bikes to take risks,” said City Council Majority Leader and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Shaun Abreu. “Our path forward must include holding delivery app companies accountable for unrealistic timelines, investing in real training for workers and continuing to redesign our streets so everyone has a safe place to be, whether you’re walking, biking or driving.”

“Better data is essential to understanding how delivery activity impacts street safety and to shaping effective policy,” said Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “Safer streets require a clear understanding of how deliveries are happening across the city, and I appreciate the administration’s recognition of this legislation and the broader need to address e-bike safety. I look forward to working with the administration to move this forward.”

“The end of criminal enforcement for minor traffic offenses for cyclists and e-bike riders is a major step forward. For too long, app delivery companies have built business models that push workers to speed, work long hours and ride in unsafe conditions — making delivery one of the most dangerous jobs in New York City. One in five delivery workers has been injured on the job, and half have experienced accidents while working,” said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director, Workers Justice Project / Los Deliveristas Unidos. “We applaud Mayor Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Flynn for taking bold action to hold these billion-dollar companies accountable. This is a crucial step toward addressing the root causes of unsafe delivery work, and we look forward to advancing a comprehensive worker justice platform that makes delivery work safer and creates safer streets for e-bike riders, pedestrians and all New Yorkers.”

“Finally, Mayor Mamdani is ending the previous administration’s wrongheaded and bizarre targeting of New Yorkers on bikes,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director, Transportation Alternatives. “We’re happy that criminal summonses are finally ending for bike riders, and the era of punishing bike riders criminally, while just giving drivers traffic tickets for the same infraction, has come to an end. Everyone deserves to feel safe on our streets and sidewalks, and we look forward to working with the Mayor, the City Council and the entire bicycling community to make sure everyone is safe and respected as we get around. With thoughtful regulation of the delivery industry, higher quality infrastructure so there is a safe place for everyone on the road, and meaningful education and support for safe operation, we can realize Mayor Mamdani’s vision to make our streets the envy of the world.”

“We’re thrilled that Mayor Mamdani is directing the NYPD to reverse the discriminatory practice of issuing criminal summonses to cyclists that was implemented by the preceding administration,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director, StreetsPAC. “Criminally charging someone riding a bike for an infraction for which the driver of a 400-horsepower, three-ton SUV only receives a traffic ticket makes no sense and does nothing to improve safety, and we’re grateful that City Hall is righting that wrong. What does improve safety is reducing or eliminating the perverse incentives that lead to unsafe behaviors, like delivery-app algorithms that set unrealistic delivery expectations, and enhancing training and education. We’re excited to support the Mamdani administration and NYC DOT in moving forward with these important initiatives.”

As part of this initiative, the City will launch an enhanced safety training program in April for all bicycle and e-bike delivery workers. The program — accessible online through secure accounts and available in six languages — will cover workers’ rights and responsibilities, safe e-bike and bicycle operation and traffic laws. NYC DOT will oversee compliance and implement the program in partnership with delivery worker advocates to ensure that trainings are completed and workers’ rights are protected in the process.

The Mamdani administration will also partner with Lyft, operator of Citi Bike, to introduce hardware upgrades that deter multiple riders on a single bike and to amplify a forthcoming education and safety campaign in collaboration with Transportation Alternatives. The City will continue to work with Citi Bike’s operator and stakeholders to advance additional safety enhancements in the future.

Finally, the Mamdani administration will work with the City Council to develop legislation addressing the root causes of unsafe e-bike and cycling delivery practices. The legislation will:

Require third-party delivery companies to provide trip-level data on deliveries, worker penalties and safety incidents to NYC DOT;
Authorize the City to establish safe delivery time standards and regulate penalties imposed on workers;
Authorize NYC DOT to require enhanced training for delivery workers who repeatedly engage in unsafe e-bike and cyclist behavior; and
Expand commercial delivery safety and training requirements to cover all two-wheeled devices, including mopeds and motorcycles.

MAYOR MAMDANI UNVEILS NEW TOOLS AND FINANCING TO HELP HOMEOWNERS ADD ANCILLARY DWELLING UNITS

“ADU for You” guide and nearly a dozen pre-approved plans will help homeowners add backyard cottages and other small secondary homes to their property

City to reopen applications for “Plus One ADU” program that provides financial assistance to homeowners

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani unveiled a new set of tools to make it easier for homeowners to stay in their communities and bring in extra income by adding an ancillary dwelling unit (ADU) to their property. The city’s new ADU for You website features an ADU Guidebook, a growing Pre-Approved Plan Library, and site feasibility analysis and cost estimating tools to help homeowners navigate bureaucratic and financing details when adding an ADU such as a backyard cottage or “in-law unit.”

The City will also newly reopen applications for the Plus One ADU program, which offers financial and technical assistance to qualified homeowners to add an ADU. The Plus One ADU program, established with City funding and grants provided by the New York State Homes and Community Renewal, and operated in partnership Restored Homes HDFC, provides homeowners with up to $395,000 in financial support and technical assistance to add an ADU. The program saw overwhelming interest from New Yorkers when it first launched, receiving over 1,300 submissions within two weeks, but has been closed to new applicants since February 2024.

“One of the solutions to the housing crisis can be found in our backyards, our attics, or our basements – in an Ancillary Dwelling Unit. That’s why our administration is making it easier and more affordable to build an ADU through a library of pre-approved plans and new financing options,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By making it easier for New Yorkers to turn their homes into an extra place for a loved one or a little more income, we’re allowing our city to grow while keeping the character of the neighborhoods we love.”

“In the midst of a dire housing crisis, ADUs are an important tool for homeowners to add space, bring in extra income, and stay in their communities – but creating an ADU can feel out of reach for too many New Yorkers. These new tools will help ensure that any New Yorker who wants to add an ADU is able to do,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “Whether you are interested in adding a new backyard cottage or converting an underused garage or attic into housing, we have resources to help guide you through the process.”

“Ancillary dwelling units have the potential of unlock thousands of safe, quality homes for New Yorkers in low density neighborhoods across the city,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “However, these homes will not get built if the permitting process places too many barriers in the way. Today’s announcement includes multiple tools that will help remove these barriers, including the new Pre-Approved Plan Library which gives New Yorkers a menu of potential design options that have already undergone an initial review by DOB for code-compliance leading to faster approvals.”

“By making it easier to navigate rules and offering pre-approved designs, this new homeowner toolkit will help New Yorkers turn the idea of an accessory dwelling unit into a reality,” said Sideya Sherman, Director of the Department of City Planning. “Building on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, this is another smart step to unlock housing, allow working families to earn additional income, and help seniors afford to age in place.”

“New York City needs more housing. Some of it is going to come from backyards and basements — and that is not a small thing. ADU for You makes it possible for homeowners who want to be part of the solution to actually do it, giving New Yorkers the plans, the financing, and a clear path forward,” said Dina Levy, Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner.

Thanks to City of Yes for Housing Opportunity and subsequent regulatory changes, one- and two-family homeowners in much of the city can add an ADU to their properties – a change that will help add housing options in low-density areas while maintaining the existing character.

In addition to helping homeowners understand the regulations and access financing to build an ADU, the Mamdani administration is also launching a simplified permitting process for pre-approved ADU plans. This pre-approved plan library is launching with eleven ADU designs that have already been reviewed and approved by the Department of Buildings (DOB). The city will connect homeowners who select an ADU option from this library with the registered design professional who created the design in order to obtain site-specific approval. DOB will review and add additional pre-approved plans as they are submitted by design professionals.

“Governor Hochul’s Plus One ADU Program is increasing housing supply and providing an extra source of income for homeowners in New York City and across the state. The $85 million program was launched in 2023 with the city of New York and six other partners – the program has since grown and we currently have 14 partners working to create more than 550 ADUs throughout the state. HCR is looking forward to seeing all 37 projects in New York City completed, and we are confident these projects will have a transformative effect on the City’s housing landscape,” said RuthAnne Visnauskas, Commissioner, New York State Homes and Community Renewal.

“WXY was proud to lead the City’s innovative effort to move accessory dwelling units forward in New York. ADUs can create new opportunities for homeowners to age in place, generate rental income, and make space for family, all while adding new housing in a way that enables gentle growth and helps keep the overall character of neighborhoods intact. That balance is the type of housing model that more cities should be looking to implement, and I’m excited to see New York City lead the way,” said Adam Lubinsky, Principal, WXY Architecture + Urban Design.

“Ancillary dwelling units, or ADUs, serve a dual purpose of increasing the stock of quality, affordable housing while providing supplemental income to homeowners seeking to remain in their homes and communities.” said Salvatore D’Avola, CEO, Restored Homes Housing Development Fund Corporation. “The new tools and resources being made available to the public through the “ADU for You” program will provide critical guidance and information for homeowners interested in adding an ADU. We continue to be proud of our participation in the City’s efforts to promote ADUs and are ready to respond to inquiries through our Resource Center.”

“Accessory Dwelling Units are a smart way to expand housing while supporting the homeowners who anchor our neighborhoods. Programs like ADU for You make it easier to safely convert existing space into legal homes—creating new housing, helping families generate income, and allowing more New Yorkers to age in place. Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County is proud to help homeowners navigate the process and be part of the solution to our housing shortage,” said Sabrina Lippman, CEO, Habitat for Humanity New York City & Westchester County.

“New Yorkers want the ability to grow older in the neighborhoods where they raised their families and built their lives,” said Beth Finkel, State Director, AARP New York. “We thank Mayor Mamdani for advancing tools that make it easier for homeowners to create accessory dwelling units. ADUs can help older homeowners remain in their communities by providing additional income that helps them afford to stay in their homes, while also making it easier and more affordable for family caregivers to live nearby. Expanding these options is an important step toward helping more New Yorkers age in place with dignity, independence, and the support they need.”

“New York City doesn’t just need more housing — it needs more kinds of housing, at a wider range of price points,” said Howard Slatkin, Executive Director, Citizens Housing and Planning Council. “CHPC’s polling of low-density neighborhood residents found that they struggle to find housing within their communities, and that rental units are particularly important to homeowners of color. ADUs help fill in gaps in our housing stock, to the benefit of both renters and homeowners. Measures like the pre-approved ADU plan library are important to bring these opportunities within reach of a more diverse range of homeowners.”

“This initiative is an important step toward making accessory dwelling units a more affordable and viable option for homeowners across New York City,” said Christie Peale, CEO and Executive Director, Center for NYC Neighborhoods. “By making ADU development more accessible, the City is giving homeowners a tangible opportunity to generate income, continue building intergenerational wealth, keep their families together, and stay in their communities. We commend the City for this commitment and look forward to seeing these tools reach the neighborhoods that need them most.”

“The City took a big step last year when it allowed more creation of Accessory Dwelling Units. Now we need to make it easy and inexpensive to actually construct one. The Plus One ADU program does just that, helping homeowners create more housing options throughout parts of the Five Boroughs where they have often been hard to find,” said Moses Gates, Vice President of Housing & Neighborhood Planning, Regional Plan Association.

“New Yorkers overwhelmingly agree we need to build more homes. City of Yes for Housing Opportunity began turning that broad consensus into policy—ADU for You puts that policy into action, helping homeowners and renters alike manage rising housing costs while adding homes in the neighborhoods of greatest need. A cottage for an aging parent. A first apartment for an adult child just starting out. A dedicated space for a caretaker or extended family. ADUs can help meet the housing needs of New York families of all cultures, life stages, and sizes. We are thrilled to see the Mamdani administration seizing this momentum to support more housing options for New Yorkers,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director, Open New York.

“We applaud Mayor Mamdani and his administration for expanding housing options for New Yorkers through ADUs,” said Rachel Fee, Executive Director, New York Housing Conference. “ADUs will provide affordable, flexible living arrangements for intergenerational families, seniors and caregivers across the five boroughs. We are excited to see the administration build on City of Yes for Housing Opportunity by offering tools that provide clear guidance and financial support so more New Yorkers can access and benefit from more housing.”

“ADU for You serves as a one-stop shop for homeowners, providing critical information to enable New Yorkers to take full advantage of the tools unlocked by City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” said Jesse Lazar, Executive Director, American Institute of Architects New York (AIANY). “The collection of pre-approved ADU designs showcases the opportunity to build various types of quality ADUs at different price points, utilizing a range of materials and creative design solutions that meet the unique needs of the homeowner.”

MAYOR MAMDANI AND COMMISSIONER TISCH ANNOUNCE CODIFICATION OF BODY-WORN CAMERA POLICY

NYPD policy now requires body-worn camera footage to be released within 30 days of critical incidents, formalizing a transparency practice

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch announced that the New York City Police Department (NYPD) has formally codified its practice of releasing body-worn camera footage within 30 calendar days of a critical incident.

The practice has been regularly followed during Commissioner Tisch’s tenure and is now a formal departmental requirement. The 30-day standard applies to incidents involving the discharge of a firearm by an officer that result in a member of the public being struck, as well as police use of force that results in serious injury or death. The Police Commissioner may also authorize the release of body-worn camera footage in other circumstances when doing so would help maintain public order or contribute to public safety.

“Transparency and accountability are the building blocks of public safety,” said Mayor Mamdani. “By codifying the timely release of body-worn camera footage, we are ensuring that New Yorkers receive timely information about critical incidents. This policy builds public trust and ensures our city receives answers while protecting the integrity of investigations.”

“Transparency is the key to maintaining trust between police and the communities we protect and serve,” said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. “Body-worn cameras provide clear and objective accounts of interactions involving the NYPD, showing the dangerous and difficult situations that officers often face while also ensuring we hold ourselves accountable when standards are not met. This formal commitment to release footage within 30 days of a critical incident is a continuation of my pledge to ensure transparency regarding the work of the Department.”

Uniformed members serving below the rank of Deputy Inspector are required to wear body-worn cameras. The NYPD’s body-worn camera program is the largest in the country, covering more than 29,500 officers. The program was launched and implemented when Commissioner Tisch previously served as NYPD Deputy Commissioner for Information Technology.

Officers are required to activate their cameras before taking police action.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES 15 MPH SLOW ZONES AT ALL ELIGIBLE NYC SCHOOLS BY END OF FIRST TERM IN LARGEST SAMMY’S LAW EXPANSION

City will implement 15 MPH School Slow Zones at an additional 800 school locations in 2026, bringing the citywide total to nearly 1,300 by the end of this calendar year

Every eligible public, private, parochial and charter K-12 school will see 15 MPH speed limits by end of first term

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner (NYC DOT) Mike Flynn today announced that NYC DOT will reduce the speed limit to 15 MPH at every eligible school location across the five boroughs by the end of Mayor Mamdani’s first term. The move is designed to protect children and their families on city streets and represents the largest increase to date in the city’s use of Sammy’s Law to reduce speed limits across the city.

More than 800 additional school locations will see speed limits reduced to 15 MPH this year, bringing the total school locations with 15 MPH speed limits to 1,300 by the end of the calendar year. The administration plans to expand 15 MPH School Slow Zones where eligible at all 2,300 school locations across the five boroughs by the end of Mayor Mamdani’s first term. These 2,300 school locations house 3,200 schools citywide, with some schools co-located. Implementation will be prioritized based on available safety data and other planned street safety improvements. Mayor Mamdani announced the news at Flushing International High School, which is co-located with J.H.S. 189 Daniel Carter Beard, where NYC DOT will today install a new 15 MPH speed limit for its School Slow Zone on 147th Street between Barclay Avenue and Sanford Avenue.

“Families spoke up after unimaginable loss to fight for Sammy’s Law and deliver our city the power to make our streets safer for New Yorkers,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Today’s expansion of Slow Zones for schools across all five boroughs is just the beginning. Lower speeds save lives, and we will use every tool at our disposal to protect our neighbors as they move about our city.”

“Our school children and their families should feel safe and comfortable as they travel to and from class. Speeding is the leading cause of traffic deaths, and even a small speed reduction can mean the difference between life and death in a crash,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “These speed limit reductions will follow our data-driven Vision Zero approach to deliver the greatest safety impact.”

This year, NYC DOT will implement 15 MPH speed limits at the roughly 700 school locations with existing 20 MPH School Slow Zones and establish about 100 new 15 MPH School Slow Zones at school locations with 25 MPH speed limits. NYC DOT will prioritize locations based on safety data. A pedestrian struck at 25 MPH is more than three times as likely to be seriously injured than a pedestrian struck at 15 MPH.

At each school, the agency will provide the mandatory 60-day notice and comment opportunity to the local community board before implementation of the new speed limit. At the most dangerous locations near schools, the agency will continue to focus on upgrading street and intersection designs to help naturally slow vehicles and improve safety, including elements like speed humps, hardened daylighting and other safety upgrades.

The City has so far lowered speed limits at just over 100 locations since the passage of Sammy’s Law in the spring of 2024, including a regional slow zone in each borough. In addition to today’s School Slow Zone expansion, NYC DOT will continue to explore additional opportunities to roll out lower speed limits across the city in the months ahead.

“Sammy’s Law will save lives wherever it is implemented,” said Amy Cohen, Founder & President of Families for Safe Streets. “In 2013, my 12-year-old son Sammy was struck and killed by a speeding driver in Brooklyn, and ever since, I’ve been fighting for safer speeds on our streets. Thank you to every member of Families for Safe Streets that fought for this, every elected official that stood with us, and every coalition partner that joined us through a long battle — today would not have happened without each and every one of you. We’re excited that the Mamdani administration is beginning to implement Sammy’s Law, and we eagerly await their plan for an even wider implementation.”

“I was proud to lead the fight in Albany alongside Assembly Member Rosenthal to pass Sammy’s Law because every New Yorker deserves streets that prioritize safety over speed,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “Lowering speed limits around our schools is one of the most effective ways to protect children and families. In Manhattan, where so many students walk, bike, and take transit to school every day, this step will make a real difference. I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for fully using the authority Sammy’s Law provides to slow traffic and save lives.”

“Sammy’s Law will save lives, and I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Flynn for using it to lower speeds around schools. I was proud to sponsor the home rule that enabled this legislation, and it is a relief to see the law deployed to protect our communities. This is the kind of step the Council envisioned when we passed it to protect pedestrians citywide. I look forward to seeing the impact,” said City Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu.

“Sammy’s Law is an incredibly effective tool for making the streets near our schools safer for our children and their families,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “I am thrilled we will be using Sammy’s Law to reduce speed limits to 15 MPH at so many locations across Queens and the rest of the city. We need to do everything we can to make our schools and the streets around them a safe environment for everyone.”

“Expanding Sammy’s Law is a historic step toward making our streets safer for children and families,” said City Council Deputy Leader Sandra Ung. “Around schools, we see students walking, parents pushing strollers, and families crossing busy streets during the most hectic times of the day. Lowering speed limits to 15 miles per hour will help ensure that the streets surrounding our schools reflect that reality and create an environment where parents can feel confident that their children can get to and from school safely. I commend Mayor Mamdani for taking this important step to protect students and families in communities across the five boroughs.”

“Lowering speed limits is a tool proven to save lives, and I commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for taking action to keep our communities safe,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal. “The passage of Sammy’s Law, my legislation granting New York City the authority to lower its speed limits, was in honor of Sammy Cohen Eckstein, who died tragically at just 12 years old in a crash that could have been prevented if there had been lower speed limits. With the expanded implementation of Sammy’s Law around New York City’s schools, we will make our streets safer and drastically reduce the chances of vehicle crashes turning fatal.”

“After years of hard work, Sammy’s Law will be implemented directly in front of schools in New York City,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Slower speeds save lives, and Sammy’s Law can save countless lives across the five boroughs. This is a critical first step towards safety, and we’ll keep fighting for the safe streets all New Yorkers deserve. As always, we are proud and humbled to have fought alongside some of the strongest New Yorkers, members of Families for Safe Streets — New York City will be safer today and every day after that because of you. Sammy’s Law only works where it’s implemented, and we will join communities across the city fighting for full neighborhood and slow zone implementations to keep New Yorkers safe.”

“We’re thrilled that New York City intends to use the authority granted by Sammy’s Law to lower the speed limit around all eligible New York City schools to 15 miles per hour,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “It’s impossible to know precisely how many lives this will save, but we’re certain that the safety benefits will be enormous. It’s a fitting way to commemorate Sammy Cohen Eckstein, for whom the law is named, and to honor the tireless efforts of his mother, Amy Cohen, and her Families for Safe Streets colleagues. We’re grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for moving quickly to make up for the previous administration’s foot-dragging.”

“Speed is the single biggest factor in whether a crash is survivable. Children should never have to navigate dangerous traffic just to get to school. By lowering speed limits to 15 miles per hour near schools, New York City is using Sammy’s Law exactly as intended: giving the city the flexibility to protect people where safety matters most. We commend Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for taking this important step to protect students, parents, and school staff across the five boroughs. We hope it’s just the beginning of broader efforts to pair safer speeds with street designs that improve visibility at corners and create more people-first blocks around schools,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans.

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES $80M NYC FUTURE FUND, EXPANDING AFFORDABLE FINANCING FOR SMALL BUSINESSES

Updated program builds on 2025 pilot with lower loan minimums, reduced interest rates and more flexible repayment terms

Applications open now at: nyc.gov/futurefund

VIDEO: Calling all NYC Small Businesses!

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su and Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Kenny Minaya announced the citywide launch of the revamped NYC Future Fund, a loan program designed to expand access to affordable financing for seasonal and growing small businesses. The program places a particular focus on better serving immigrant-, minority- and women-owned businesses that have long faced barriers to accessing capital.

“Small businesses are the backbone of New York City’s economy and the heart of our neighborhoods,” said Mayor Mamdani. “But many entrepreneurs – especially immigrant and working-class New Yorkers – have been locked out of the affordable capital they need to grow. Our revamped NYC Future Fund will change that. By lowering costs and expanding access, we are making sure small business owners across the five boroughs have the tools they need to grow and strengthen the communities they serve.”

The NYC Future Fund has been expanded to make financing more accessible to small businesses citywide. The Mamdani Administration strengthened the program by lowering borrowing costs, expanding eligibility to include businesses with lower operating revenue and making it easier for smaller businesses to access financing. Applications are available at nyc.gov/futurefund.

Based on feedback from the pilot, the NYC Future Fund now includes:

Lower Minimum Loan Size: Minimum loan amounts have been reduced from $100,500 to $25,000.

Reduced Interest Rate: Interest rates have been lowered from 9 percent to 7.5 percent.

Flexible Repayment Terms: Monthly repayment rates have been reduced from a flat 9.5 percent of revenue to as low as 2 percent of monthly revenue, depending on loan size and business needs.

Expanded Eligibility for Smaller Businesses: The minimum annual revenue required for eligibility has been lowered from $300,000 to $50,000.

The launch also includes a targeted five-borough outreach campaign focused on communities that have historically faced the greatest barriers to affordable financing.

“The NYC Future Fund shows what government can do when it listens to small businesses and acts on what it hears,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “These city-backed loans are designed to meet the real needs of businesses and expand fair access to the capital they need to grow.”

“The revamped NYC Future Fund is a major milestone in the city’s efforts to tear down the barriers to financing that too many small businesses have faced for too long,” said SBS Commissioner Kenny Minaya. “By offering more loan options, lower interest rates, and flexible repayment terms, the city – working alongside our CDFI partners – is expanding access to capital at a time when the affordability crisis is putting real strain on entrepreneurs. Through the leadership of Mayor Mamdani and Deputy Mayor Su, we are delivering a people-first economic justice agenda focused on making life easier for the small businesses that support our neighborhoods and the vibrant city we all live in and love.”

The NYC Future Fund is a public-private partnership between the City of New York and local Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs), including Community Reinvestment Fund, USA (CRF), Accompany Capital, Grow America and Pursuit, to support long-term growth for small business owners.

Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Minaya also appeared in a video promoting the program online and encouraging small businesses to apply for NYC Future Fund loans.

SBS piloted the program with philanthropic support that JPMorganChase provided to CRF, along with funding from TD Bank. The pilot delivered a combined $1.2 million to four small businesses.

“At TD Bank, we believe access to affordable and flexible capital linked with ongoing technical assistance is critical to helping small businesses grow and succeed,” said Ralph Bumbaca, Executive Vice President, Regional President Metro NY, TD Bank. “We’re proud of our long-time support of the NYC Future Fund and working alongside CDFI partners to expand financing opportunities for entrepreneurs that strengthen the communities these small businesses serve.”

“CRF is honored to work alongside the City of New York and other mission-driven lenders to bring the NYC Future Fund to life,” said Matthew Roth, President and CEO of CRF. “This initiative reflects what’s possible when public and private partners align around a shared goal of expanding access to responsible capital for small businesses. By working together, we can help more entrepreneurs access the financing they need to grow, sustain their businesses, and continue driving economic vitality in neighborhoods across New York City.”

“When mission-aligned non-profit community lenders and CDFIs work together with our municipal partners to provide innovative new resources like the NYC Future Fund, more NYC small businesses benefit,” said President of Community Development at Grow America Ann Finnegan. “Working in partnership to expand access to capital across a broad spectrum of the city’s small business community, Grow America’s Community Impact Loan Fund is thrilled to offer a flexible revenue-based loan resource to qualified small businesses through the NYC Future Fund.”

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI ON THE INDICTMENTS OF EMIR BALAT AND IBRAHIM KAYUMI

NEW YORK – In response to federal prosecutors announcing the indictments of Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:

Emir Balat and Ibrahim Kayumi have been charged with committing a heinous act of terrorism and proclaiming their allegiance to ISIS.

They should be held fully accountable for their actions.

We will continue to keep New Yorkers safe. We will not tolerate terrorism or violence in our city.

Mamdani Administration Fills More Than 7,000 Potholes During Weekend Blitz

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced that Saturday’s pothole repair blitz resulted in more than 7,000 pothole repairs across the city in one day. The five-borough effort was launched by the Mayor and Commissioner Flynn to repair potholes after a historic winter marked by record snowfall and sustained cold temperatures.

Since Mayor Mamdani took office, NYC DOT has fixed more than 50,000 potholes, with an average response time of around two days. Additional pothole blitzes are planned for later this spring. NYC DOT will resurface 1,150 miles of roadway this year, ensuring our streets remain safe for all New Yorkers.

“No problem too big, no task too small, no pothole too deep — this weekend, DOT crews went across all five boroughs filling over 7,000 potholes in a day-long blitz,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Repairing potholes is about more than simply ensuring a smooth ride for New Yorkers, it’s about making sure our streets are safe and accessible for everyone. I am extremely grateful to the hard-working people of the Department of Transportation who spent their Saturday improving our roads, and we will continue to use every tool available to make our streetscape and transit systems the envy of the world.”

“NYC DOT crews stepped up yesterday to fill almost a week’s worth of potholes in a single day,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Flynn. “Now that the streets have thawed from a historic winter, we’ve ramped up our pothole-filling efforts and are beginning to fully repave streets across the five boroughs. This year, we’ll repave more than 1,100 lane miles of streets — the best way to help ensure our streets are safe and smooth for all New Yorkers.”

Pothole season begins in New York City around the spring, when more potholes form on our roadways because of high-moisture, winter weather conditions and the cycle of freezing and thawing conditions.

In case you missed it:

NYDN: Mamdani orders ‘pothole blitz’ after death of Queens scooter rider

SI Live: NYC Mayor Mamdani calls ‘blitz on potholes,’ sending out 80 crews across 5 boroughs this weekend

ABC7: Mayor Zohran Mamdani announces pothole blitz; more than 80 NYC DOT crews roll out across all five boroughs

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI ON ONE-HOUSE BUDGET RESOLUTIONS

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement in response to the One-House Budget Resolutions:

“The legislature and I agree: we cannot bridge this budget deficit on the backs of working-class New Yorkers. I’m grateful that the Assembly and Senate One-House Budgets recognize the scale of the fiscal crisis facing New York City. I want to thank Speaker Heastie, Leader Stewart-Cousins and the Assembly and Senate Democratic conferences for having taken meaningful steps toward closing the deficit we inherited, including by asking more from the wealthiest New Yorkers and by creating a fairer balance in the city’s fiscal relationship with the state.

“I’m also grateful to the legislature for extending the fare free bus pilot program in both One-Houses; as one in five New Yorkers struggle to pay for public transportation, it is essential we take bold action and build a transit system all New Yorkers can afford.

“The State’s support has also been integral to advancing universal child care, and I deeply appreciate Governor Hochul and the State legislature’s partnership to that end. However, we would not have been able to launch 2-K or begin to fix the issues plaguing 3-K without mayoral control. Mayoral control is key to delivering our affordability agenda, and I look forward to continuing to work with leaders in Albany to secure its extension.

“New York City is the economic engine of our state — restoring our city’s fiscal health is an investment in the state’s economic wellbeing. I am encouraged and heartened by the relationship that we have built with Governor Hochul and the State legislature, and I look forward to continuing to review their proposals and build upon the work we have done together throughout this budget process.”

MAYOR MAMDANI VISITS NYC311 CALL CENTER TO THANK STAFF, TAKE CALLS FROM NYC RESIDENTS

To mark the 23rd Anniversary of NYC311, Mayor Mamdani worked the 311 line, fielding calls from New Yorkers across the city

Video of the visit can be found here and here   

NEW YORK, NY — On Wednesday, to mark the 23rd anniversary of NYC311, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani visited the NYC311 Call Center to thank staff for their dedicated service during the recent snowstorms and take live calls from New Yorkers across the city.

Mayor Mamdani was paired with a 311 agent to experience firsthand the conversations between agents and callers and to highlight the many ways New Yorkers can access 311 services.

While working the phones, Mayor Mamdani helped connect residents with city resources — from submitting a service request related to an abandoned vehicle to helping another resident navigate the City’s recycling rules.

“Tens of millions of New Yorkers have relied on NYC311 over the past 23 years to navigate City services and connect with critical resources,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Every single day, 100,000 New Yorkers reach dedicated staff at 311, many of whom braved the winter weather to ensure New Yorkers nonemergency needs were being met 24/7. We are deeply grateful for the 311 agents who continue to show up for their city day in and day out.”

“Happy 311 Day, New York City!” said NYC Chief Technology Officer and OTI Commissioner Lisa Gelobter. “Thank you to Mayor Mamdani for taking time today to celebrate with our remarkable NYC311 team and take calls from New Yorkers. Since its launch in 2003, 311 has served as an indispensable lifeline for millions of New Yorkers to access trusted information and engage with their government. Today, we are proud to make useful information from across all of City government just one call, text, or online click away. We look forward to continuing to be a vital resource for New Yorkers when they need us most.”

“After 23 years and 650 million contacts from New Yorkers, Team 311 continuously brings the magic to our mission,” said Joe Morrisroe, Deputy Commissioner, NYC311. “Our people maintain an extraordinary level of dedication with the recent blizzard serving as a perfect example. Team members walked through snowdrifts to get here and be available to help. Serving our customers is inherent to what we do, and I could not be prouder to celebrate 311 Day!”

About NYC311:

Since its launch in March 2003, NYC311 has been the nation’s largest nonemergency government information hotline. The service has grown from taking 4 million calls in its first year to receiving 36 million customer contacts in 2025.

NYC311 connects New Yorkers to nonemergency services from more than 200 City agencies and nonprofits, serving 8 million people, 24/7 every day of the year. Today, the service handles roughly 100,000 contacts daily across calls, texts, web, the 311 app and social media channels.

In 2025, NYC311 received 36,510,581 contacts, including 17 million calls, 16.4 million online visits, 2.6 million app interactions, 278,000 texts and 11,000 social messages. So far in 2026, New Yorkers have contacted NYC311 more than 9 million times, including more than 800,000 contacts during the recent blizzard, from Feb. 21-24.

To ensure access for all New Yorkers, NYC311 provides interpretation services in more than 175 languages. Residents can also text 311 at 311-692 to access translation services.

In 2025, 311 call center representatives received a customer satisfaction score of 93 from New Yorkers.

For more information on NYC311, New Yorkers can visit the NYC311 website.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES HISTORIC $2.1M COURT JUDGMENT AGAINST BRONX LANDLORD, REQUIRING REPAIRS AND FINANCIAL PENALTIES

First-of-its-Kind Judgment Requires Maximum Civil Penalty and Repairs within One Month at 919 Prospect Avenue

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks announced a first-of-its-kind ruling in a case that the City brought against the owners of 919 Prospect Avenue in the South Bronx. The ruling, the first to impose the maximum penalties available under New York City’s Nuisance Abatement Law, will require the landlord to address the most severe of the building’s noncompliant conditions within two weeks, all noncompliant conditions within one month, and pay $1,000 for each day that a public nuisance has persisted — including a full retroactive penalty of $2,174,000.

“This judgment is a landmark victory not only for those who call 919 Prospect Ave home, but for tenants across the five boroughs who must contend with the daily misery, mistreatment and neglect of a bad landlord. Let the scale of this penalty show how seriously we take the threat of building mismanagement that put residents’ and neighbors’ health at risk,” said Mayor Mamdani. “We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to protect tenants across New York.”

“Every New Yorker has the right to a safe and well-maintained home. For far too long, the residents of 919 Prospect Avenue have been denied that right – and this judgment will finally turn the tide. The City’s actions in this case show how we can, and will, ensure that building owners are upholding their legal obligations, whether through building or housing code enforcement or legal action,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“In the Mamdani administration, the Mayor of New York City is on tenants’ side. The tenants of 919 Prospect Avenue have fought for a livable home for more than a decade, and this victory is a turning point in that fight. We will leave no stone unturned in our work to create a city where every tenant can live in comfort and dignity,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

“The City will use every tool available to ensure tenants are protected and building owners comply with the law,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks. “This court ruling not only helps us hold this one landlord accountable, it will also enhance our efforts to safeguard building residents in numerous other cases.”

“This court decision is an important step towards finally compelling the owners of 919 Prospect Avenue to live up to their legal responsibilities and make the building repairs needed to provide their tenants with a safe place to call home,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “This major ruling sends a strong message that putting our fellow New Yorkers in harm’s way in their own homes is not acceptable. We are thankful to the Law Department for their dogged pursuit in this case.”

“Tenants should not have to live for years with conditions like unsafe electrical equipment, pests, or broken building systems because an owner refuses to make basic repairs,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy. “At HPD, we’re going to keep using every enforcement tool we have to make sure landlords meet their obligation to keep their buildings safe and livable.”

“Housing maintenance issues like peeling lead-paint and pest infestations aren’t just a public nuisance, but a threat to public health,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “We applaud Mayor Mamdani and Corporation Counsel Banks for their steadfast leadership in protecting the health and safety of New Yorkers and holding those responsible accountable.”

“TakeRoot Justice has been fighting alongside the tenants from 919 Prospect Ave since 2016 for the right to safe, dignified living conditions. This judgement is a sign of progress, and the tenants are hopeful, but it is important to highlight that this new administration has much work to do to enforce housing codes and hold slumlords accountable,” said Claribel Morales, Staff Attorney, and Nova Rivera, Advocacy Coordinator, TakeRoot Justice.

919 Prospect Avenue is an occupied, rent-stabilized building owned by Seth Miller, who has consistently been placed on the Public Advocate’s “Worst Landlords Watchlist,” and the associated building is currently part of Housing Preservation and Development’s (HPD) Alternative Enforcement Program. At 919 Prospect Avenue, there are violations for a deteriorated facade, unsafe electrical equipment, obstructed fire escapes, an unsafe elevator, inoperable boiler, a partial vacate order, peeling lead-based paint, lack of self-closing doors, mice and roach infestations, and the failure to erect a necessary sidewalk shed.

After the City sought an injunction, a New York State Supreme Court Judge issued a Decision and Order granting the City’s motion to order the correction of code violations and abatement of all public nuisances at the premises, and the imposition of Nuisance Abatement Law penalties in the amount of $1,000 per day for each day the building had an open violation that rendered it a public nuisance – including full retroactive penalty of $2,174,000. The City’s motion was supported by building tenants represented by TakeRoot Justice who joined the City’s case. This judgment resulted from the city’s ramped-up, comprehensive enforcement against building owners who put tenants at risk, led by the Law Department in close cooperation with the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and numerous city agencies.

MAYOR MAMDANI SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER ESTABLISHING THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF LGBTQIA+ AFFAIRS; APPOINTS TAYLOR BROWN AS DIRECTOR

Brown, a nationally-recognized civil rights attorney, is the first transgender person to lead a New York City office or agency

Office will oversee and implement LGBTQIA+ initiatives, including developing legal resources to uphold sanctuary protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani signed an executive order establishing the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and appointed Taylor Brown, currently an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau of the New York State Attorney General, as its director.

With this appointment, Brown becomes the first transgender person to lead a City office or agency and the highest-ranking transgender person in the history of New York City government.

“New York City is proud of its LGBTQIA+ community and will refuse to deny healthcare, safety or dignity to anyone on the basis of their identity,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “With Taylor Brown as Director of the new Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, the city’s queer community will not only be celebrated, but protected at every turn.”

“New York has given me everything — life-saving health care, education, a home, a career, my chosen family, and a life of purpose. I am so proud to serve this city as the inaugural Director of the Mayor‘s Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs. I will work every day to ensure that the doors of New York City remain open to all and to continue New York City’s legacy as a beacon of opportunity and hope for those who have been ignored, discriminated against, and intentionally excluded,” said Director Taylor Brown. “I look forward to working across agencies to ensure that we are protecting the LGBTQIA+ community from hostile actors that do not share New York City’s values. Thank you to Mayor Mamdani, Deputy Mayor Su, and Commissioner Attah-Mensah, whom I look forward to working alongside, for this extraordinary opportunity to serve the people of New York.”

“From housing insecurity to workplace discrimination to a lack of access to healthcare, the problems that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers face are not unique to their community, but they are felt disproportionately. Through an economic justice framework, we can ensure that LGBTQ+ New Yorkers can afford to stay in our city and enjoy all that it has to offer without having to hide any part of themselves. Taylor is an exceptional leader to take on this charge and I look forward to working closely with her to advance policies that support and defend the diverse queer communities in our city,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

“I am proud to see Taylor Brown step into this important role serving New York City’s LGBTQ+ community,” said New York Attorney General Letitia James. “In her time at the Office of the Attorney General, Taylor has been a tireless champion for fairness, dignity, and equal justice under the law. New Yorkers will be well served by her leadership, and I look forward to her continued service ensuring every LGBTQ+ New Yorker is protected and celebrated.”

“Over the past several years, through the NYC Unity Project, we worked to build the foundation and architecture for a more coordinated citywide approach to supporting LGBTQ+ New Yorkers,” said Ronald Porcelli, Director of the NYC Unity Project. “By partnering with City agencies and community leaders, we helped align investments—from the LGBTQ+ Emergency Fund to Unity Grants—and establish the framework that ultimately made this new office possible. I’m proud to have helped advocate for and lay that groundwork alongside a number of extraordinary partners. I’m thrilled to see the work of the NYC Unity Project evolve with the launch of the Office of LGBTQ+ Affairs, and I’m grateful to see the new leadership take the helm and guide this new phase of growth. New York City has long been a place where LGBTQ+ communities can live openly and thrive, and I look forward to continuing to support that progress.”

“As we are facing an unprecedented attack on the basic human rights of the entire LGBTQIA+ community—especially trans rights and trans people’s, particularly trans youth’s, access to health care—our NYC community deserves exactly this: A dedicated office, led by a dedicated civil rights advocate, Taylor Brown, and the first trans person to lead a city office,” said Rabbi Abby Stein. “I am so proud of the work we did during the transition, as a member of the Health Committee, to help make this happen. I’m grateful to the Mayor and the whole team at the Mayor’s Office for their continued commitment to supporting our community. As a lifelong New Yorker, trans activist, rabbi, and community organizer here in the city, I have never felt more hopeful about the future and the thriving of our queer community.”

“LGBTQIA New Yorkers have sought to create a mayoral office to work with the community for many years, and I am so excited to finally see this idea come to fruition under the leadership of Mayor Mamdani,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “The appointment of Taylor Brown as its first director — and the city’s first transgender person to lead an office or agency — is brilliant and a meaningful milestone that reflects New York City’s commitment to representation, inclusion, and equality. As a proud lesbian, and member of the NYC Council LGBTQIA caucus, this announcement represents an important recognition of the many contributions the LGBTQIA community makes to the fabric of our multicultural and diverse city.”

“At a time when LGBTQIA+ people are facing widespread attacks, I am thrilled that New York City is stepping up to celebrate and defend our community by creating the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs,” said Assembly Member Deborah Glick. “This new office will provide essential services for the LGBTQIA+ community and ensure that New York remains a haven for LGBTQIA+ people. Taylor Brown has spent her career fighting for the LGBTQIA+ community at both the ACLU and in the New York State Attorney General’s office, and our city will be lucky to have her in our corner.”

“Today’s announcement is a powerful step forward for LGBTQIA+ representation and equality in our city,” said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. “I applaud Mayor Mamdani for establishing the Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and for appointing Taylor Brown to lead it. With this appointment, Taylor becomes the first transgender New Yorker to head a city office or agency—an important milestone that underscores why representation in government matters. As a longtime champion for LGBTQIA+ rights, I know that when our institutions reflect the diversity of our communities, we make stronger, more inclusive policy. I look forward to working together to advance equality and ensure every New Yorker feels seen, valued, and protected.”

“The Ali Forney Center applauds the creation of the NYC Mayor’s Office of LGBTIQA+ Affairs, an important step toward ensuring Transgender and LGBQIA New Yorkers are represented across city government. Meaningful interagency representation of transgender people is critical to developing policies that truly address the needs of our communities. As the nation’s largest provider of housing and services for LGBTQ+ youth experiencing homelessness, we are eager to partner with this new office to strengthen coordination, expand resources, and ensure that the most vulnerable young people have the support they need to thrive,” said Nadia Swanson, Director of Advocacy and Global Programs, The Ali Forney Center.

“The creation of the Mayor‘s Office for LGBTQIA+ Affairs is a historic moment for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers, as well as the City as a whole, and I congratulate Director Taylor Brown on her appointment as the first transgender person to ever lead a NYC office,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse, Chair of the NYC Council’s Committee on Civil and Human Rights. “New York will always be a home for LGBTQIA+ people, and the establishment of this office makes me even more confident in our city’s ability to be a sanctuary for those seeking safety and community, and to ensure all New Yorkers can thrive as their truest selves.”

“Today’s creation of the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs is a vital step toward making our city safer and more livable for queer New Yorkers. I am thrilled that the mayor is enacting the proposals I put forward with the Council’s LGBTQIA+ Caucus in the Pride in Policy agenda to meet the needs of our queer communities. Taylor Brown is a lifelong advocate and litigator for expanding LGBTQIA+ rights in this country and understands how queer liberation is inextricably intertwined with racial justice, healthcare access, and affordability. I look forward to working with her to make the LGBTQIA+ Caucus’s full slate of policies come to fruition,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán.

“I’m thrilled that the Mayor has created this office. As the first openly queer legislator of color elected to state office, visibility in this area is important to me, and I thank the Mayor for his leadership here. Our community is under constant threat from the federal government, and the appointment of the city’s first transgender person to lead an office or agency sends a message that our community matters, and that we are valued here,” said State Senator Jabari Brisport.

“At a time when we are under attack for simply existing, and our history is being erased, today’s announcement is an important step for New York City,” said Assembly Member Tony Simone. “I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani for creating the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs and for appointing the incredible Taylor Brown to lead it. When our flags are torn down, medically necessary care stripped away, the LGBTQIA+ community needs a fighter with Taylor’s experience in civil rights and public service, including work with the City Council and deep roots in the community to ensure New York City remains a place where everyone, regardless of gender identity or sexual orientation, is welcomed, protected, and supported.”

About the Mayor’s Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs

The Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs will oversee and coordinate implementation of initiatives across city agencies that serve LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers. These initiatives include:

Assisting agencies in developing and supporting liaisons to the LGBTQIA+ community

Advancing measures to ensure agencies do not engage in discrimination based on gender, gender identity, or sexual orientation

Developing legal resources to ensure the City’s sanctuary protections for LGBTQIA+ individuals are upheld

Providing support for LGBTQIA+ people and their families fleeing anti-LGBTQIA+ oppression

The Office will absorb and expand upon the NYC Unity Project, which launched in September 2017 as the City’s first initiative focused on delivering and coordinating affirming services for LGBTQIA+ New Yorkers.

About Director Taylor Brown

Taylor Brown serves as an Assistant Attorney General in the Civil Rights Bureau at the Office of the New York State Attorney General. Brown’s work includes cases addressing unlawful discrimination against transgender people in public accommodations and housing, disparities in race- and disability-based discipline in public schools, and challenges to federal actions undermining civil rights protections.

Before joining the Attorney General’s Office, Brown spent nearly seven years at Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund and the national office of the American Civil Liberties Union’s LGBTQ+ & HIV Project. There, Brown led impact litigation across the country advancing constitutional and statutory protections for transgender people, focusing on health care access, education and employment.

Brown is a first-generation graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES MAJOR POTHOLE BLITZ FOLLOWING RECORD-SETTING WINTER WEATHER

More than 80 NYC DOT crews will fill thousands of potholes across all five boroughs in one day

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced a citywide pothole repair blitz following a historic winter marked by record snowfall and sustained cold temperatures.

Beginning at 6 a.m. this Saturday, more than 80 NYC DOT crews will be deployed across city streets and highways in all five boroughs. The City expects to fill thousands of potholes in a single day, with additional repair blitzes planned in the weeks ahead.

Since Jan. 1, NYC DOT has repaired more than 50,000 potholes, maintaining a response time of just over two days. More than 10,000 potholes have been filled in the past week alone. The accelerated repair effort coincides with the City’s annual road resurfacing season, which begins this month and includes full curb-to-curb repaving projects.

NYC DOT plans to resurface 1,150 lane miles of roadway this year. New York City is also one of the few cities in the country that operates its own asphalt plants, allowing crews to respond quickly to road damage and complete repairs efficiently.

“While most New Yorkers are still asleep, 80 DOT crews will take to the streets to repair potholes in a five-borough blitz,” said Mayor Mamdani. “In a single day, they’ll fill thousands of potholes that pop up every year as spring arrives and our city streets begin to thaw. Safe, accessible streets are a basic promise of city government, and after a historically brutal winter, I’m incredibly grateful to the DOT teams who are not wasting a moment of time in delivering the street improvements we need.”

“New Yorkers have braved a rough winter, and we can see and feel the resulting potholes from wear-and-tear on our roads,” said Commissioner Flynn. “That’s why the men and women of NYC DOT are doubling down on repair efforts in recent weeks and will step it up this weekend with a five-borough, 80-crew blitz. We appreciate New Yorkers’ patience on the roads as we complete this critical work and encourage the public to report road defects to 311.”

Pothole season begins in New York City around the spring, when more potholes form on our roadways because of high-moisture, winter weather conditions and the cycle of freezing and thawing conditions.

Drivers should expect travel delays Saturday. New Yorkers should report any potholes they come across to NYC311 to be addressed as soon as possible.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES MAJOR 3-K EXPANSION, ADDING MORE THAN 1,000 NEW SEATS 

New seats in 56 ZIP codes will make 3-K truly universal

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced on Staten Island a major expansion of 3-K across all five boroughs. The City will add more than 1,000 new seats in 56 ZIP codes – moving New York closer to making 3-K truly universal for the first time.

Beginning this September, families in five ZIP codes in the Bronx, six on Staten Island, eight in Brooklyn, 16 in Manhattan and 21 in Queens will see expanded 3-K access, delivering on the Mamdani Administration’s commitment to fix and strengthen the program.

“For too long, families were promised universal 3-K but offered seats miles away — forcing them to pay out of pocket for child care or leave the city,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Today we’re making a new commitment: government can deliver real relief from the affordability crisis. By making 3-K truly universal, we’re building a city where every New Yorker can afford to raise a family.”

“New York’s families thrive when our kids are supported and families aren’t burdened by the costs of childcare. I’m proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani to expand 3-K to more families across all five boroughs, building on our progress to deliver universal childcare and build a more affordable New York for all,” said Governor Kathy Hochul.

“Expanding access to 3-K means giving more of our youngest New Yorkers the strong start they deserve,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “Adding seats in communities where demand is growing helps more families access high-quality early childhood education that supports children’s learning, development and long-term success. This expansion reflects our commitment to meeting families where they are and ensuring every child has the opportunity to thrive from the very beginning.”

The Mamdani Administration will add 3-K seats in more than half of the City’s 32 school districts this fall, including:

Bronx (Districts 8 & 11):

10461 — Westchester Square, Pelham Bay, Morris Park

10462 — Parkchester, Morris Park, Pelham Parkway, Little Yemen

10465 — Country Club, Edgewater Park, Throgs Neck

10469 — Eastchester

10475 — Co-op City

Staten Island (District 31):

10302 — Port Richmond

10306 — New Dorp, Bay Terrace, Richmond, Lighthouse Hill, Midland Beach, New Dorp Beach, Oakwood

10307 — Tottenville

10308 — Great Kills

10309 — Charleston, Prince’s Bay, Pleasant Plains, Rossville, Woodrow

10312 — Rossville, Eltingville, Woodrow, Arden Heights, Annadale, Aspen Knolls, Village Greens, Eltingville, Prince’s Bay

Brooklyn (Districts 13, 14, 15, 20 & 21)

11201 — DUMBO, Downtown Brooklyn, Cobble Hill, Vinegar Hill

11214 — Bath Beach, Gravesend, Bensonhurst

11217 — Boerum Hill, Park Slope, Prospect Heights

11218 — Kensington, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park

11222 — Greenpoint

11229 — Sheepshead Bay, Homecrest, Madison, Midwood, Gerritsen Beach

11234 — Bergen Beach, Georgetown, Canarsie, Flatlands, Marine Park, Mill Basin

11238 — Prospect Heights, Crown Heights, Clinton Hill

Manhattan (Districts 2, 3 & 6):

10003 — Gramercy, Bowery, Ukrainian Village, NoHo, East Village, Union Square

10010 — Gramercy, Flatiron, Kips Bay

10011 — Chelsea, West Village

10012 — Greenwich Village, SoHo

10014 — Greenwich Village, West Village

10017 — Midtown East

10018 — Midtown West

10021 — Upper East Side, Lenox Hill

10022 — Midtown East

10024 — Upper West Side

10025 — Upper West Side, Manhattan Valley, Morningside Heights

10036 — Midtown West, Hell’s Kitchen

10040 — Inwood, Fort George, Washington Heights

10044 — Roosevelt Island

10065 — Lenox Hill, Upper East Side

10128 — Upper East Side, Yorkville

Queens (Districts 24, 25, 26, 27, 28 & 30):

11004 — Glen Oaks, Floral Park

11105 — Ditmars-Steinway, Astoria

11109 — Long Island City

11356 — College Point

11363 — Little Neck, Douglaston

11365 — Fresh Meadows, Auburndale, Utopia

11368 — Corona, Willets Point

11370 — Jackson Heights, Astoria Heights, East Elmhurst

11372 — Jackson Heights

11375 — Forest Hills

11378 — Maspeth

11379 — Middle Village

11385 — Ridgewood, Glendale

11418 — Richmond Hill

11420 — Ozone Park

11423 — Hollis

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI ON PROTESTS OUTSIDE OF GRACIE MANSION

NEW YORK – Today, in response to yesterday’s protests outside of Gracie Mansion, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the following statement:

Yesterday, white supremacist Jake Lang organized a protest outside Gracie Mansion rooted in bigotry and racism. Such hate has no place in New York City. It is an affront to our city’s values and the unity that defines who we are.

What followed was even more disturbing. Violence at a protest is never acceptable. The attempt to use an explosive device and hurt others is not only criminal, it is reprehensible and the antithesis of who we are.

I want to thank the brave men and women of the NYPD who acted quickly to keep New Yorkers safe. Our officers ran toward danger without hesitation, demonstrating once again the courage and dedication it takes to protect this city every single day.

My administration is closely monitoring the situation and I remain in close contact with our Police Commissioner.

JOINT STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI AND POLICE COMMISSIONER JESSICA S. TISCH

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Police Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch released a joint statement on the passing of Police Officer Sorffly Davius.

“Today, our city mourns the loss of Police Officer Sorffly Davius, who passed away on Friday following a medical episode while deployed to Kuwait with the 42nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army National Guard.

“Officer Davius devoted his life to public service — rising to the rank of Major in the U.S. Army National Guard and joining the NYPD in 2014, when he was assigned to the 79th Precinct.

“His career was defined by service — to his country and to New York City.

“Our thoughts are with Officer Davius and his entire family as they mourn his loss. May his memory be a blessing.”

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES NEW EFFORTS TO TAKE SIDEWALK SHEDS DOWN, REQUIRE FEWER UNNECESSARY SHEDS

NYCHA making $650 million in façade repairs and taking sheds down at 40 developments across NYC

New DOB rules will require sheds less frequently and keep open space uncovered

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced a series of programs to take longstanding sheds down, especially at NYCHA campuses, and reduce the amount of sheds required moving forward. The Department of Buildings (DOB) is advancing reforms to reduce the amount of shed coverage that is required over open space further away from buildings and to require façade inspections less frequently, especially at lower-risk buildings, potentially reducing the number of sheds that are installed.

Mayor Mamdani announced the programs alongside Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg, DOB Commissioner Ahmed Tigani and elected officials at Highbridge Gardens in the Bronx, where NYCHA is removing sheds that have been up for five years due to unsafe façade conditions, which have finally been addressed. Highbridge Gardens is one of 40 developments across New York City where NYCHA is using $650 million in state and federal funding to make long-needed façade repairs. Approximately $400 million in repairs have been completed and sheds have been removed at over 200 buildings to date.

“In the greatest city in the world, we should not accept darkened sidewalks and covered walkways as a fact of life. Our administration’s investments in shed removal and regulations to shed placement will deliver a more livable city by not just repairing NYCHA’s buildings but ensuring all New Yorkers can enjoy light and fresh air when they step outside,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“Sheds may seem small, but they are a big imposition on New Yorkers’ quality of life. With these reforms — thanks to work by civil servants at DOB and NYCHA, the City Council, and state and federal partners — we will make real progress to take sheds down,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “New Yorkers should be able to enjoy natural light and unobstructed public space, and that’s what we’ll deliver.”

“The removal of shedding at Highbridge Gardens signifies safer conditions, clearer walkways, and meaningful quality of life improvements for NYCHA residents,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We appreciate the Mamdani Administration’s support and look forward to working alongside the Department of Buildings to remove unnecessary shedding while we continue the critical facade repairs necessary to take down required sheds. With more than 200 buildings already completed through $400 million in State and Federal funding, we are making real progress in ensuring residents are experiencing a safer, more inviting atmosphere around their buildings and on their campuses.”

“The removal of these sidewalk sheds is a great day for the residents of Highbridge Houses, and serves as another concrete example of the city’s commitment to safely remove sheds citywide,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “Efforts led by the Buildings Department have already led to a 17% decline in sidewalk sheds citywide, and thanks to this package of proposed agency rules for facade inspections and permit oversight we are primed to build on this progress.”

Based on a study done in coordination with engineering firm Thornton Tomasetti, DOB will reform Local Law 11 façade inspection regulations to change the length of time between required inspections. These updates will extend the timeline for inspections an extra year, from five to six years, and will create an abbreviated filing program for lower-risk, well-maintained buildings that can lower hands-on inspection requirements to every 12 years – instead of the current requirement of every five years.

DOB is also implementing new regulations that now require sheds associated with unsafe building facades to extend only a maximum of 40 feet away from buildings. The previous requirement unnecessarily mandated that sheds cover walkways and sidewalks that were much further from buildings, up to half of the height of the building. This change, a result of Local Law 47, passed by the City Council in 2025, means that sheds will cover less open space on “campuses” like NYCHA properties, multi-building developments and universities, allowing for more open space to remain uncovered for neighbors to enjoy.

Finally, DOB is proposing a new agency rule to implement Local Law 48 that will enhance enforcement and oversight of sidewalk sheds. The new rule will include penalties for keeping sheds up for longer than 180 days, compelling building owners to more quickly begin needed façade repairs and provide DOB and the public with regular status updates every 90 days. These new enforcement and oversight procedures will be put into effect this summer. New Yorkers will be able to comment on these proposed rules in the coming weeks prior to implementation of the final rules.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES $50 MILLION CAPITAL INVESTMENT TO RECONSTRUCT 10 PARKS IN UNDERSERVED NEIGHBORHOODS Park improvements will benefit more than 116,500 New Yorkers in historically neglected communities CUNY releases new study linking park improvements with reduced stress Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine vow full restitution for New Yorkers ripped off by Instant Recovery Towing

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura announced $50 million in new capital investments in 10 parks through the Community Parks Initiative (CPI) for Fiscal Year 2027. The initiative reconstructs parks in neighborhoods that have historically been neglected.

The investments will improve parks in all five boroughs, expanding access to safe, welcoming public spaces. The announcement coincides with new studies from the City University of New York (CUNY) highlighting the mental health and social benefits of improved park space for New Yorkers.

“For many New Yorkers, the park is their backyard — a place where they can play a game of pick-up basketball, hold a picnic on the grass or kick a ball with their kids. These New Yorkers know the difference between a park in disarray and a park that city government has invested in,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “That is why, today, we are proud to announce $50 million worth of capital investments to ten parks across the city — investments that will allow more than 100,000 New Yorkers in all five boroughs to experience a healthier, cleaner and more accessible city.”

“All New Yorkers deserve access to clean, safe and high-quality parks — and through our Community Parks Initiative (CPI), we’re proud to announce the next 10 parks that will receive key investments in underserved neighborhoods. These renovations will benefit more than 100,000 New Yorkers across all five boroughs,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “Along with this new investment, NYC Parks has reimagined and reconstructed 70 CPI sites. We are grateful to the CUNY Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy for its partnership in studying the health and quality-of-life benefits of these projects through the SPARCS study.”

“Urban parks are increasingly being recognized around the world as crucial for the wellbeing of citizens. It is exciting to see that CPI has been successful at improving the level of satisfaction and usage of neighborhood parks throughout the city,” said Terry Huang, Distinguished Professor of Public Health, CUNY Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy (CUNY SPH). “Importantly, the park renovations created the necessary condition for New Yorkers to benefit from using these parks in terms of their health and wellbeing. We are fortunate in New York to have such strong leadership and efforts to continue improving the park spaces in local communities through the expansion of CPI.”

Through CPI, local parks are reconstructed through a community-driven design process that upgrades sites, adds new play equipment and recreation amenities for all ages and enhances green space.

Over the past decade, NYC Parks has reimagined and reconstructed 70 CPI projects in neighborhood parks citywide and currently has another 47 projects underway, representing more than half a billion dollars in capital investment to rebuild parks and playgrounds that had not seen significant upgrades in decades.

The 10 sites announced today will bring the total number of active CPI projects to 57.

The following parks will be transformed through CPI:

Bronx

Mott Playground (Concourse)

Fountain of Youth Playground (Mott Haven / Longwood)

Morris Mesa Playground (Mount Hope)

Brooklyn

Van Dyke Playground (Brownsville)

Roebling Playground (South Williamsburg)

Elizabeth Stroud Playground (Bedford–Stuyvesant)

Manhattan

Vladeck Park (Lower East Side)

St. Nicholas Park 133rd St. Playground (Harlem)

Queens

Corona Health Sanctuary (Corona)

Staten Island

Kaltenmeier Playground (Rosebank / Shore Acres)

Launched in 2014, CPI provides equity-driven investments to parks that have not received significant capital improvements in at least two decades and are located in neighborhoods with the highest need, based on factors such as poverty levels, population density and population growth.

One of the most recent CPI investments renovated Jennie Jerome Playground in the Bronx. Completed in 2025, the reconstruction added inclusive play equipment designed for children of all abilities, a spray shower to help children stay cool in the summer, picnic tables and seating for families and new shade trees and plantings to mitigate heat and reduce noise from the nearby expressway.

CPI investments also have been linked to improved mental health and increased park use, including in recently announced studies by researchers at the City University of New York Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy (CUNY SPH). According to findings from the recent Physical Activity and Redesigned Community Spaces (PARCS) study, residents in neighborhoods that received CPI park renovations reported:

More time spent in parks, particularly on weekdays and among adults with children and members of the Latino community.

Significant increases in satisfaction with park quality, maintenance and amenities.

Reduced stress levels among residents who frequently used renovated parks, suggesting that high-quality parks are a key condition for realizing the mental health benefits of regular park use.

MAYOR MAMDANI, DCWP SUE PREDATORY TOW TRUCK OPERATOR FOR JUNK FEES, OVERCHARGING CUSTOMERS AND OTHER UNLAWFUL PRACTICES Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine vow full restitution for New Yorkers ripped off by Instant Recovery Towing

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) announced a lawsuit against Instant Recovery Corp., a Bronx-based tow truck operator, for allegedly engaging in predatory practices and repeatedly violating City law.

After receiving a high volume of complaints, DCWP launched an investigation that found Instant Recovery consistently charged illegal fees, overbilled customers and used other unlawful tactics to exploit New Yorkers.

“Tow trucks often meet New Yorkers on their worst days — after an accident or a breakdown,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Instead of offering help, companies like Instant Recovery have taken advantage of people when they need help most, extorting them with price gouging, hidden fees and coercive charges. Today, we’re fighting back — demanding full restitution for every New Yorker harmed and making clear to the entire industry: if you prey on our neighbors and ignore the law, we will hold you accountable.”

DCWP is seeking full restitution for affected consumers, civil penalties for over a thousand violations and the revocation of the company’s tow truck license. Last week, DCWP also conducted a compliance blitz, issuing warnings to more than 300 tow truck operators citywide to reinforce compliance with towing and booting laws.

“Instant Recovery’s pattern of predatory behavior of bogus fees, cash-only demands and refusal to provide receipts is exactly the kind of consumer abuse this administration will not tolerate,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “We are pursuing this case without fear or favor and fighting to return every dollar owed to New Yorkers.”

“From dolly and special tow fees to overcharging for storage and drop fees, Instant Recovery treated the law as optional,” said Commissioner Sam Levine. “Our lawsuit puts the entire industry on notice: DCWP is watching, and we will act.”

Details of the Case

Instant Recovery has operated since November 2024, primarily in the Bronx. DCWP received a high volume of consumer complaints almost immediately after the company began operating, including:

Charged more than the legally permitted amounts for tow, drop and storage fees.

Conducted illegal tows.

Forced consumers to pay in cash.

Refused to provide receipts.

DCWP Actions to Crack Down on Junk Fees

Under Mayor Mamdani’s Executive Order 09, DCWP has led a citywide crackdown on junk fees that inflate costs for consumers and undercut honest businesses.

In January, the Mamdani Administration issued a final rule prohibiting hotels from charging excessive “destination” or “resort” fees and banning hidden credit card holds. DCWP also filed a landmark lawsuit against solar panel installation company Radiant Solar and its owner for deceiving consumers and embedding undisclosed “dealer fees,” seeking millions in civil penalties and restitution.

Following the launch of the City’s annual Free Tax Prep initiative, DCWP began a citywide sweep of paid tax preparers to ensure compliance with laws prohibiting illegal overcharging and hidden fees. The agency also continued its “Fee Free February” enforcement actions targeting predatory employment agencies.

DCWP will continue aggressive enforcement across industries to root out junk fees and protect working New Yorkers.

Towing Services in New York City

DCWP licenses businesses that perform “non-consensual” tows, including towing cars:

Blocking private driveways.

Parked on private property including private parking lots.

Immobilized after an accident.

Stolen, abandoned, or broken down.

Consumers whose vehicles are being towed in these circumstances should check a company’s license status online or call 311 to confirm the operator is licensed. Additional information is available in DCWP’s Towing Services Guide.

Vehicles may also be towed by government agencies, including the NYPD, the City marshal or the sheriff. Information about vehicles towed by law enforcement is available through the New York City Department of Finance. DCWP regulates the City’s Directed Accident Towing Program (DARP) and Rotation Tow Program (ROTOW), which oversee accident, abandoned and driveway-blocking tows. The agency also licenses businesses that boot vehicles on private property. Consumers can verify a booting company’s license or file a complaint by visiting nyc.gov/dcwp or calling 311.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES PLAN TO CLOSE BELLEVUE SHELTER DUE TO DETERIORATING CONDITIONS

Citing severe disrepair, the Department of Social Services and Department of Homeless Services have prepared a short-term operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate critical functions to other sites

NEW YORK — TODAY, the Mamdani Administration announced a plan to close the 30th Street Shelter, also known as Bellevue, by the end of April 2026, and relocate current inhabitants to other facilities.

Toward the end of the last Administration, new shelter sitings stopped almost entirely – and as a result, the current Administration inherited several shelter sites that had been neglected for years. One of these sites is the Bellevue shelter. Although there is no immediate danger, the site, which originally opened in 1931, is in a severe state of disrepair, and the decision to vacate the site is a proactive measure driven by safety and expert engineering guidance.

“My administration is focused on ensuring every New Yorker experiencing homelessness not only has access to shelter, but to spaces that are safe, humane and truly livable. We cannot accept a system that treats people without dignity or stability,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “As we move forward, our city will double down on protecting the safety, continuity and quality of services — because every New Yorker deserves a secure place to rest, to recover and to rebuild their life with dignity.”

The Department of Social Services (DSS) and Department of Homeless Services (DHS) will immediately implement an operational plan to vacate 30th Street and relocate the critical functions to other sites. There are approximately 250 individuals in the shelter, and the DSS is working to relocate these individuals by mid-March 2026. The City is maintaining the same level of shelter beds but transitioning services to safer facilities. Shelter intake will remain in Manhattan to ensure continuity of services. New intake for adult men will be at 8 E 3rd St, and intake for adult families, family units that don’t have any minor children, will be at 333 Bowery St. This will be effective beginning May 1st.

In addition, the City will be engaging in a large-scale communications campaign across the region to update the public on the relocation of this central intake facility. DHS will also maintain a small presence on site for at least a year after the closure to greet anyone who may come to the location for services and direct them to the new location. Direct transportation will also be available throughout the day. Simultaneously, DHS is working with partner agencies and City Hall on a long-term redevelopment plan for the site.

Mayor Mamdani is committed to opening several new, high-quality shelters and this plan is a necessary step toward safer, more dignified infrastructure that maintains shelter availability citywide.

MAYOR MAMDANI AND GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE FIRST FOUR COMMUNITIES TO RECEIVE FREE 2-K SEATS

With Support from Governor Kathy Hochul, Four Communities Will Receive 2,000+ Free Child Care Seats for Two-Year-Olds this Fall

NEW YORK — TODAY, in a major step toward universal child care from six weeks to five years old, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced the first four communities that will receive free 2-K seats this fall.

The four communities are:

School District 6: Washington Heights, Inwood and Hamilton Heights as well as parts of Manhattanville
School District 10: Fordham, Belmont, Norwood, Marble Hill, Morris Heights, Riverdale, Spuyten Duyvil, Van Cortlandt Village and Kingsbridge as well as parts of Kingsbridge Heights, Bedford Park, Mount Hope, Claremont- Bathgate & East Tremont
School Districts 18 and 23: Canarsie, Rugby-Remsen Village, Brownsville and Ocean Hill as well as parts of East Flatbush- Farragut and Prospect Lefferts Garden-Wingate
School District 27: Ozone Park, South Ozone Park, Richmond Hill, Woodhaven, Howard Beach and Rockaways as well as parts Lindenwood and Springfield Gardens North

First announced on day eight of the Mamdani administration alongside Gov. Kathy Hochul, 2-K is a cornerstone of the Mayor’s universal child care initiative. The program will provide free child care for two-year-olds in New York City to any family who needs it, regardless of zip code, income or immigration status.

The program will launch with 2,000 free seats this fall and expand to full universality within four years.

Earlier this year, Gov. Hochul committed more than $1.2 billion to support early childhood care and education in New York City, including $73 million to fund the first set of free 2-K seats. That investment will grow to $425 million next year. By fall 2027, 2-K is expected to serve approximately 12,000 children across all five boroughs, with the goal of reaching every two-year-old in the city at full implementation.

“Raising a child takes a village – and it takes a city government willing to step up and tackle the child care crisis head-on,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “On day eight, we moved closer to making universal childcare a reality. This fall, 2,000 New York City two-year-olds will have a brighter future because of it. Launching free 2-K in these four neighborhoods is just the beginning of our work to put money back in New Yorkers’ pockets, strengthen our entire economy and help more families build their lives here.”

“Raising a family in New York shouldn’t feel like a luxury, and today we’re taking another significant step to deliver universal child care,” said Governor Hochul. “Earlier this year, Mayor Mamdani and I stood together to announce the state’s historic investment in New York City’s 2-K program, delivering free child care for two-year-olds across the City. This is how we make New York the best place to start a family and build a future – and we’re just getting started.”

“The launch of 2-K reflects our commitment to reaching families with the greatest need and building a system that grows to serve every child in every community,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “We are opening the doors for thousands of two-year-olds and their families, delivering free, full-day care and early learning and paving the way for bright futures from our students’ earliest ages.”

“After years of fighting for universal child care, we finally have a Mayor who’s fighting alongside us — and we’re seeing the impact of that,” said New York State Senator Jabari Brisport. “I look forward to continuing to work with Mayor Mamdani, parents, and child care providers to win full universal child care for every family in New York.”

“We have witnessed a significant rise in the cost of quality childcare, which has put immense stress on families,” said New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie. “Affordable, reliable childcare is essential for families as they maneuver their day to day , making today’s 2-K announcement a step in the right direction. Initiatives like Universal 2-K and similarly 3-K enables more community members to enter or re-enter the workforce, launch businesses, and sustain employment. Thank you to Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Governor Kathy Hochul, and the legislature for ensuring that this became a reality. When we work together, we bring forth positive change keeping the families of New York first.”

“As a mother of four, advocate, educator and public servant who founded and operated a 24/7 child care center, I’ve lived the reality behind the ongoing basic needs that are compromised for childcare for those who don’t have enough to make ends meet. Guaranteeing universal 3-K and pre-K means New York chooses to invest in children’s most critical years, keep families rooted in their communities, and build an economy where raising a family doesn’t mean going broke,” said Assemblywoman Chandler-Waterman. “Millions of New Yorkers have been shut out from these benefits, and our economy has paid the price in lost families, lost workers, and billions in lost growth. Universal 2-K regardless of background, language barrier, income, or immigration status is a monumental step in removing the burden on families. While this is a needed step we must ensure that child care workers will be making a livable wage with fair working conditions. I am committed to working with all my school districts, especially with School District 18 where initial slots will be available, as we push the initiative, keep programs financially viable, and create high-quality, diverse learning environments where all children benefit.”

“I’m deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for recognizing the urgent need in Washington Heights and Inwood and selecting School District 6 as one of the first communities to receive 2-K seats,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “For so many Northern Manhattan families, the cost of child care is an overwhelming burden, and this investment will make a real difference in parents’ ability to work and in giving our youngest learners a strong foundation. Expanding access to free, high-quality care — regardless of income, zip code, or immigration status — is an essential step toward true universal child care, and I’m proud that District 6 is helping lead the way.”

“Families across South Queens and the Rockaway Peninsula have endured generations of systemic disinvestment in their children’s education, from a lack of funding for their schools to a lack of urgency in ensuring our youngest students are given the proper head start they deserve. With District 27 set to become the borough’s first 2-K district this fall, we are taking another seismic leap forward in righting the wrongs of the past and building an education system rooted in equity,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “As the father of an elementary school student myself, I couldn’t be more excited for the freedom this program will deliver for our families — both for our kids and for parents who have been stretched thin by the cost of childcare. I look forward to working with the Governor, the Mayor and all our partners to ensure we deliver high-quality 2-K to every family in District 27 and, in time, beyond.”

“The 2-K districts announced today will provide direct relief to families that are bearing the brunt of the affordability crisis, and I am thrilled that Canarsie, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill are among the first communities to benefit from this historic expansion of childcare,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This is exactly the type of visionary change New Yorkers have demanded of their elected officials, and I thank Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for delivering results.”

“This initial launch of 2-K in neighborhoods across the city is a critical next step toward full universal child care, and I thank Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani for their leadership in moving this forward. Together with the City Council, we are expanding opportunity for our youngest New Yorkers and delivering real support for working families across our city,” said Speaker Julie Menin.“I have long championed universal child care as essential to making New York more affordable and equitable. From advancing the Council’s Universal Childcare Act in 2022 to advocating for the opening of a new early education center on the East Side of Manhattan, we are laying the groundwork to lead the nation on childcare.”

“Protecting our city’s future starts with protecting our families,” said Council Majority Leader Shaun Abreu. “Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to expanding 2-K is an investment in working parents, in our youngest New Yorkers, and in the long-term strength of our communities. When families have stability and support, our whole city thrives.”

“Expanding access to free, high-quality early education is one of the smartest investments we can make as a city,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair of the Education Committee. “I’m proud that District 10 is among the first communities to receive 2-K seats this fall. Universal child care strengthens working families, supports our youngest learners at a critical stage of development, and helps ensure that a child’s zip code, income level, or immigration status never determines their opportunity. I look forward to working with the administration and our local providers to make sure this rollout is strong, equitable, and delivers for Bronx families.

“One of the things we heard clearly at yesterday’s hearing on this administration’s path toward universal child care was the public’s call to rebuild trust, especially when it comes to keeping promises,” said Council Member Jennifer Gutiérrez, Chair of the Subcommittee on Early Childhood Education. “Announcing the first locations where 2-K will become a reality so quickly is a meaningful step in delivering on that commitment, and I’m encouraged to see some neighborhoods with the greatest need being prioritized. I look forward to continuing to work with the administration to expand this effort and ensure families across our city can access the care they need.”

“I commend Mayor Mamdani for delivering on his critical campaign promise to expand 2-K for working families, and I’m proud that our very own Community School District 23, serving Canarsie, Brownsville, and Ocean Hill, will be among the first to receive 2,000 2-K seats this fall,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Childcare costs in this city are soaring to thousands of dollars a month, and working families just can’t keep up. Free 2-K will work to directly keep working families of color here.”

“Far too many families in our community are forced to make impossible decisions about their child’s education and care because of rising costs and limited access,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman. “Universal child care must begin with meaningful, targeted investments in neighborhoods that need it most. These new 2-K seats, some of which are slated for my district, are a critical step toward making early childhood education truly accessible and affordable for every family. I want to thank Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul for this major investment in our city’s families and the future of our kids.”

“Access to childcare allows New York families, local communities, and our city’s economy to function. Children – regardless of immigration status – need access to nurturing and quality care to thrive, while families rely on childcare to allow them the freedom to work, go to school, and so much more,” said Murad Awawdeh, President and CEO, New York Immigration Coalition. “Thanks to a partnership between Governor Hochul and Mayor Mamdani, NYC is now ushering in a new era now with the promise of free child care for two-year-olds in New York City. Today’s announcement is the beginning of a roll out that will support the city to achieve universal care and, ultimately, serve all families, regardless of legal status, across the city. We thank the Mamdani administration for recognizing the challenges faced by so many hardworking New Yorkers including immigrant New York families.”

“With today’s announcement, the Governor and Mayor demonstrated a clear commitment to tackling New York City’s affordability crisis,” said Rebecca Bailin, executive director of New Yorkers United for Child Care. “Thousands of parents throughout the city can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they will save tens of thousands of dollars each year once their child turns two.This announcement is also a testament to the power of organizing. Parents and would-be parents, desperate to build a city they can afford to raise their families in, came together to demand free child care for two-year-olds – and now, we’re seeing that vision become reality.”

“When our oldest was ready for 3-K last year, we couldn’t get a seat – and we had to literally pay the price for it with private day care,” said Suz Kroeber, parent leader with New Yorkers United for Child Care and a mom of 2 in Washington Heights. “This year, things are completely different. Mayor Mamdani’s administration has shown up for parents in a way we haven’t seen in years. Applying for Pre-K was easier, and knowing that 2-K will be there in our neighborhood when our youngest turns two will be a game changer. Instead of pinching every penny just to cover daycare, we can start thinking about saving for college or retirement. All we want to do is raise our kids in New York City. 2-K makes that possible.”

“As a working mom of 2, life is already a juggling act. When you can’t find childcare, it’s not just about missing work — it’s about missing out on opportunities, feeling like you’re failing both at home and at your job. But when my daughter finally turned three last month I was able to enroll her in a pre-k seat. It wasn’t just a convenience — it was a game-changer,” said Cynthia Norris, working parent of 2 and member of New York Communities for Change. “I’m grateful that the Mayor and the Governor have taken these major steps towards expanding childcare access so other families don’t have to go through what mine did.”

The initial four communities were selected based on economic need, projected child care demand, existing access gaps, provider capacity and readiness. These first 2,000 seats are designed to serve families in high-need neighborhoods while ensuring programs launch responsibly and sustainably, with inclusive access for children with disabilities and families in temporary housing, including shelters.

Services will begin in September 2026, with rolling enrollment throughout the fall to accommodate children turning two at different points in the year. In the coming days, the City will begin planning efforts with child care centers and family child care providers in these four communities. Additional details on participating providers will be released in the weeks ahead.

Statement from Mayor Mamdani on Military Strikes on Iran

“Today’s military strikes on Iran — carried out by the United States and Israel — mark a catastrophic escalation in an illegal war of aggression. Bombing cities. Killing civilians. Opening a new theater of war. Americans do not want this. They do not want another war in pursuit of regime change. They want relief from the affordability crisis. They want peace.

“I am focused on making sure that every New Yorker is safe. I have been in contact with our Police Commissioner and emergency management officials. We are taking proactive steps, including increasing coordination across agencies and enhancing patrols of sensitive locations out of an abundance of caution.

“Additionally, I want to speak directly to Iranian New Yorkers: you are part of the fabric of this city — you are our neighbors, small business owners, students, artists, workers, and community leaders. You will be safe here.”

Mayor Mamdani Announces Completion of Weeksville Restoration, Preserving One of the Nation’s Oldest Free Black Communities

Four pre-Civil War homes restored months ahead of schedule in Crown Heights

BROOKLYN, NY — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA) and the New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) announced today the completion of a $4 million restoration of the historic Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn.

Construction began in fall 2024 and wrapped in February 2026 – two months ahead of schedule – preserving four wood-frame homes built in the 19th century that stand as the last remaining structures of one of the nation’s largest free Black communities before the Civil War.

“Weeksville tells the story of Black New Yorkers who built freedom for themselves in a country that tried to deny them it,” said Mayor Mamdani. “It was a sanctuary that offered safety, dignity, and opportunity in the face of economic injustice and systemic racism. It was nearly erased by urban renewal. By restoring the Hunterfly Road Houses, we are preserving not just historic buildings but a living legacy of resilience and self-determination.”

“Weeksville is a treasured part of our city’s cultural community, an organization that both preserves an important part of our city’s Black story and keeps it alive, relevant, and vital for future generations,” said DCLA Deputy Commissioner Alton Murray. “Together with our partners at DDC, DCLA is proud of our support for this important project to restore the historic Hunterfly Road Houses so they can continue to anchor Weeksville’s extraordinary mission and tell a key part of our city’s Black history.”

“This project was designed and completed with the greatest respect for the legacy of this community and this important part of the City’s African American history,” said Department of Design and Construction Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. “We are proud to have finished the restoration two months ahead of schedule, and to be able to celebrate the completion of this project for the center, the largest African American cultural institution in Brooklyn, during Black History Month.”

“The restoration of the Hunterfly Road Houses is a major milestone for Weeksville and for Brooklyn’s cultural landscape,” said Dr. Raymond Codrington, President and CEO of Weeksville Heritage Center. “We are deeply grateful to our partners at the City of New York, including the Mayor’s Office, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office, the New York City Council, and the Department of Design and Construction, for making this work possible and helping ensure these historic homes are preserved for generations to come.”

“I am proud to celebrate the restoration of the Hunterfly Road Houses at the Weeksville Heritage Center. Weeksville stands as a testament to Black self-determination, resilience, and cultural excellence in the face of systemic exclusion,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Commissioner Afua Atta-Mensah. “We must ensure that preservation and growth move forward together, strengthening rather than displacing the communities that shaped our city. This restoration safeguards more than historic structures; it preserves a legacy of freedom, community-building, and possibility that continues to shape and inspire New York City’s future.”

“The Hunterfly Road Houses in Weeksville are a cornerstone of Brooklyn’s African American history,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “This restoration ensures that Weeksville Heritage Center can continue educating and empowering Brooklynites while preserving the legacy of one of the largest free Black communities. Thank you to DCLA and DDC for working to safeguard this vital part of our borough’s history.”

“The completion of the 18-month project to renovate the historic Hunterfly Road Houses – the cornerstone of the Weeksville Heritage Center site – is worthy of celebration,” said Assemblymember Latrice Walker. “Kudos to everyone involved in this monumental effort, including the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs and the NYC Department of Design and Construction for their leadership. Thank you to the City of New York for funding the renovation to the tune of $4 million. I have been a big supporter of President and CEO Dr. Raymond Codrington who has been at the helm since 2021. My office directed $2 million in capital funds to help them continue their vital work. And Gov. Kathy Hochul announced earlier this month a $1 million investment for the Weeksville Heritage Center. The city and state are on one accord, committed not only to preserve the history of the Weeksville Heritage Center, but to also make it a destination for contemporary Black art and culture.”

The Hunterfly Road Houses are the only African American historic site in the Northeast located on its original site. The community of Weeksville, in present-day Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant, was founded in 1848 by James Weeks, a formerly enslaved man from Virginia who purchased the land with a group of free Black men. By the 1850s, Weeksville had grown to more than 500 residents, becoming a haven for Black New Yorkers seeking opportunity and safety. It also served as a refuge during periods of racist violence, including the 1863 Draft Riots in Manhattan.

Today, Weeksville Heritage Center educates the public about this history while serving as a vibrant space hosting yoga classes, arts and crafts, film screenings, exhibitions and intergenerational events that carry forward the spirit of self-determination that defined the original settlement.

As Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant face ongoing development and displacement pressures, the preservation of the Hunterfly Road Houses stands as a bastion of community memory – where everyday artifacts like spoons and hand-altered dolls, once mundane objects, now serve as sacred reminders of resilience, refuge, and the enduring power of Black self-creation.

The project restored the exterior of the houses, including the façades, siding, windows, doors and front-entry porches. The project also installed a climate-controlled storage room in the cellar of one of the homes to help preserve historical items. Upgrades also include new plumbing, exterior lighting, an upgraded fire alarm system equipped with smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors, and a new CCTV monitoring system. Funding for the project was provided by the NYC Mayor’s Office, the Brooklyn Borough President, and the New York City Council.

In 1968, local preservationists rediscovered the surviving houses, which had nearly been lost to urban renewal and development, and fought to preserve them for future generations. The Hunterfly Road Houses were designated a New York City Landmark in 1970 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1971.

Mayor Mamdani Announces $20 Million Investment in Strong Foundations Initiative to Expand Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health Programs for Families Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

Investment will dramatically expand eligibility criteria by including parents with more than one child, supporting perinatal and early childhood mental health clinics and expanding workforce opportunities for early childhood staff

NEW YORK, NY — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced that the NYC Health Department would receive a $20 million investment over three years for the groundbreaking Strong Foundations initiative as part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget. Strong Foundations will expand eligibility for the NYC Nurse-Family Partnership (NYC-NFP) to include parents with more than one child and allow enrollment later in pregnancy. As part of the three-year investment, the NYC Health Department will connect more families to visits from registered nurses that support healthy pregnancies and provide mental health resources for parents and young children while growing the mental health workforce. The funding will also expand training and workforce opportunities for early childhood mental health professionals, by establishing a three-year fellowship to develop a pipeline of clinicians with perinatal and early childhood experience.

“The cost-of-living crisis hits New York City families well before the birth of their kids, which is why our administration is stepping up assistance through Strong Foundations. All parents deserve access to high-quality prenatal and perinatal care, and today’s announcement will ensure that all New Yorkers, and particularly those who face structural barriers to care, are provided with the resources they need at the very beginning of their child’s life,” said Mayor Mamdani.

“The Mamdani administration is making good on its commitment to provide assistance to as many New York City families as possible. As a mother who has raised four children in New York, I understand the struggles that come with pregnancy, childbirth and infancy — and I know that far too many cannot access the care they need to navigate these experiences,” said NYC Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “Today, I am excited that this initiative, which has helped tens of thousands of parents throughout the city, will connect even more families to registered nurses, increase access to mental health care and grow training and workforce opportunities for early childhood staff. Through the Strong Foundations initiative, we are delivering another win to working families by providing comprehensive, high-quality health care where it was previously unavailable.”

“The health of our youngest New Yorkers begins with the wellness of their parents and caregivers,” said NYC Health Department Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “As a parent and the son of a Nurse-Family Partnership nurse, I know the benefits of high quality care and mental health support firsthand. Strong Foundations will enable us to reduce barriers and reach more expecting parents with individualized, compassionate care provided by dedicated nurses and mental health professionals.”

“ACS is proud to be working with the Health Department to ensure more NYC families have access to the support they need to thrive. We know that parenting, especially a newborn, is stressful. We also know that children’s earliest days provide foundation that impacts their lives in profound ways. This investment provides hands-on, destigmatized support to reduce stress and increase attachment so parents and their children can thrive,” Luisa Linares, Deputy Commissioner of the Family Services Division at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS).

Through Strong Foundations, nurses will receive additional training to serve more New York families and distribute additional supplies such as pack and plays, diapers and developmental toys.

This initiative will also support expanded capacity and staffing at the Health Department’s Perinatal and Early Childhood Mental Health (P+ECMH) Network clinics and invest in workforce development by funding specialized mental health certification for 20 practitioners annually and establishing a three-year fellowship program for new graduates to develop a pipeline of staff with the skills to support families with young children.

For more than 20 years, NYC-NFP has supported more than 25,000 expecting parents with a registered nurse through pregnancy, childbirth and through the child’s second birthday. The program prioritizes families who face structural barriers to care, including Medicaid enrollees, families involved in the foster care, child welfare or criminal justice system, and those facing housing instability. Clients report higher rates of breastfeeding, on-time childhood immunizations and improved economic self-sufficiency.

NYCEDC Launches Request for Proposals for Modular Public Restrooms Across New York City Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

$4 Million Request for Proposals Will Install and Expand Access to Modular, High-Quality Public Bathrooms Across Five Boroughs

Mamdani Administration Delivers on Promises Made, Continuing Fast-Paced, Focused Efforts to Improve Lives of Working New Yorkers

New York, NY – New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced the release of a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the production, delivery, installation and maintenance of high-quality modular bathroom units that will be located in neighborhoods across New York City. Originally announced in January by Mayor Zohran Mamdani, this $4 million pilot program will expand public restroom access citywide, while also delivering them faster and cheaper than traditional versions of public restrooms that require extensive underground construction to sewer and water lines that can take years to complete. Today’s announcement delivers on his commitment to release an RFP within the administration’s first 100 days in office. Mayor Mamdani announced the commitment at 12th Avenue and St. Clair Place, in upper Manhattan, where NYC DOT will be installing a self-cleaning public toilet that will be free to use, fully accessible, and contain a water bottle filler.

City agencies, including the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks), in coordination with NYCEDC, will determine where the modular bathroom units will be located. Rollout of these modular facilities is expected to be complete by the end of Summer 2026.

“Everyone in this city knows what it’s like to need a bathroom and have nowhere to go. That’s why we’re taking concrete action to build dozens of new public restrooms across New York City. Access to a restroom shouldn’t depend on how much money you make or where you work—it’s basic public infrastructure,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “For delivery workers, street vendors, drivers, and so many others, the workplace is the street. They don’t have an office bathroom to duck into, and they shouldn’t be punished for that. This is about building a city that works for everyone—so every New Yorker can move through their day with dignity, comfort, and respect, no matter their job, their income, or their ZIP code.”

“These modular public restrooms will serve as a blueprint for high-quality, cost-effective infrastructure that improves quality of life for millions of New Yorkers,” said NYCEDC Interim President & CEO Jeanny Pak. “As part of delivering on commitments made in the Administration’s first 100 days, NYCEDC is proud to work with Mayor Mamdani and our partners across city government to quickly advance this RFP to deliver practical, scalable solutions that will meaningfully enhance daily life for all New Yorkers.”

“Mayor Mamdani tasked us with making our streetscape the envy of the world, and this RFP represents an important step in the city’s process to more rapidly deploy public bathrooms later this year, improving the quality of life for everyone–and especially our seniors, parents with young children, delivery workers, and people with disabilities,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We look forward to working closely with EDC and Parks to help locate these bathrooms where they are needed the most.”

“NYC Parks is very proud to be the provider of the largest share of public restrooms in New York City, and we know how essential this infrastructure is in making our city welcoming, healthy, and dignified for everyone,” said NYC PARKS Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “We are eager and supportive of the city experimenting with new approaches that deliver high-quality public restrooms faster and more efficiently, and we welcome creative ideas that expand restroom access for New Yorkers and visitors alike. We look forward to evaluating options for placing modular public restrooms on the perimeter of parks.”

Proposals must be submitted to NYCEDC by February 24, 2026, by 4:00 PM ET. Click here to review the RFP requirements and learn how to apply.

This commitment is a part of the Mamdani Administration’s efforts to improve the public realm and to ensure New Yorkers can enjoy and travel around their city safely and with dignity. There are currently nearly 1,000 public restrooms in New York City, roughly 70 percent of which are in parks. This program will significantly increase the number of public restrooms elsewhere in the city – exponentially increasing the number of new restrooms that the city adds each year.

Similar projects in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, and other cities have delivered restrooms within months at a fraction of the cost as New York’s prior public restroom projects; this program will allow New York City to benefit from more widely available public restrooms, too.

Mayor Mamdani Provides Weather Updates at NYC Emergency Management Headquarters Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

See below for Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s prepared remarks for today’s weather update:

Good afternoon, New York City.

Yesterday, the snowstorm of the decade arrived, with winds of up to 60 miles per hour, and more than two feet of snow falling across parts of our city.

In some parts of Staten Island and the Bronx, this storm set new 24-hour records for recorded snowfall.

The forecast for today is dry, with some wind. There is a chance of some additional light snow tomorrow morning—with a maximum of two inches—as a fast-traveling system moves over our city.

Today, New York is back up and running thanks to the city workers who worked long shifts to clear our streets, keep our public transit running and respond to emergencies—as well as the everyday New Yorkers who did their parts to shovel sidewalks, clear a neighbor’s stoop and stayed off the roads when conditions were hazardous.

This was a whole of government response to a historic snowstorm.

2,600 sanitation workers, working in successive 12-hour shifts, utilized over 3,000 pieces of equipment to distribute over 143 million pounds of salt, and to plow every single street across all five boroughs at least once.

Alongside 1,214 Emergency Shovelers, they cleared 7,398 crosswalks, 1,777 fire hydrants, and 3,366 bus stops—although due to blowing snow after the storm, many will need to be readdressed. That work continues today.

If you want to support these efforts, it’s not too late to become an Emergency Snow Shoveler. You can still sign up by walking into any DSNY garage until 8PM tonight. All you need is two forms of identification and you’ll be paid $30 an hour.

Thanks to these teams’ hard work, school is back in session today.

I know that there are some who were concerned by the decision to return to in-person learning. I want to explain the reasoning behind it.

First, New York’s public schools were not in a position to facilitate remote instruction.

With students coming back from midwinter break, it was not possible to ensure every student had the devices they needed to effectively participate in remote learning.

Second, our public schools hold a purpose beyond providing a designated place for kids to learn.

They are critical to the health and wellness of nearly 900,000 children across our city.

Whether it’s a warm meal, essential mental health support, or a source of child care for working parents—in-person schooling is a resource that our city’s children and families depend upon.

When conditions are safe, our goal will always be to open our schools—and I want to commend the work of 8,000 DOE staff who worked throughout the weekend clearing entrances and keeping buildings warm to make sure our schools would be accessible and safe when students returned.

Though the storm may be over, that does not mean the danger to vulnerable New Yorkers has passed. Please continue to keep an eye out for anyone at risk.

An Enhanced Code Blue remains in effect through Wednesday morning.

Shelters will continue to operate with an open-door policy—no one will be turned away.

Outreach workers will continue canvassing all five boroughs to bring homeless New Yorkers inside.

Since Saturday, they’ve made 250 placements in shelters and other settings.

If you see someone in need of warmth or shelter, please call 311 immediately so outreach workers can assist.

In a Code Blue, these 311 calls are rerouted to 911.

You can also call 311 directly from our LinkNYC kiosks or use them to find the locations of warming centers across the city.

I also want to express my gratitude to the leaders standing alongside me today, the dedicated professionals manning our Emergency Operation Centers, and every agency staffer that has worked across government to serve New Yorkers.

That includes our NYPD Tow Truck Task Force, who worked to free stuck vehicles and ensured that emergency vehicles could get to New Yorkers in need.

In total, they towed 37 vehicles to safety during the storm, including 7 MTA Buses and 21 ambulances.

We have received over 1,800 reports of fallen trees, limbs down and hanging limbs citywide. The interagency Downed Trees Task Force—coordinated by the Parks Department—has been hard at work responding to these reports.

As we continue to respond to this blizzard, we are aware that narrow, hilly streets and tight corners on Staten Island were some of the areas hardest hit by the storm.

Some parts of Staten Island saw nearly 28 inches of snowfall—the largest amount recorded anywhere in the city. That, combined with high winds, have created large snow drifts across the Island.

DSNY has upped their Staten Island snow removal force to 500 personnel—a 210 person-increase—added even more pieces of hired equipment, and will be working throughout the day and the evening to clear snow and make roads passable.

Thanks to these efforts, 99.2% of roadways on Staten Island have received at least one pass from snow clearing equipment.

While New York City is steadily coming back online, there remain some interruptions to service. There will be no collection of trash today.

Collection will resume Wednesday evening on the 6PM shift.

We will be prioritizing trash and compost collection this week.

I ask New Yorkers to be patient throughout this process. Collection trucks are the same size that they’ve always been—but in many areas, twice the amount of material will be out, so delays are possible.

We expect collection will return to normal by Monday.

We expect recycling collection to resume next Monday.

Alternate Side Parking will be suspended through the end of the week. Now is the perfect time to dig your cars out, before the snow hardens into ice.

All library branches across the city are open.

City buildings are open to the public for in-person city services.

For New Yorkers relying on public transit, I recommend budgeting some extra time into your commute.

All local, limited and express buses are running with delays. There is reduced service in Staten Island, resulting in significant delays.

A number of express trains are running locally.

NYC Ferries are running on a modified weekday schedule today. Regular service will be restored tomorrow morning. As of 5 a.m. this morning however, the Staten Island Ferry has returned to a regular weekday schedule.

As temperatures rise later this week, we will see snow and ice falling from buildings.

This can be extremely dangerous. I encourage all New Yorkers to stay alert while walking outside.

Property owners: please take steps to clear your roofs, and while doing so, make sure you are implementing proper safeguards like putting out signage or temporarily closing off the sidewalk.

I want to continue to urge New Yorkers to look after yourselves as you shovel snow. Take regular breaks, protect your back and your heart by digging slowly and, take it from me—lift from your knees.

Mayor Mamdani, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez Urge New Yorkers to Apply for 3-K & Pre-K Application deadline is Friday, Feb. 27, 2026

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez encouraged families with children turning three or four this year to sign up for 3-K or Pre-K by Feb. 27, 2026, in a jointly released video in Spanish.

Applications are open to all eligible families, regardless of the language they speak or immigration status. Programs are free.

Mayor Mamdani/AOC Child Care

“Child care remains one of the largest financial burdens facing New York families. Programs like 3-K and Pre-K are free, open to any child turning three or four this year and can put an average $26,000 back in the pockets of working people,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If you haven’t signed up yet – now is the time. No matter the language you speak, your immigration status or zip code, there is a seat waiting for your child.”

Families can apply at myschools.nyc or call 718-935-2009. Applications are not first-come, first-served. Any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer.

Application support is available by phone or at one of the City’s 10 Family Welcome Centers across the five boroughs. Interpretation services are available in more than 200 languages. Online applications are available in 13 languages:

English
Albanian
Arabic
Bengali/Bangla
Chinese
Haitian Creole
French
Korean
Russian
Spanish
Ukrainian
Urdu
Uzbek

As part of the City’s whole-of-government effort to boost enrollment, the administration has:

Launched LinkNYC kiosk and NYC Ferry advertisements in English, Spanish, Mandarin and Russian, including targeted outreach in ZIP codes with large populations of non-English speakers.
Partnered with 19 trusted community organizations to host application workshops and conduct direct outreach, particularly to families hesitant to engage with government.
Worked with faith leaders, elected officials and community-based organizations to reach families in School Districts 4, 9, 14 and 17.
Hosted a multi-lingual and community media roundtable on Pre-K and 3-K.
Conducted outbound calls and texts to eligible families who have not started an application, focusing on districts with lower engagement rates than last year.
Coordinated with shelter-based staff to conduct on-the-ground outreach, including door-knocking and application events for families in shelters.
Announced the opening of a new Pre-K and 3-K center opening this fall on the Upper East Side as part of the administration’s effort to fix the broken 3-K system.
Highlighted the role of home-based providers in delivering universal 3-K through a mayoral visit.

As applications are reviewed, the city will activate additional resources to ensure every child receives a placement and every family is able to accept that placement.

This work aligns with the City’s bold commitment to fix the 3-K system and deliver universal access across all five boroughs, supported by funding from Governor Kathy Hochul.

This fall, the City will also take its first steps toward 2-K, launching 2,000 free child care seats as part of its commitment to universal 2-K by the end of 2029.

MAYOR MAMDANI DECLARES LOCAL STATE OF EMERGENCY, SNOW DAY FOR NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE

All Non-Essential Vehicles

Must Be Off New York City Streets from 9 p.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday

Emergency Declaration Takes Additional Steps to Protect New Yorkers During Major Snowstorm

All Public School Buildings, Except Those Operating As Warming Centers, Will Be Closed on Monday in a Traditional ‘Snow Day’

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today declared a local state of emergency ahead of a severe snowstorm expected to impact New York City. To ensure emergency responders and essential workers can move safely and quickly, city streets will be closed to non-essential vehicular traffic from 9 p.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday.

Limited exceptions apply to vehicles providing emergency services, public transportation, medical supplies, food, fuel, utility repairs and other critical services.

Mayor Mamdani also announced that all New York City Public School buildings, except those operating as warming centers, will be closed on Monday, Feb. 23. There will be a traditional ‘snow day.’ No remote instruction will take place, and all after-school activities are cancelled.

In coordination with the New York State Education Department, New York City has received a waiver from the 180-day instructional requirement to prioritize the safety of students, staff and families.

The Emergency Weather Declaration also:

Suspends Alternate Side Parking for Monday, Feb. 23.

Directs the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to monitor and enforce against price gouging.

Instructs New York City Emergency Management, the City of New York Fire Department, the New York City Police Department, the New York City Department of Sanitation, and the New York City Department of Transportation to take all necessary steps to protect public safety.

The order takes effect immediately and remains in effect for five days, except where otherwise limited, and unless extended or revoked.

City government has mobilized a coordinated, multi-agency response to clear roads, protect vulnerable New Yorkers, and maintain essential services.

“The safety of New Yorkers is my top priority. As this blizzard moves in, our administration is mobilizing every tool at our disposal, around the clock, to keep our neighbors safe. This emergency declaration allows us to cut through red tape so emergency vehicles, sanitation crews, and essential workers can move quickly and do their jobs without delay,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Out of an abundance of caution, schools will be closed tomorrow. We’ve also opened warming centers in all five boroughs to make sure no one is left out in the cold. I’m urging every New Yorker to please stay home. Check in on your neighbors, especially seniors and those who may need extra support. This declaration strengthens our ability to back up our first responders as they put themselves on the line, and it protects working families from price gouging during this storm. In moments like this, we show who we are as a city — we take care of each other.”

About the Local State of Emergency:

The declaration establishes a temporary citywide travel restriction by closing NYC streets, highways, bridges and tunnels to vehicular traffic from 9 p.m. Sunday to 12 p.m. Monday. Most vehicle traffic – including but not limited to commercial trucks, electric bicycles, scooters, and mopeds – is prohibited during that period, except for authorized categories.

Exempt vehicles include:

Government and emergency response vehicles

Public transit, including MTA buses and Access-A-Ride

Vehicles delivering food, fuel and medical supplies

Utility vehicles performing emergency repairs

Transportation for essential workers traveling to workplaces, including health care facilities, pharmacies, grocery stores, gas stations, media outlets, hotels and laundromats

Transportation to hospitals and court facilities

Nonprofit and private organizations providing emergency relief

City offices will be closed for in-person services on Monday. Essential employees must report to work; nonessential employees may telework. Violations of travel restrictions are punishable as a Class B misdemeanor.

Warming Centers and Shelter Access

The New York City Department of Social Services will deploy 22 warming busses citywide. Additional warming spaces are available at 11 NYC Health + Hospital facilities and 13 school locations. New Yorkers should contact 311 or visit a LinkNYC kiosk for the nearest site.

Department of Homeless Services (DHS) continues to operate under enhanced Code Blue protocols. During Code Blue, shelters operate under an open-door policy. Outreach teams are connecting unsheltered New Yorkers to safe, warm space. During a Code Blue, 311 is routed to 911 so first responders can mobilize quickly to reach the person in need. New Yorkers should call 311 if they see anyone in need of assistance.

New York City Health + Hospitals (H+H):

NYC Health + Hospitals will also deploy WARM (Winter Access, Relief and Medical) ambulettes and mobile units starting today. The mobile warming outreach initiative will provide clinical consultations, as well as distribute essential supplies including blankets, warm clothing, socks, warm meals, and water. The units will also drive unsheltered New Yorkers to a warm place of their choosing (shelter, warming center, etc).

NYC Health + Hospitals will be in constant communication to ensure adequate staffing and that patients know their options for care. For patient safety, the health care system has converted most in-person Monday clinic appointments to telehealth visits, as clinically appropriate. It will also quickly reschedule any missed appointment.

The City is directing all hospitals to exercise heightened caution when discharging patients, particularly vulnerable patients, during the cold weather. The City has also directed shelters and safe havens to monitor the areas around their buildings for any New Yorkers in need.

Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH):

The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is informing New Yorkers about how they can stay safe and warm, including by sharing recommendations on preparing for the winter storm, and what to do if you lose heat or hot water in your home.

All New Yorkers should take caution when using drugs or alcohol outside, as cold exposure increases risk. To best protect New Yorkers, the NYC Health Department is providing support to OnPoint so their Wellness Hubs remain open 24/7 through the blizzard to help community members seeking warmth and services.

Older New Yorkers should stay indoors, avoid shoveling, and take steps to prevent slips and falls. Older adult centers will be closed on Monday.

Infants, seniors, and people with paralysis or neuropathy are at increased risk of hypothermia and frostbite. Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors who may need assistance to ensure they are adequately protected from the cold. Recognize the signs and symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia:

Hypothermia: symptoms include slurred speech, sluggishness, confusion, dizziness, shallow breathing, unusual behavior, and slow, irregular heartbeat.

Frostbite: symptoms include gray, white or yellow discoloration, numbness, and waxy feeling skin.

The City is also mandating that a path of at least 4 feet must be cleared across all sidewalks to accommodate wheelchairs.

New York City Fire Department (FDNY):

Starting Sunday at 6 p.m., there will be five firefighters on all Engine Companies, with additional staffing citywide.

Four high-axle vehicles will be deployed, 1 in Staten Island, 1 in Queens, 1 in Brooklyn, and 1 in the Bronx.

FDNY will deploy ten Rapid Response Vehicles (RRV) for Cold Calls, 2 per borough. Each RRV will be staffed with 1 officer and 2 Firefighters.

Thawing apparatus deployed to all fires.

All ambulances will be equipped with chains.

Trainings will be canceled and scheduled members will be utilized in the field.

Extra staffing will be added for EMS.

New York City Police Department (NYPD):

NYPD Highway Patrol will be escorting DSNY to help salt and plow streets.

Tow truck task force is activated and trucks will be pre-staged across the city to assist any motorists who are stuck.

Additional high-water rescue teams have been activated since moderate coastal flooding is expected.

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS):

NYCPS facilities teams are working around the clock to shovel and de-ice school buildings, ensure adequate heating and backup power protocols are in place, and confirm emergency supplies are ready.

Clear and consistent communication with families remains a priority, with updates being shared in all NYCPS languages through letters, emails, SMS messages, social media, robocalls and website postings.

Mamdani Administration Begins First-Ever Expedited Review of Affordable Housing and Resiliency Projects

After years of delays under the prior administration, center will open in time for 3-K and Pre-K enrollment – quadrupling 3-K capacity and doubling Pre-K capacity in the ZIP code

Families have until Feb. 27, 2026 to apply for Pre-K and 3-K

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the long-anticipated opening of the District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center at 403 E. 65th St. on the Upper East Side, adding more than 130 Pre-K and 3-K seats this September.

First announced in 2022, the site was completed in July 2025 and remained unused under the prior administration despite community need. It will now open as the first standalone, city-run early childhood center in the 10065 ZIP code, underscoring the administration’s commitment to fixing the City’s 3-K system and delivering universal child care in New York City.

“While New York City families waited anxiously for child care options near their homes, the last administration refused to move with the urgency this crisis demands and let the District 2 Pre-K and 3-K Center sit idle for months. No longer,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Today’s opening will create more than 100 new seats for children as soon as this fall, and marks the beginning of our work to deliver universal child care by first delivering accessible child care. In the wealthiest city in the world, no parent should be forced to choose between raising their child and keeping their job.”

“Every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their zip code or circumstances,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “The opening of this 3-K and Pre-K center demonstrates our commitment to meeting families and communities where they are and providing the resources they need most. Early childhood education is the foundation for lifelong learning and success, and we’re working diligently to expand access across the city so that every family can give their child the strong start they deserve.”

“This is a big win for families in our district,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “Community Board 8 and I have been pushing for this center to open because parents were promised high-quality, accessible early childhood seats and they deserve nothing less. I appreciate the Mayor’s quick action in opening this facility. The building has been ready, and families have been waiting. I’m glad we’re finally moving forward after the delays of the previous administration so children can walk through these doors in Fall 2026. Expanding 3-K and Pre-K access is about opportunity, affordability, and giving working families the support they need — which is why for years I’ve been championing the expansion of early childhood education and putting New York City on the path to universal childcare. I’ll continue fighting to ensure our district and all New Yorkers get the early childhood resources they were promised.” 

This announcement comes amid a citywide campaign encouraging families in every corner of the city to apply for 3-K and Pre-K seats. Through LinkNYC advertisements in multiple languages, engagement with multilingual media and digital content creators and partnerships with faith-based and community organizations, the City is urging every family to apply before the Feb. 27, 2026 deadline.

As part of the City’s commitment to universal child care, and with funding provided by Gov. Kathy Hochul, Mayor Mamdani will roll out an initial 2,000 2-K seats this fall – the first time 2-K will be offered in New York City. Earlier this month, the City issued a new request for information (RFI) for 2-K and 3-K providers to deliver early child care services. It marks the first time in five years that providers have been invited to join the 3-K program.

In the coming months, the City will continue expanding 3-K capacity for fall 2026, including by partnering with community-based and home-based child care providers.

Mamdani Administration Begins First-Ever Expedited Review of Affordable Housing and Resiliency Projects

First project to use Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) plans to deliver more than 80 affordable homes in the Bronx

City Planning to advance Staten Island resiliency project and Affordable Housing Fast Track

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani launched the City’s first Expedited Land Use Review Procedure (ELURP) for 351 Powers Ave., a disposition of City-owned land that would create approximately 84 affordable homes.

The Department of City Planning will also begin the review process for the City to acquire a parcel next to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park on Staten Island as part of ongoing restoration and conservation efforts.

Approved by voters in November, ELURP offers a streamlined public review process for modest housing and climate resiliency projects. Both reviews will conclude within 90 days, down from roughly seven months under the standard process.

The Mamdani administration has also advanced the Affordable Housing Fast Track, which will accelerate public review for affordable housing proposals in the 12 community districts that produced the least affordable housing over the past five years. The City Planning Commission has proposed a transparent, efficient and accurate methodology to identify those districts and ensure the Fast Track fulfills its mission: making every neighborhood part of the solution to the city’s housing crisis.

“Treating the housing crisis with the urgency it demands means moving at the speed of need,” said Mayor Mamdani. “The Affordable Housing Fast Track and these first expedited projects are about action. Mott Haven is just the beginning. We are using every tool available to build affordable housing projects faster, so working people can afford to stay in the city they call home.”

“Delivering affordable housing more quickly is essential to building a city that New Yorkers can afford. With our first expedited ELURP projects, the forthcoming Affordable Housing Fast Track and other new tools, we’re ensuring that every neighborhood contributes to a more vibrant, sustainable, and inclusive New York City,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“Soon, this parking lot will become more than 80 affordable homes, including approximately 30 apartments for currently homeless New Yorkers as well as new community space,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy. “Our 351 Powers project is about using public land more responsibly and cutting through unnecessary delays so we can build more affordable housing faster. This is the new era of turning ready to build sites into quality, affordable homes at the speed this housing crisis demands.”

“Last year, voters authorized new tools to tackle the housing crisis and we’re wasting no time putting them to work. Expedited review for this income-restricted housing proposal will help get shovels in the ground and people into homes faster than ever. And this is only the start — I look forward to seeing many more projects take advantage of last year’s reforms to create the housing we need across New York City,” said Dan Garodnick, Director of the Department of City Planning and Chair of the City Planning Commission.

“351 Powers Avenue represents an important opportunity to expand housing options for our residents and families in the Bronx. As our city continues to face a housing crisis, it is critical that we invest in deeply affordable, high-quality, and safe housing that reflects the needs of our borough and preserves the character of our community. I want to thank Mayor Zohran Mamdani, the New York City Department of City Planning, and the New York City Housing Preservation and Development for their partnership and commitment to equitable growth,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Addressing our housing crisis requires collaboration at every level of government, and this project demonstrates what we can achieve when we work together to put families first.”

By shortening public review from seven months to 90 days, ELURP will speed delivery of new homes at a time of historic housing shortage.

The disposition of the 351 Powers Avenue site in Mott Haven, the Bronx would enable development of approximately 84 new affordable homes for low-income New Yorkers, including 30 for formerly homeless residents, on an undeveloped City-owned lot. Plans also call for a ground-floor workforce development training center, a theater and indoor and outdoor recreational space for residents.

The project advances the priorities of Mayor Mamdani’s Land Inventory Fast Track (LIFT) Task Force, created by Executive Order 04, and signed on his first day in office. The task force is charged with identifying City-owned sites capable of supporting at least 25,000 new homes by July 1.

On Staten Island, the proposed site selection and acquisition of land adjacent to Saw Mill Creek Marsh Park would strengthen local restoration and conservation efforts and expand climate resiliency infrastructure.

“We are thrilled to celebrate this important stage, and we look forward to breaking ground and realizing the vision to which so many have contributed,” said Anivelca Cordova, Principal at Lemle & Wolff. “We’re thankful for our partnership with HELP Development Corp, True Development, HPD, and local key stakeholders and for our shared commitment to strengthening and delivering meaningful, lasting impact within the Mott Haven Community.”

“Last November, New Yorkers voted to modernize our land use process to remove unnecessary barriers to building more affordable housing. It’s encouraging to see ELURP delivering exactly what voters envisioned — a faster, more predictable review that allows affordable housing and critical resiliency projects to move forward without unnecessary delay. At a time when our housing crisis demands action, this streamlined process helps turn strong proposals into permanently affordable homes for New Yorkers,” said Rachel Fee, Executive Director, New York Housing Conference.

“With a 1.4% vacancy rate, New Yorkers can’t afford to wait years for new homes to get approved,” said Annemarie Gray, Executive Director, Open New York. “In November, voters overwhelmingly voted to fix that, and we’re already seeing the results: 80 new affordable homes in the South Bronx, moving through a fast-track process that didn’t exist six months ago. We are in a dire housing shortage, and I am thrilled to see the administration act with urgency, embracing these new tools right out of the gate.”

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION ISSUES CITYWIDE “SUBSCRIPTION TRAP” COMPLIANCE WARNING TO NEARLY 200 GYMS

Action targets hard-to-cancel memberships and deceptive advertising

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) launched a compliance blitz, sending warning notices to 187 gyms and health clubs across the city including PureGym, Planet Fitness and Equinox.

The letters urge businesses to comply with state law governing membership cancellations and with the city’s Consumer Protection law, which prohibits deceptive advertising, like bait-and-switch pricing, that makes cancellations intentionally difficult. This outreach follows Mayor Mamdani’s executive order directing DCWP to lead a citywide crackdown on hidden junk fees and subscription traps.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t need a personal trainer to cancel a gym membership,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If a company makes it easy to sign up but nearly impossible to walk away, we will enforce the law and protect your time and your money.”

“Going to the gym is good for your health, but having to jump through hoops to cancel an unwanted membership is a waste of your time and money,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “Our citywide warning to gyms makes it clear that DCWP will not hesitate to take aggressive enforcement action against gyms using deceptive tactics that hurt consumers, as well as honest businesses playing by the rules.”

Gyms often force consumers through cumbersome and unnecessary hoops in order to cancel unwanted memberships. For example, a gym may offer a membership for free that turns out to be a bait-and-switch scheme where New Yorkers incur fees unexpectedly after enrollment. Others impose unnecessary hurdles without clear disclosure or burdensome administrative requirements before honoring cancellation requests. In 2025, the Department received dozens of complaints from consumers struggling to cancel their gym memberships.

Mayor Mamdani’s subscription traps executive order directs DCWP “to monitor, investigate, and enforce violations related to subscription tricks and traps,” including practices such as making cancellation of subscriptions or memberships intentionally difficult.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION SHARES CITY’S WEEKEND SNOW RESPONSE PLAN

City enters Code Blue and 2,600+ sanitation workers will be working each 12-hour shift to keep New Yorkers safe during blizzard

Over 1,000 emergency snow shovelers to be employed during active snowfall, a far larger and earlier deployment than in prior storms

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani announced the City’s efforts to prepare for Sunday’s winter weather conditions. The city is officially in a blizzard warning, with weather forecasts estimating 15 to 19 inches of snow total and the possibility of up to nearly two feet. Dangerous, sustained winds at 25 to 40 miles per hour, with frequent gusts reaching 55 mph are expected.

“Our city doesn’t wait for a crisis to act — we organize, we prepare, and we take care of each other. As this snowstorm approaches, our administration is mobilizing every resource available to keep New Yorkers safe, informed, and warm,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Our agencies will be here plowing streets, salting roads, and opening warming centers in every borough because public safety is a public responsibility. I’m urging all New Yorkers to look out for yourselves and your neighbors: stay home if you can, stay safe, and stay connected through Notify NYC for real-time updates.”

New Yorkers are also encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC, the City’s free emergency notification system, available in 14 languages including ASL. Through Notify NYC, New Yorkers can sign up to receive phone calls, text messages and email alerts about severe weather events and emergencies. To sign up for Notify NYC, text “NotifyNYC” to 692-692, visit nyc.gov/notify or follow @NotifyNYC on social media.

Safety Tips:

Stay informed. Before and during an emergency, the city will send emergency alerts and updates to New Yorkers through various channels, including Notify NYC. Sign up for emergency notifications online or call 311. You can also follow @NotifyNYC on social media.

Allow for extra travel time. New Yorkers are urged to use public transportation.

If you must drive, use extra caution. Use major streets or highways for travel whenever possible.

Vehicles take longer to stop on snow and ice than on dry pavement.

Four-wheel drive vehicles may make it easier to drive on snow-covered roads, but they stop less quickly than other vehicles.

Pedestrians should exercise caution and avoid slippery surfaces. Wear sturdy boots that provide traction to reduce slipping. Use handrails when using stairs.

Seniors should take extra care outdoors to avoid slips and falls.

Have heightened awareness of cars, particularly when approaching or crossing intersections.

Outdoor workers, such as those in construction and utilities, face risks from cold-related health impacts. Employers should implement safe work practices, provide appropriate protective equipment, and train workers on recognizing cold-related disorders, prevention strategies, and proper treatment.

Check on friends, relatives, and neighbors, especially older adults and people with disabilities, access and functional needs, or health conditions. Help them to prepare if needed.

Snowstorm Response

Beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning, New York City’s Emergency Management (NYCEM) agency activated the city’s Winter Weather Emergency Plan and on Saturday afternoon, placed the city under a Hazardous Travel Advisory. The Mamdani administration has already started pre-snow operations: 700 salt spreaders and thousands of plows are being prepared so crews can clear snow across the five boroughs beginning on Sunday and hundreds of pieces of outside equipment have been hired through existing city contracts to assist with snow clearing.

As the snow begins to fall Sunday morning, the Department of Sanitation (DSNY) will move to 12-hour shifts, with over 2,600 workers on each shift to keep our streets clear. The city will deploy over 1,000 emergency shovelers beginning Sunday night with additional shoveler registration allowed on a walk-in basis without appointment. While sidewalks are the responsibility of property owners, DSNY has expanded geocoded tracking of bus stops, crosswalks, pedestrian ramps and unsheltered bus stops. New Yorkers will be able to monitor their work in real time via our plow tracker at NYC.gov/plowNYC.

Due to the forecast, the mayor is advising New Yorkers to stay off the sidewalks and roads as much as possible. Snowfall is expected to melt, then refreeze, resulting in icy sidewalks and slick conditions.

The City’s response will span multiple agencies, including NYCEM, DSNY, the Department of Transportation, the Parks Department, New York Police Department and others. NYCEM’s full Emergency Operations Center (EOC) with city, state and utility partners will be activated at 8 a.m. on Sunday morning and continue through Monday.

Additionally, the NYPD is pre-staging tow trucks on highways and bridges, in case of transportation problems. The FDNY is increasing ambulance staffing and engine companies will be carrying a fifth firefighter beginning Sunday. FDNY is also proactively planning to clear hydrants on Monday morning, after a primary pass by Sunday’s snow clearing teams.

Housing, Shelters and Warming Centers

Homeless outreach teams that operate 24/7 across the city all year round will expand their efforts and the City is in continuous Code Blue operation starting Saturday afternoon through Tuesday morning, with the homeless outreach cadence increasing to every two hours and 311 calls for assistance being routed to 911.

Twenty-two warming buses will be deployed during the snowstorm. In addition, there will be 11 warming spaces located at NYC Health + Hospitals, as well as 13 school locations. For most up-to-date information on warming center locations, New Yorkers should contact 311 or visit a LinkNYC kiosk.

The two OnPoint Overdose Prevention Centers will be open overnight through the blizzard.

NYC Health + Hospitals will also be deploying WARM ambulettes. This mobile warming outreach initiative will provide clinical consultations, as well as distribute essential supplies including blankets, warm clothing, socks, warm meals and water.

All shelters have an open-door policy during Enhanced Cold Blue, which means any New Yorker can take advantage of the services provided at any time.

The city has directed all hospitals to exercise heightened caution when discharging patients, particularly vulnerable patients, during the cold weather. The City has also directed shelters and safe havens to monitor the areas around their buildings for any New Yorkers in need and encourage them to come indoors.

NYCHA has mobilized additional resources for this weekend, including extra teams deployed across elevator, heat and other technical teams for any skill trade repairs that may arise. NYCHA also has generators on standby that can be mobilized if needed.

NYCHA residents in need of non-emergency assistance should call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application.

HPD is increasing staffing levels to respond to heat and hot water complaints through this weather emergency to support storm response efforts.

If New Yorkers have issues with the heat or hot water in their apartment, they should call their landlord. If they do not quickly respond, tenants should call 311 and a uniformed HPD inspector will come, conduct an inspection, issue violations and if warranted, coordinate emergency repairs.

Flooding Preparedness

NYCEM recommends the following preparedness actions for New Yorkers for those in coastal flood-prone regions and low-lying areas:

Relocate parked vehicles to higher ground or inland, ensuring they do not obstruct roadways or block emergency access.

Communication and Information: Before and during an emergency, the City will send emergency alerts through various channels, including Notify NYC, available in 13 different languages, with a special sub-group dedicated to Basement Apartment Dwellers. Subscribe to Notify NYC at NYC.gov/NotifyNYC, download the app in your phone’s app store, or dial 311. Keep a battery-powered radio ready for timely updates, particularly if power outages are expected.

Gather Supplies: Every household member should have a Go Bag packed with essential items, such as bottled water, non-perishable food and basic medical supplies.

Tidal Awareness and Coastal Barriers: Monitor tide tables and storm surge forecasts. Know when high tides are expected in your vicinity and be prepared to adjust your plans. Where feasible, deploy sandbags or other deployables suitable for a residence to reduce the risk of tidal water intrusion.

Watercraft and Boat Security: If you own boats or watercraft, secure or relocate them immediately. Fluctuating tides can not only carry them away but loose watercraft can cause additional damage.

Storm Drains and Local Warnings: If it’s safe to do so, check and clear any nearby storm drains to help manage water runoff and lessen the chances of localized flooding. Pay attention to localized warnings, especially those pertaining to rip currents and high waves.

Home Safety and Utility Measures: Ensure your home’s pumps are operational and familiarize yourself with how to safely shut off utilities like gas, water and electricity. If you reside in a basement or below-grade apartment, be particularly vigilant, as these areas are more susceptible to flooding. Follow City guidance for additional actions specific to below-grade dwellings. Subscribe to Notify NYC’s Basement Apartment Dweller subgroup for key alerts.

Document & Insurance Review: Secure essential documents in waterproof containers and maintain digital backups. Review your insurance to ensure you have specialized flood coverage, as standard policies often don’t cover flood and wind damage. Consider enrolling in the National Flood Insurance Program. Learn more at floodsmart.gov.

Prepare for Outages: To gear up for potential power disruptions, keep your cell phones charged, stock up on supplies. If power outages are predicted, consider adjusting your refrigerator and freezer to colder settings to extend the shelf life of perishable items. Ensure that flashlights and battery-operated radios or TVs are functional, keeping extra batteries on hand. If you rely on Life Sustaining Equipment (LSE) and lose power, dial 911 for immediate assistance, and remember never to use generators indoors. Check on vulnerable individuals in your community, such as older adults and people with disabilities or health conditions, and assist them in their preparations.

Pet Safety: Make provisions for your pets’ safety, including the need to leave your home and to take your pet with you.

Plan for Special Needs & Check on Your Neighbors: Make it a point to check on neighbors who are older adults or who may require special assistance. If you have a disability or specific access and functional needs, make sure your emergency plan accounts for how these factors could impact your ability to respond quickly and communicate effectively during a crisis. Seek assistance from your family or service providers as needed.

Avoidance and Caution: Do not venture into flooded areas. These zones may be contaminated or electrically charged. Take preemptive action by assembling a Go Bag with essentials like food, water and first-aid supplies.

Documentation: When it’s safe, contribute to our collective flood risk understanding by capturing and submitting photos via the MyCoast portal (mycoast.org/ny) or the MyCoast app. Don’t forget to also file flood reports through 311.

Real-Time Awareness: Stay updated on changing flood conditions by monitoring real-time flood depth via the FloodNet website (floodnet.nyc).

Other Agency and Partner Updates and Procedures:

New York City Public Schools (NYCPS):

A decision regarding public schools on Monday will be announced by 12 p.m. Sunday, at which time students, families and teachers will be informed if schools will operate in person.

In preparation, teams are working with IT vendors to conduct load testing to ensure systems are fully ready. DIIT recently completed load testing for up to 1.2 million logins as of Monday. Families can access technical support through the Service Desk at 718-935-5100 (Monday–Friday, 6 a.m.–6 p.m.; Saturday–Sunday, 8 a.m.–2 p.m.) or via the SupportHub Online Portal at supporthub.schools.nyc

Students will be supported with the tools they need for a successful remote day, in close coordination with school-based teams to ensure a smooth transition if needed.

NYCPS facilities teams are working around the clock this weekend to shovel and de-ice school buildings, ensure adequate heating and backup power protocols are in place, and confirm emergency supplies are ready.

Clear and consistent communication with families remains a priority, with updates being shared in all NYCPS languages through letters, emails, SMS messages, social media, robocalls and website postings.

Department of Transportation (DOT):

Alternate Side Parking is suspended for Monday; parking meters are still in effect.

The agency will support DSNY’s snow removal efforts

Mamdani Announces Mayor Expansion of Protected Time Off for $4.3 Million Workers and New Data-Driven Enforcement Strategy

Protected Time Off categories expanded to include child care; 32 hours of unpaid leave immediately upon hire

Today’s event with Commissioner Levine, Councilmember Nurse and Amazon workers attempting to unionize was pooled, footage available HERE

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani was joined by New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine to celebrate the expansion of the City’s Protected Time Off Law, formerly known as the Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, and to announce new enforcement actions, that including compliance warnings to 56,000 employers and a new data-driven strategy to ensure workers can use the time the law guarantees.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to choose between doing their job and caring for their family, protecting their safety, or keeping their housing secure,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Today, we’re putting employers on notice — sending compliance warnings to 56,000 businesses and launching a data-driven enforcement strategy to make sure workers can actually use the time they’ve earned. When life happens, your job shouldn’t be the thing that falls apart.”

Effective Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, Local Law 145 requires employers to make an additional 32 hours of unpaid protected time off immediately available upon hire and again on the first day of each calendar year. The update guarantees instant access to protected time off and protects employees from discipline if they have used their paid protected time balances.

The law also expands the reasons employees may use protected time off to include:

Caring for a child, including school holidays and child care disruptions

Caring for a family or household member with a disability

Attending benefits or housing appointments or hearings

Staying home during public emergencies declared by the government, such as snowstorms or power outages

Addressing needs related to workplace violence

“New York City has some of the nation’s strongest protected time off laws, and now they are even stronger. This makes all the difference for working New Yorkers facing a child care emergency or anything else life throws at us,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “By expanding protected time off and ensuring immediate access to additional hours, we are building an economy that puts people over profits.”

The announcement was made at Angelo’s Deli in Maspeth, where Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine, and Council Member Sandy Nurse joined 12 Amazon workers organizing with the Teamsters for a coffee roundtable conversation about the realities of taking time off in low-wage, high-pressure workplaces. The Mayor listened as workers described balancing child care, housing appointments, and unpredictable work schedules.

Protected Time Off Law

Under the City’s Protected Time Off Law, in effect since 2014, most employees have the right to up to 40 or 56 hours of paid protected time off per year. Employers must also provide 20 hours of paid prenatal leave in addition to protected time off.

In addition to the new reasons added under Local Law 145, employees may use Protected Time Off for:

Medical care or to recover from an illness or injury

Caring for a family member who is sick or has a medical appointment

Needs related to domestic violence and certain other crimes

Enforcing the Protected Time Off Law

Today DCWP also launched an enforcement blitz, sending letter to more than 56,000 employers across the five boroughs, including all city restaurants, prior DCWP enforcement targets and DCWP licensees. The letters outline the law’s requirements, employee notice obligations, compliance tools and consequences for violations.

Employers that violate the law face employee relief and civil penalties ranging from $250 to $2,500 per employee, plus back pay.

New Data-Driven Enforcement Strategy

In tandem with Local Law 145, DCWP released a new report outlining a data-driven enforcement strategy to support companywide investigations when employers illegally restrict Protected Time Off. The approach compares employers’ paid sick leave use rates with national data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The report finds that the need to use sick leave is universal across industries and demographics. If employer records show unusually low use rates, DCWP will treat that as strong evidence of potential violations and, effective immediately, pursue enforcement on behalf of all affected employees.

Employers that fail to offer compliant protected time off must pay each affected employee at least $500 per year, plus an equal amount in civil penalty. For example, an employer with 100 employees could owe $300,000 for violations over three years, divided evenly between employee relief and civil penalties. Subsequent violations may result in penalties of up to $1,000 per employee, per year.

Employer Tools

DCWP encourages employers to conduct self-audit and eliminate unlawful barriers to use. The agency has created a Protected Time Off Usage Compliance Tracker, available at nyc.gov/dcwp.

Common violations that can lead to low use rates, include: Failing to offer a protected time off benefit.

Nonexistent or insufficient written policies

Unlawful administration systems. Absence control policies that discipline workers for last-minute callouts or “no call, no show.” Unlawful restrictions on employees’ use of sick leave

Worker Protections

Employers must provide written notice of workers’ rights to Protected Time Off and paid prenatal leave. Advance notice may be required only for foreseeable uses, such as scheduled medical appointments or court hearings. Workers do not have to provide advance notice for unexpected needs, including illness or child care disruptions, and do not have to disclose details about why they used leave. Documentation may be required only after four or more consecutive workdays of leave.

“These expansions respond to the real challenges New Yorkers face – from the rising cost of child care to extreme weather emergencies,” said Mayor Mamdani. “No one should have to choose between caring for themselves or their loved ones and keeping their job. In New York City, we are making sure they don’t have to.”

REMARKS AS PREPARED: MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI DELIVERS WEATHER UPDATE

See below for Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s prepared remarks on today’s weather update:

Good afternoon, New York.

Tomorrow, our city will face its second snowstorm in less than a month and our first blizzard since 2016. Right now, forecasts predict light snow will begin to fall tomorrow morning at 6:00 AM.

Over the course of the day, it will grow heavier, with intense snowfall beginning at 6:00 PM and dangerous winds increasing overnight, conditions that will persist through Monday morning and into the evening.

We are now expecting between 13 and 17 inches of snow. But there is a slight chance we may see up to 20 inches, or even more. This means we are forecasted to receive up to 6 inches more than fell a few weeks ago.

New Yorkers can expect that the Monday morning commute will be extremely hazardous, with heavy snowfall and peak winds coinciding to create slippery conditions and greatly reduced visibility.

Combined with daytime temperatures slipping above freezing, and overnight lows dropping to the low 20s, this snowfall will melt, then refreeze, resulting in dangerously icy sidewalks and streets.

I am asking all New Yorkers to stay inside and stay off the roads for your safety. These have the potential to be even more hazardous conditions than we faced in the last storm.

To protect our homeless and most vulnerable New Yorkers, Code Blue operations will take effect once again, starting at 4:00 PM this afternoon. That means our dedicated outreach teams will intensify their operations, traversing all five boroughs 24/7 to bring those most at risk inside.

Let me be clear: no one will be denied shelter.

We want every New Yorker who needs help seeking warmth to be able to find it.

We will have 18 warming buses, 11 Health + Hospitals warming spaces, 13 school warming centers open across the city—and we are redeploying H+H mobile warming units to provide clinical support, socks, gloves and warm food. We are also keeping our on-point overdose prevention centers open overnight through the blizzard.

You will be able to find the locations of all our warming centers on a LinkNYC kiosk by 6:00 AM tomorrow morning.

Once again, I am asking that New Yorkers continue looking out for their neighbors. If you see someone in need, please call 311 immediately so our outreach workers and first responders at FDNY and NYPD can provide assistance. For those who may not have easy access to a phone, you can call 311 directly from our LinkNYC kiosks to seek help.

If you are having issues with the heat and hot water in your apartments, call your landlord first. If you don’t hear back quickly, call 311. We have inspectors and staff working overtime this weekend at HPD.

NYCHA residents in need of non-emergency assistance should call the Customer Contact Center at 718-707-7771 or submit work tickets through the MyNYCHA application.

DSNY has already begun pre-snow operations, preparing equipment, mounting plows and chains on over 2,200 vehicles, and loading up more than 700 salt-spreaders.

When more than two inches of snow have fallen, plows will be dispatched across our city. New Yorkers will be able to monitor their work in real time via our plow tracker at https://plownyc.cityofnewyork.us/plownyc/. Tomorrow morning, this fleet will roll into action with over 2,600 sanitation workers beginning 12-hour shifts, salting as the first snow begins to fall, before commencing plowing operations once snow has reached a plowable depth.

While DSNY focuses on snow clearing in response to this blizzard, they will be running at least one day behind on garbage and recycling collection.

DOT crews have already begun pre-treating road surfaces on Sunday and will follow an extended schedule on Monday to ensure our bridges and highways are treated and cleared throughout the storm.

The Parks Department will also mobilize their own fleet to clear over 2,000 miles of pathways in parks across the city.

We are currently anticipating some level of flooding in Jamaica Bay, Staten Island and the Battery. If that occurs, the city will deploy field response teams and determine further interagency actions from DEP, DOT and FDNY.

We are always seeking ways to improve our efforts to support New Yorkers.

That’s why ahead of this storm our agencies have made several changes to enhance our storm preparedness and service citywide.

Here’s what we’re doing differently:

We’ve brought in outside mechanical snow-clearing equipment ahead of the snowfall—an unprecedented early activation of this resource.

We are expanding geocoded tracking of bus stops, unsheltered stops, crosswalks, and pedestrian ramps to improve the rate at which they’re cleared.

We are also mandating that a path of at least 4 feet must be cleared across all sidewalks to accommodate wheelchairs.

All operational agencies will be paying increased attention to clearing fire hydrants, crosswalks, and bus stops around their property as part of our primary snow-clearing operation.

Lyft has committed to greatly expand the number of CitiBike station snow-clearing crews, expediting their snow removal efforts. DOT will remain in contact with Lyft throughout the storm.

DSNY will deploy over 1,000 Emergency Snow Shovelers beginning Sunday night—another early activation.

To aid this effort, we’ve added an additional evening shift with 300 shovelers in advance of the height of the storm, and we’re utilizing 33 DSNY vans and 2 DSNY buses to transport shovelers where they’re needed, faster.

And for those who want to do more to help your neighbors and earn some extra cash, you too can become an Emergency Snow Shoveler.

Just show up to your local Sanitation Garage between 8am and 1pm tomorrow with your paperwork—accessible online at NYC-dot-gov-slash-snow—and you can get started right away.

While we have not yet made a final decision regarding in-person school for Monday, we are monitoring conditions and will communicate a decision to students, teachers and parents by noon tomorrow. The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority.

Alternate side parking will be suspended for Monday.

I urge all New Yorkers to sign up for NotifyNYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 to stay informed on the latest forecast and conditions. You can also visit NYC.gov/BeReady for more information.

As always New York—stay warm, stay inside, stay prepared, stay safe.

Thank you.

Mayor Mamdani Provides Update on Action Plan for Jails, Migrant Shelters

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani provided an update on the City’s plan to meet the Board of Correction (BOC) minimum standards and implement Local Law 42.

The Mayor directed the Law Department and Department of Correction (DOC) to develop a plan in collaboration with the newly appointed remediation manager, the Nunez Monitor, the City Council and all parties involved in the Nunez case to improve conditions on Rikers Island for both staff and people in custody. The directive was issued through Emergency Executive Order 1.

The plan requires ending 12-hour shifts for all correctional staff by spring 2026 and returning to eight-hour tours. It calls for a plan by summer 2027 to end commingling — the practice of housing people in custody of all ages together — through facility assessments and adjustments. It also calls for a plan to formalize pre-arraignment court security operations with the New York City Police Department through a renewed memorandum of understanding.

The DOC will immediately return to standard procurement rules. The Mayor also signed Emergency Executive Order 1.9, which ends procurement-related suspensions, continues to suspend other provisions of the law, and directs the DOC and the Law Department to regularly update the mayor regarding additional suspensions that can be lifted as the City works to implement the action plan.

“Today, we are taking a decisive step to improve conditions and move our jail system toward long-term stability and safety for those in custody and correction staff,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “For too long, city government allowed entrenched problems and operational breakdowns to persist. This plan shifts us away from temporary stopgaps and toward sustainable reform.”

“At Mayor Mamdani’s direction, the Department of Correction and Law Department developed this plan to address long-standing issues in our jail system,” said Corporation Counsel Steve Banks. “We will begin implementing it in coordination with the remediation manager and, when required, with the approval of the remediation manager, the Monitor and the Court. Our goal is clear: achieve compliance with Board of Correction standards, implement Local Law 42, strengthen oversight and improve conditions at Rikers Island.”

“This plan marks an important next step in addressing issues that have festered for far too long,” said DOC Commissioner Stanley Richards. “Under Mayor Mamdani’s leadership, we are moving from crisis-driven operations to safe, sustainable jail management.”

Shelter Plan

The City has produced a plan to return the shelter system to compliance with legal and regulatory standards that were suspended in response to the asylum-seeker humanitarian crisis.

The plan focuses on three priorities: closing the last remaining emergency asylum seeker shelter site and transitioning residents into compliant Department of Homeless Services (DHS) facilities; bringing single-adult shelters into compliance with capacity limits; and meeting compliance standards for family shelters, with a focus on access to cooking facilities.

The City will pursue these goals through phased transitions, accelerating exits to permanent housing and strengthening prevention and diversion programs to reduce the overall shelter census.

Mamdani Administration Breaks Ground on Timbale Terrace Affordable Housing Development

Project will include 341 affordable homes, including apartments for formerly homeless New Yorkers

Development will include a permanent home for Casa Belongó Music and Arts Center, expanding access to arts and cultural education in East Harlem

New York, NY — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani, city officials and development partners broke ground on Timbale Terrace, a 100% affordable, mixed-use development that will deliver 341 affordable homes and a new community arts center to East Harlem.

The project marks a major milestone for the City’s commitment to deeply affordable housing and to building on underused public land for public good.

Timbale Terrace will transform a former NYPD parking lot into permanently affordable housing, community space and replacement parking. The development will include 97 homes reserved for formerly homeless New Yorkers through the NYC 15/15 program, including 30 units for young people aging out of foster care. On-site wraparound services focused on health, education and employment will be provided by Lantern Organization.

The development will also house the new Casa Belongó Music and Arts Center, a more than 20,000-square-foot cultural space for music education, performance and community programming. The center will serve as a permanent home for Belongó and as a cultural anchor in East Harlem.

“Affordable housing is the foundation of a rich, diverse city where all New Yorkers can live with dignity. Timbale Terrace shows what’s possible when we use public land to meet public need. By building deeply affordable homes across the five boroughs, we are making New York City a place families can afford to stay and thrive,” said Mamdani.

“Timbale Terrace exemplifies the best of our affordable housing efforts: strengthening neighborhoods, enlivening the street, creating cultural space, and creating affordable housing for the New Yorkers who need it most. This groundbreaking is a major step forward for East Harlem and shows what is possible when government is working with and for communities. I am looking forward to working with partners across the city to create even more affordable housing on city-owned sites in the years to come,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“Timbale Terrace will deliver 341 affordable homes to East Harlem, nearly a third of which will be set aside for formerly homeless New Yorkers and youth aging out of foster care,” said New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC) President Eric Enderlin. “HDC is proud to support this development and grateful to our partners for their commitment to expanding much-needed affordable housing, supportive services, and vibrant cultural resources in this community.”

Located at East 118th Street and Park Avenue, Timbale Terrace will activate the Park Avenue commercial corridor with ground-floor uses and incorporate sustainable design features. The project was identified through the East Harlem Neighborhood Rezoning plan approved in 2017. The City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) released a competitive request for proposals for the site in 2019, and Mega Development LLC and Lantern Organization were designated in 2021, with Belongó as a cultural partner.

The development is supported by city subsidy, Housing Development Corporation bonds, the Department of Cultural Affairs, former Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, the New York City Council and state and private partners.

“Timbale Terrace is a blueprint for what is possible in addressing our city’s affordability crisis,” said New York City Comptroller Mark Levine. “From the very beginning, this was a project that centered community voices, and aims to deliver a rich cultural and economic boost through the programs it prioritizes, including the Casa Belongó Music and Arts Center. I am proud to see it break ground today, and look forward to its completion in the near future.”

“I’m thrilled to join Mayor Mamdani, HPD, HDC, DCLA, and our committed partners in breaking ground on Timbale Terrace, a shining example of 100% affordable housing combined with vital supportive services and a new cultural cornerstone for East Harlem,” said Manhattan Borough President Brad Hoylman-Sigal. “I commend Mayor Mamdani’s leadership on truly affordable housing, our city agencies, Lantern Organization, Belongó, Mega Development LLC, Goldman Sachs, and state partners for delivering on the East Harlem Neighborhood Rezoning Plan. Timbale Terrace points the way to the inclusive, sustainable future our borough deserves.”

“We are proud to deliver a transformative development that will not only provide high-quality, affordable homes for hundreds of families, but also create a vibrant cultural hub for the community,” said Emanuel Kokinakis, Development Principal, Mega Group. “Timbale Terrace in partnership with Belongo, with its state-of-the-art performance facility and educational spaces, stands as a testament to the generational impact we hope to achieve on all our projects.”

“At Lantern Organization, we believe that every person and every neighborhood deserves a chance to grow. For almost thirty years, in the face of trauma and health challenges, Lantern’s residents have proven that a better future is possible. They have shown that when we invest in each other, when we believe in the possibility of growth, we can change individual lives and strengthen our communities,” said Dan Kent, President and CEO, Lantern Organization. “Their courage and perseverance inspired Timbale Terrace, and it inspires us every day to fight for homes and neighborhoods where all people can thrive. We are forever grateful to the City of New York and our project partners for making this incredible project possible.”

“For nearly 20 years, Belongó has served as an unwavering and passionate steward of Afro-Latin jazz, enriching our cultural landscape and deepening our appreciation for this unique art form of the Americas. As a key component of Timbale Terrace, the New York State Council on the Arts is proud to support the construction of this new performance hall, further strengthening Harlem’s rich cultural bounty, amplifying Belongó’s extraordinary programming, and ensuring the joy and power of Afro-Latin jazz continues to enrich this community and all New Yorkers for generations to come,” said New York State Council on the Arts Executive Director Erika Mallin.

“Casa Belongó marks a historic moment for East Harlem and New York City. It is about creating a permanent home where music, education, and community can live together, rooted in the neighborhood that gave birth to Latin jazz. Timbale Terrace allows us to honor that history while investing in the future, ensuring that artists, students, and families have access to culture, learning, and belonging for generations to come,” said Marietta Ulacia, Executive Director, Belongó.

“Timbale Terrace and Casa Belongó deliver the trifecta of affordable housing, a cultural hub, and pathways to opportunity for generations to take root and grow,” said Asahi Pompey, global head of Corporate Engagement and Chair of the Urban Investment Group at Goldman Sachs. “This development anchors families in a vibrant neighborhood where community and economic prosperity go hand in hand. Together, they will build lasting legacy in East Harlem.”

MAYOR MAMDANI LAUNCHES 2-K AND 3-K REQUEST FOR INFORMATION — FIRST STEP TOWARDS UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE

First time NYC is inviting providers to join 2-K

For the first time in five years, new providers will be invited to offer early childhood services

Administration also releasing surveys to existing providers interested in expanding capacity

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined New York City preschoolers to announce the administration’s first step on the path to launching 2-K and expanding 3-K access in all five boroughs: a new request for information for 2-K and 3-K providers. Building on last month’s announcement of 2-K alongside Governor Kathy Hochul, today’s procurement news marks the first time that providers are being invited to join 2-K programs, and the first time in five years new providers are being invited to join 3-K.

By expanding 3-K programs and rolling out 2-K seats in initial neighborhoods this fall, with plans to expand to serve all interested families citywide by year four, the Mamdani Administration is ensuring parents can afford to start a family in New York City.

“The cost of child care is pushing New Yorkers out of the city they call home—forcing parents to give up careers they fought for and to make impossible choices about whether they can afford to grow their families at all. That’s not an accident, it’s a policy failure. And it’s why this administration is moving with urgency to deliver universal child care,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Just 36 days in, we are launching a Request for Information to bring new providers into 2-K and 3-K, alongside a survey inviting current providers to expand. Our commitment is simple: every family who needs childcare should be able to get it—and the educators and providers who make it possible must have the support they deserve.”

“This is another exciting and important moment for early childhood education in New York City,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “We’re taking a thoughtful approach to giving our youngest learners a strong foundation, one that begins with listening to our community partners and responding to where families need us most. Through deliberate planning, we’re committed to sustainable growth that expands access for New York’s cutest while supporting the dedicated educators and providers who make early learning possible across all five boroughs.”

Today, Feb. 5, 2026, the City is opening a request for information (RFI) for new providers interested in offering 2-K and 3-K services. The administration is also releasing surveys to existing contracted early childhood providers who may be interested in expanding current capacity or providing 2-K programs in the fall. The RFI and expansion surveys are being issued by New York City Public Schools in coordination with the Mayor’s Office of Child Care. Submissions are due by Feb. 19, 2026.

Mayor Mamdani Releases Balanced Fiscal Year 2027 Preliminary Budget

Confronting inherited fiscal mismanagement, Mayor outlines two paths forward: tax the rich & end the drain — or force working New Yorkers to pay the price

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani released the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Preliminary Budget, outlining the scope of a fiscal crisis inherited from the prior Administration and presenting two clear paths forward: raise revenue from the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations and end the drain of City resources to the State — or balance the budget on the backs of working and middle class New Yorkers.

“There are two paths to bridge the city’s inherited budget gap. The first path is the most sustainable and fairest: raising taxes on the wealthiest and corporations, and ending the drain by fixing the imbalance between what the City provides the State and what we receive in return,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If we do not go down the first path, the City will be forced to go down a second, more harmful path of property taxes and raiding our reserves — weakening our long-term fiscal footing and placing the onus for resolving this crisis on the backs of working and middle-class New Yorkers. We do not want to have to turn to such drastic measures to balance our budget. But, faced with no other choice, we will be forced to.”

Upon taking office, the Mamdani Administration identified a pattern of underbudgeted essential services, including rental assistance, shelter operations and special education — that widened projected gaps stated in the November 2025 Financial Plan Update to roughly $12 billion across FY 2026 and FY 2027. To restore transparency and stability, the Mamdani Administration launched aggressive new savings initiatives, maximized the use of in-year reserves and incorporated updated revenues. Through Executive Order 12, Mayor Mamdani is requiring every city agency to designate a Chief Savings Officer (CSO) to identify recurring efficiencies. These savings initiatives are projected to save $1.77 billion across the two fiscal years.

After applying savings, revenue adjustments driven by an upward revision of $7.3 billion in tax revenue, and State support — including $1.5 billion in from Governor Kathy Hochul and an additional $97 million in Foundation Aid — the City faced a remaining two-year gap of $5.4 billion. The Mamdani Administration’s preferred solution is recurring revenue: increasing personal income taxes on New Yorkers earning more than $1 million annually and raising taxes on the most profitable corporations, while recalibrating the City’s long-imbalanced fiscal relationship with the State.

Absent new revenue authority, the City will be forced to use the only tools currently available to increase revenue and fill this gap: property taxes and the use of reserves. The $127 billion FY 2027 Preliminary Budget assumes a 9.5 percent property tax rate increase — generating $3.7 billion in FY 2027. The City also applied $980 million from the city’s Rainy Day Reserve Fund in FY 2026 and $229 million from the Retiree Health Benefit Trust in FY 2027 in order to balance the budget as legally required.

Of $14 billion in city-funded agency expense changes across the two fiscal years, the vast majority fills underbudgeted needs. Roughly 4 percent – $576 million – supports targeted investments, including: $100 million in FY 2026 for snow removal; $5 million in FY 2026 for warming centers and shelter connections for homeless New Yorkers; $11.9 million in FY 2027 for new Street Health Outreach & Wellness (SHOW) mobile units and a new Bridge to Home site for people living with severe mental illness; $5.3 million in FY 2026 and $38 million in FY27 for 200 new attorneys and 100 support staff to reduce tort liability and advance affordability efforts; and more than tripling baseline funding for HRA’s Community Food Connection program with an addition of $54 million in FY 2027. The Preliminary Five-Year Capital Plan totals $113 billion in all-funds and includes $662 million in FY 2027 to modernize and preserve more than 3,200 affordable housing units and $48.2 million starting in FY 2027 to fully fund the renovation and expansion of Bellevue’s Adult Comprehensive Psychiatric Emergency Program.

Mayor Mamdani Announces City Will Restart Construction of Four Halted Bus and Bike Lane Projects in the Bronx and Brooklyn

Projects will deliver faster, more reliable bus service for 130,000 daily riders and improve traffic safety for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced in the Bronx that the New York City Department of Transportation will restart four previously halted street redesign projects to deliver faster, more reliable bus service and improve traffic safety across the Bronx and Brooklyn.

“For too long, New Yorkers have been told to wait as long overdue improvements to our transit system were blocked time and again. That ends now,” said Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Today, we’re moving forward with faster, more reliable buses for the 130,000 New Yorkers who depend on them every single day. Today, we build safer streets for New Yorkers who walk, bike, or drive in their own neighborhoods. And this is just the start — it’s part of a larger commitment to bold, systemic change that gives New Yorkers the transit system and streetscape they deserve.”

“New Yorkers deserve fast, reliable bus service and to feel safe when they’re traveling with their families and loved ones on city streets,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “These projects will improve the quality of life for so many New Yorkers — but until today many were stalled because of politics. This is just the beginning. We are doubling down on delivering on our buses and street safety while building trust in community engagement.”

“This project is a Valentine to the tens of thousands of bus riders who cross Fordham Road every day,” said MTA Chair and CEO Janno Lieber. “New Yorkers are fortunate to have pro-transit leaders like Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul who share our goal of delivering faster, more reliable transit service.”

“We’re heartened that the Mamdani administration is committing to unsticking stalled projects across New York City,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Bus riders in the Bronx deserve the best possible streets to get buses moving faster. We are very excited to see vital new connections and protections for people on foot and on bikes in the Brooklyn network, and to be able to bike from Bay Ridge to the Bronx on fully protected infrastructure thanks to the finished connections at Ashland. The work doesn’t end here, and we’ll keep partnering with City Hall and DOT to build the city that New Yorkers deserve.”

“Today is proof that the Mamdani administration is serious about equity and safety across the city. Reactivating these street safety projects will help thousands of New Yorkers move through our streets with ease and security. We are especially glad to see priority given to improvements like hardened daylighting—clearing and protecting space at intersections with physical barriers—which dramatically improves visibility for pedestrians and drivers, preventing crashes before they occur,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. “More bus lanes, bike lanes, and hardened daylighting are tangible improvements that New Yorkers will benefit from immediately. We are heartened to see the Mamdani administration investing in these quality of life improvements across the city.”

Implementation of the following projects is scheduled to begin this spring:

Fordham Road Bus Lane

Fordham Road is the busiest bus corridor in the Bronx, serving an average of 130,000 daily riders across the Bx12, Bx9, Bx17 and Bx22. NYC DOT will install offset bus lanes along Fordham Road between Sedgwick Ave and Boston Road. In this section of the Bronx, 62% of households do not have access to a private vehicle and 71% of residents rely on public transit, biking, or walking.

The agency will finalize designs in the coming months with community stakeholder engagement and complete the project this year. NYC DOT traffic analysis shows offset bus lanes will provide the greatest speed and reliability benefits. The agency will monitor and evaluate bus speeds after implementation. A recent conversion of curbside bus lanes to offset lanes on Hillside Avenue increase bus speeds by up to 28%.

Ashland Place Bike Lane

NYC DOT will complete the final block of the protected bike lane on Ashland Place in Brooklyn’s Fort Greene neighborhood. The project will convert the southernmost block of Ashland Place, known as ‘Crashland,’ from a two-way street to a one-way street and add a two-way protected bike lane.

Completing this final segment will create a continuous protected bike route from Sunset Park to DUMBO, with connections extending to Greenpoint and Queens.

As part of the redesign, NYC DOT will convert the last block of Hanson Place, from St. Felix Street to Ashland Place, into a “shared street,” significantly expanding pedestrian space and enhancing public space improvements.

Midwood, Flatbush, and East Flatbush Bike Lanes.

Midwood, Flatbush and East Flatbush have high cycling rates but limited bus infrastructure. This spring, NYC DOT will implement a long-delayed plan to build a bike lane network across neighborhoods represented by Brooklyn Community Boards 14 and 17.

The agency will install parking-protected bike lanes to Cortelyou and Dorchester roads in Ditmas Park, from Coney Island Avenue to Flatbush Avenue. Standard bike lanes will be added to 14 additional streets in Flatbush, East Flatbush and Midwood, along with intersection upgrades to improve visibility and safety.

Protected bike lanes have shown to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by 18% for all street users.

Brooklyn And Kingston Ave Bike Lanes

More than 10 schools sit within a block of Brooklyn and Kingston avenues in Central Brooklyn. Over the five-year period between 2021 through 2025, the corridors saw 65 injuries, with pedestrians and cyclists accounting for 60% of serious injuries.

To better protect students traveling to and from school, NYC DOT will install parking-protected bike lanes along both corridors from East New York Avenue to Wingate Park at Winthrop Street. A new protected bike lane loop will also surround Wingate Park.

In addition, conventional bike lanes will be added along Rutland Road and Fenimore Street in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens between Flatbush and Brooklyn avenues.

MAYOR MAMDANI CREATES NEW BUSINESS IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT IN CONEY ISLAND — JUST IN TIME FOR SUMMER 2026

The People’s Playground will be Brooklyn’s 24th and the City’s 78th BID — Strengthening Local Small Businesses, Enhancing Public Space, and Increasing Economic Activity in the Area

NEW YORK – Today, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and the NYC Department of Small Business Services celebrated the formation of the new Coney Island Business Improvement District (BID) following the Mayor’s signing of the Certificate of Incorporation on February 15, 2026.

With a first-year operating budget of up to $1 million, the Coney Island BID will deliver supplemental services to strengthen small businesses around the world-renowned amusement district, improve neighborhood livability, promote growth, and create vibrant public spaces that support year-round economic activity. With the Mayor’s signing of the Certificate of Incorporation, the Coney Island BID is on track to be operational by July 2026, in time for the peak summer season in a neighborhood that welcomes more than five million visitors each year. To date, SBS has invested more than $850,000 in Coney Island to support commercial revitalization, merchant organizing, and neighborhood stewardship.

“The formation of the Coney Island Business Improvement District is about investing in the small businesses and working families who make this neighborhood iconic all year long,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “By strengthening sanitation, public space, and business support along Mermaid and Surf Avenues, we’re building a Coney Island where local commerce thrives, corridors are cleaner and safer, and economic opportunity is rooted in the community.” 

“The creation of the Coney Island Business Improvement District is the culmination of a multi-year process of research, community consultation, pilot programs, and demonstrated local support,” said SBS Commissioner Dynishal Gross. “This self-sustaining entity will build on Coney Island’s global reputation as the People’s Playground while delivering shared prosperity for the small businesses that line Mermaid and Surf Avenues. The Department of Small Business Services is proud of the role its Neighborhood Development Division played in this effort and congratulates the Alliance for Coney Island and all members of the BID steering committee.”

“Coney Island is iconic around the world, but it’s the year-round residents and small business owners who make this neighborhood truly special,” said Council Member Kayla Santosuosso. “This new Business Improvement District means cleaner streets, stronger commercial corridors from Surf to Mermaid, and real, sustained investment in the community that Coney Islanders deserve.”

“It has been one of the greatest honors of my life to work alongside residents, merchants, and students to help beautify Coney Island,” said Pamela Pettyjohn, founder of Coney Island Beautification Project. “We hope the formation of the Coney Island BID will provide the structure, resources, and long-term commitment needed to carry this work forward year after year and help make Coney Island a place small businesses, neighbors, and families can thrive.”

“We’re thrilled to see the Coney Island BID finally come to life,” said Dennis Vourderis, Vice President of Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. “The funding from the BID will ensure Coney Island continues to grow and move forward, and we’re looking forward to clean streets and a safer, more vibrant Coney Island for everyone to enjoy.”

The newly formed Coney Island BID will include storefronts and properties along Mermaid Avenue and Surf Avenue, serving as a year-round partner for the local business community. Services will include:

Sanitation and maintenance

Public space programming and beautification

District marketing and events

Business support and technical assistance

Advocacy on behalf of local merchants and property-owners

Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul Announce $1.5 Billion to Help Address City Fiscal Challenge

Governor commits $1 billion in City Fiscal Year 26 & $510 million in City Fiscal Year 27, including $510 million in recurring funding

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Governor Kathy Hochul announced New York State will allocate an additional $1.5 billion in operating expenses over two years to help address New York City’s fiscal challenges.

This additional funding includes $510 million in recurring funding targeted towards costs that had shifted from the state to New York City under prior administrations, including approximately $300 million for youth programming, a restoration of $150 million in sales tax receipts that would have otherwise been retained by the state and $60 million for public health. The remaining $500 million will be targeted to shared priorities to be determined in subsequent discussions.

“Working New Yorkers did not create this budget crisis and they should not be the ones to pay for it. After years of staggering fiscal mismanagement under the previous administration, our city deserves responsible and collaborative leadership,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “I am heartened by this budgetary progress and Governor Hochul’s partnership at this critical moment. This is what it looks like to begin a new, productive and fair relationship between City Hall and Albany – focused on delivering for working New Yorkers.”

“A strong New York City means a stronger New York State. This investment protects services and puts the city on stable financial footing,” said Governor Kathy Hochul. “New Yorkers expect the state and the city to work together, and I’m proud to partner with the Mayor to deliver for working families.”

Governor Hochul has increased support for New York City every year since taking office. This investment builds on her recent commitment to expand universal child care in New York City.

In recent weeks, the Mayor reduced New York City’s budget gap to $7 billion by deploying in-year reserves, committing to an agency savings plan and incorporating higher-than-expected revenues. Together, the Mayor and Governor are forging a renewed partnership between City Hall and Albany focused on restoring fiscal responsibility and building a balanced budget that delivers for working New Yorkers.

MAYOR MAMDANI’S PREPARED REMARKS AT THE 2026 JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARING

Mayor Mamdani: “For too long, the relationship between City Hall and the State has been defined by pettiness instead of partnership”

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani delivered remarks at the 2026 Joint Legislative Budget Hearing. Below are Mayor Mamdani’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning.

It is a privilege to be back in Albany, alongside so many old friends.

And it is an honor to sit on the other side of the dais today. It is quite strange to sit on this side of the room—and hard to believe that I have a whole ten minutes.

I want to thank Chairs Krueger and Pretlow, Cities Chairs Bottcher, Ryan, and Burke, Local Governments Chairs Martinez and Jones, as well as the members of all the Committees, with a special shoutout for the Real Property Tax Committee, and the three minutes I would wait all year for.

Thank you to all the legislators who have long attended this hearing and advocated the same cause that I am today—the cause of the working person—and who have espoused that vision in their respective One House budgets year after year.

Thank you to Speaker Heastie and Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins.

And thank you to the members of my team here with me—First Deputy Mayor Dean Fuleihan, OMB Director Sherif Soliman, and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Jahmila Edwards.

I have spoken before about the new era we are working to usher in in New York City—one where every person across the five boroughs can afford to live a dignified life.

But that new era cannot stop at the city limits. It must extend the roughly 150 miles between New York City and Albany as well.

For too long, the relationship between City Hall and the State has been defined by pettiness instead of partnership, power struggles instead of problem-solving.

I look forward to something different: a productive relationship with Governor Hochul, and a collaborative relationship with the legislature.

I served alongside many of you for five years. None of you do this work because it is easy. You do it because you care deeply about the communities you represent and because you hold a sincere belief in the power of public service to deliver change. I do too.

Over the first weeks of our administration, we have used the power of City Hall to fulfill that belief.

We have stood up for tenants who have been mistreated and neglected.

We have made our streets safer and invested in public infrastructure.

We have expanded supportive housing, cracked down on deceptive business practices, and won multi-million dollar settlements from bad landlords.

And in partnership with the Governor’s $1.2 billion commitment, we will deliver what more than one million New Yorkers voted for in November: universal childcare.

This will transform educational outcomes for our children, make our economy hum with productivity, and allow a future in our city to be something that New Yorkers dream of, not dread.

Thank you, Governor Hochul, for your partnership and your leadership.

To Chairs Brisport, Hevesi, the “Mom Squad,” and the many members who’ve championed this cause for years: thank you.

The cumulative goal of this work —and all that will follow—will be a city that works for the many, not just the few. One where we restore New Yorkers’ faith in our democracy.

That faith is at an all-time low. After years of having been deceived by the leadership of the past, frankly, I cannot blame them.

Today, New York City is contending with the consequences of budgetary failures of the past. We are confronting a multi-billion-dollar budget deficit.

I’m talking about the ABC—the Adams Budget Crisis.

For four years, former Mayor Adams engaged in gross fiscal mismanagement.

Budget gaps are twice as large as what he said they would be, to the tune of billions of dollars.

Adams ignored projections that indicated major expenses would only rise in the years to come, leaving an enormous hole in our budget.

He budgeted $860 million for cash assistance, when the need was $1.6 billion.

$1.1 billion for rental assistance, when the need was $1.8 billion.

$1.5 billion for shelters, when the need was $2 billion.

And when combined with the systemic imbalance that has long characterized the fiscal relationship between the City and the State, we face an even more alarming budget situation.

For years, New York City has been treated not as an engine of shared prosperity, but as a resource to be drained.

Former Governor Andrew Cuomo perfected this approach. He saw our city as somewhere that generated incredible growth and could thus endure incredible extraction.

He was wrong. Worse, he was not alone. His approach had deep roots in a broader conservative playbook—one that treats cities not as economic powerhouses, but as liabilities to be disciplined and denied.

Costs are shifted downward. Revenue tools are restricted. Services are weakened and then cities are blamed for the decline.

The imbalance former Governor Cuomo fostered is stark. No one gives more and gets less in return than New York City.

New York City contributes 54.5% of state revenue but only receives 40.5% back.

In FY22, we contributed $21 billion more than we received back.

This drain on the City includes sales tax revenue intercepts totaling over $1.6 billion since 2021 and over $300 million annually in cuts to public health programs, foster care and assistance for low-income families.

Time and again, we have been singled out. In 2010, the State eliminated AIM revenue-sharing to New York City, depriving the city of at least $4.8 billion over 16 years.

New York City is the only eligible municipality in our state that receives nothing.

That imbalance has real world consequences: families forced to leave a city they can no longer afford and diminished investments in schools, libraries, parks—our essential services.

We want to solve this crisis by turning to a politics of ambition, not a politics of austerity.

We also want to govern with honesty.

When I first shared the details of our budget crisis, I told New Yorkers that the picture would change as we got an updated economic forecast and factored in Wall Street bonuses.

I’m glad to report that by assuming an aggressive posture on savings without compromising city services, incorporating updated revenue and bonus estimates, and using in-year reserves, we have lowered that $12 billion gap to $7 billion.

And while we will share more detail when we release our preliminary budget on February 17th , we will be transparent throughout this process.

We’ve made some meaningful progress towards shrinking the gap.

However, New York City is still placed on a ledge. The most responsible way off is with dedicated, recurring revenue that can provide the services New Yorkers deserve.

First, the imbalance in our relationship with the State is draining the city’s resources. We are calling to end the drain.

This is not just a crucial first step, it is a key part of the problem. Without solving this inequity, we will only postpone this crisis.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW SHIRLEY CHISHOLM RECREATION CENTER IN FLATBUSH

First ever rec center in Central Brooklyn and now borough’s largest rec center will serve over 41,000 New Yorkers

For first week, New Yorkers can spend a full free day in the center to explore the indoor pool, dedicated youth spaces, teaching kitchen, media lab, dance studio, and more

Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center tour footage HERE

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the opening of the brand-new Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in East Flatbush. He was joined by NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, State Senator Kevin Parker, Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, and Councilmember Farah Louis. The new center is the first new Parks recreation center in over a decade, the first ever in Central Brooklyn, and the largest recreation center in the whole borough. Located in the heart of Little Haiti, the center is expected to serve residents of East Flatbush and Midwood, with over 41,000 New Yorkers living within a 15-minute walk or transit ride of the new center.

The approximately 74,000-square-foot recreation center provides space for swimming, team sports, exercise, educational programming, and even A/V production in a media lab. Like all Parks recreation centers, discounts are available for New Yorkers of all ages, and membership is entirely free for people 24 years and younger.

The center will fully open to the public on Tuesday, February 10. For the first week, all New Yorkers will have the opportunity to use the brand-new center for one free day of their choosing, prior to becoming members. Parks is also hosting guided tours, registration events, and demonstrations to help New Yorkers experience what the new facility has to offer.

“The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center will soon be alive with possibility — kids learning to swim, cook, and grow their own food; friends coming together on the court; neighbors of every generation creating and connecting, from the gym to the podcast studio. This will be a space where the city meets itself, built to serve the people who call it home,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Shirley Chisholm believed that politics should be accountable to everyday people. In that spirit, this center will stand as a living tribute to her legacy — proving that when we invest in truly affordable, accessible public spaces, we can build a city that works for all of us.”

“Central Brooklyn, cancel your gym subscription and join us at Shirley Chisholm, where we have state-of-the-art amenities at a fraction of the cost. This new center means that over 41,000 New Yorkers now have an affordable space to exercise, learn, and connect with their neighbors, a fitting tribute to Chisholm’s commitment to community investment,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Tricia Shimamura. “This recreation center represents the very best of city government. Shared spaces like this make our city more affordable, more livable, and more safe. I am so grateful to our partner agencies for their collaboration, and to City Councilmember Farah Louis and State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn for their tireless advocacy and support, making this center—the first in all of Central Brooklyn—possible. Working together and with the community, we’ve created a space where all Brooklynites are welcome.”

“Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you to Parks. Thank you to the elected officials who are here. Thank you to the Councilmember who finished this [project],” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. “There were no youth centers in East Flatbush, in this part … It was a shame that, as was mentioned, there are some communities that have a plethora of these [recreation centers], and there are some communities that have none … This is a celebration with a lot more work to do. Thank you so much, everyone.”

“After years of advocacy, securing funding, and two years of construction, it is deeply meaningful to see the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center finally open its doors to the community. This project reflects sustained partnership across government and a shared commitment to ensuring this space truly serves local families, youth, and seniors. From early planning through completion, this effort was guided by community input and the belief that public investment must deliver real, lasting benefits. Named in honor of Shirley Chisholm, this center stands as a living investment in wellness, opportunity, and community connection for generations to come,” said Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn.

“This moment is the result of years of advocacy, persistence, and a community that refused to give up on a vision for itself,” said Council Member Farah N. Louis. “The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center stands as a testament to what happens when residents, advocates, and public servants work together with purpose. I am proud to have secured this $141 million investment to honor Shirley Chisholm’s legacy, and to represent a promise to every child and family in East Flatbush that they matter and that their future is worth fighting for.”

“The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center is a historic investment in Central Brooklyn and a statement about what our communities deserve. By expanding access to health, education, and creative opportunity for tens of thousands of families, it honors Chisholm’s legacy of equity and public service. I commend Mayor Zohran Mamdani for his leadership and partnership in delivering a project that puts community access and opportunity first,” said State Senator Kevin Parker.

“As we celebrate 100 years of Black History, it is fitting that we are opening the first ever facility of its kind in Central Brooklyn, the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center, named after a Black Caribbean historian with Bajan roots who represented us on the Federal and State level; this space is a valuable resource for our community. This is a moment of great pride where we as leaders need to continue her legacy to embody her motto — Unbought & Unbossed,” said Assemblymember Monique Chandler-Waterman. “This facility has been a longstanding need to provide our youth with a safe space. I’m especially honored to have been involved in the initial planning stages before my election, along with families impacted by gun violence, the youth, and my neighbors. Since taking office, we created the Assembly District 58 Public Safety Taskforce that continues to advocate for more resources to invest in public health. I want to thank Public Advocate Jumaane Williams for laying this foundation, the Mayor, NYC Parks, and my colleagues for bringing this to the finish line; and for their commitment to investing in our youth and communities — allowing us to have the resources needed to live healthy and productive lives. This is a perfect example of ‘It is not an I thing, It’s a WE thing.’”

“I stand amazed at how our recreation centers are bringing back a true sense of community. With state-of-the-art spaces like this, we’re staying active, staying connected, and having fun,” said Council Member Ty Hankerson. “Every community deserves a place like this.”

“The Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center is a huge milestone in construction reform for the City and proves that design-build works,” said NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Acting Commissioner Eduardo del Valle. “Using design-build contracting, DDC was able to complete the Center three years faster than would have been possible with traditional lowest bidder contracting. And 36 percent of the budget went to M/WBEs, exceeding our goal of 30 percent on design-build projects. We are proving that construction reform is possible and that design-build is fast and effective. Right now, we’re working, via design-build, on three new recreation centers in Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens that will all see similar time savings.”

Now Brooklyn’s largest recreation center, the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center includes brand-new fitness resources for New Yorkers of all ages and backgrounds, including:

Competition-sized 6 lane pool, including a ramp, chairlift, and stairs so all visitors can comfortably enter the water regardless of ability

Three lane walking track

Competition-sized gym perfect for basketball, pickleball, and volleyball

Exercise rooms for cardio workouts, weightlifting, and spin classes

The center also features spaces for events, classes, and relaxation, including:

Teaching kitchen

Afterschool space with its own outdoor play area

Dedicated teens-only space with supervision

Dr. Roy A. Hastick Sr. Media Lab with a mixing room for A/V production

Multipurpose rooms for events and classes

The new center is named for Shirley Chisholm, the Brooklyn-born politician who became the first African American woman to serve in Congress, representing Brooklyn in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION INVITES NEW YORKERS TO JOIN FIRST-EVER RENTAL RIPOFF HEARINGS IN ALL FIVE BOROUGHS

Hearings will give tenants a platform to share experiences with unsafe building conditions, hidden fees and other abuses

City will have 90 days after hearings conclude to deliver a plan to protect tenants and hold bad landlords accountable

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the dates and locations for New York City’s first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, a series of five public hearings — one in each borough — where New Yorkers will be invited to share their experiences renting in the City.

Established by Executive Order 08, the Rental Ripoff Hearings will create a direct line between tenants and City leadership. New Yorkers will speak about challenges ranging from mold, broken appliances and unsafe construction conditions to hidden fees and surprise charges. Tenants will also have the opportunity to meet one-on-one with senior officials from the Mamdani administration, including commissioners from the city’s housing and consumer protection agencies, to help shape future policy.

“You can’t fight for tenants without listening to them first. That’s why we’re launching Rental Ripoff Hearings in all five boroughs—bringing together renters to speak directly about what they’re facing, from hidden fees to broken tiles and unresponsive landlords,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “What tenants share at these hearings won’t lead to empty promises. Their testimony will guide our work and help shape the policies we advance to build a city New Yorkers can afford to call their home.”

“At New York City’s first-ever Rental Ripoff Hearings, tenants will be able to speak directly with city officials so their experiences can shape real policy reforms. We’re looking forward to hearing from New Yorkers in every borough about the challenges they face, from hidden fees to code enforcement failures,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“Tenants are the backbone of New York City, but too many are struggling every day with surprise charges and unsafe living conditions. These hearings are a historic opportunity for policymakers to hear directly from tenants: whether you’re fighting to get repairs or being hit with unexplained fees, your story can improve lives for millions of New Yorkers,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

“New Yorkers deserve a rental system that keeps everyone safe and housed. We want to hear directly from tenants as it’s the most effective way to craft responsive policies, and ensure that the right enforcement strategies are included in our housing plan. We take this process seriously and these hearings will be used to drive real change,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy.

“Broker fees, hidden charges, and other predatory practices are ripping off working New Yorkers and jacking up the cost of where they live. The Rental Ripoff Hearings are an important step toward holding landlords and brokers accountable,” said Department of Consumer and Worker Protection Commissioner Sam Levine. “At DCWP, we are committed to using every tool at our disposal to combat these unfair practices and make living in New York City more transparent and affordable. I look forward to hearing directly from residents and working with Mayor Mamdani to deliver a more affordable city for all New Yorkers.”

“From enforcing rigorous safety protocols during active construction to upholding the city’s strict inspection standards, the Department of Buildings is unwavering in its commitment to protecting tenants and holding property owners accountable for providing safe and legal housing,” said Buildings Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “Mayor Mamdani is rightfully putting the spotlight on tenant safety and quality of life issues in our city. We welcome the opportunity to participate in these important discussions and look forward to hearing directly from New Yorkers about their experiences as tenants, which will help inform improvements to our operations and ensure we continue to best serve the public’s interests.”

The hearings will be held on:

Thursday, Feb. 26 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Downtown Brooklyn

Thursday, March 5 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Long Island City, Queens

Wednesday, March 11 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., Fordham, The Bronx

Saturday, March 28 from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m., East Harlem, Manhattan

Tuesday, April 7 from 5:30-8:30 p.m., North Shore, Staten Island

New Yorkers can register to attend in person at nyc.gov/RentalRipoff. At each hearing, participants will be able to record testimony or sign up for one-on-one conversations with city officials.

New Yorkers who cannot attend an in-person hearing can submit testimony via email to RentalRipoff@cityhall.nyc.gov.

Within 90 days of the final hearing, the Mamdani administration will publish a report proposing policy interventions to take on these ripoff tactics, informed by common grievances voiced by New Yorkers. In addition, input gathered at the Rental Ripoff Hearings will help inform the Mamdani administration’s forthcoming housing plan.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES STRICTER ENFORCEMENT FOR CITY’S 250 MOST DISTRESSED APARTMENT BUILDINGS

Through the Alternative Enforcement Program, the city will increase monitoring and make repairs when landlords fail to act

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy released an updated list of the 250 buildings with the most severe housing code violations citywide, placing them under heightened oversight through the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP).

AEP, now in its 19th year, allows the city to closely monitor repeat offenders, conduct more frequent inspections, issue Orders to Correct and step in directly to make repairs when owners fail to do so, billing landlords for the cost. The 250 buildings selected this year account for nearly 55,000 open violations and owe the city nearly $4.5 million for emergency repairs already performed.

The updated AEP list builds on the Mamdani administration’s commitment to ensuring every New Yorker has a safe, stable, and well-maintained home. Last month, HPD announced a $2.1 million settlement with A&E Real Estate Holdings covering 14 buildings – the largest ever won by HPD’s Anti-Harassment Unit – requiring extensive repairs, compliance with Orders to Correct and injunctions barring tenant harassment.

During the ongoing cold emergency, HPD has also treated this winter conditions as an all-hands-on-deck effort, maximizing staffing to respond to approximately 37,000 complaints in January and closing 98% of them as of Feb. 4.

“In our first month in office, we’ve been clear: New York will no longer look the other way while bad landlords put tenants at risk. The Alternative Enforcement Program gives us the power to closely monitor repeat offenders and step in to fix conditions when landlords refuse to do their jobs,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “We’ll use every tool we have to protect New Yorkers’ homes and make safe, dignified housing non-negotiable.”

“With this update to the Alternative Enforcement Program, we will be able to take decisive action to ensure that repairs are made in the buildings where they are most needed. I’m grateful to the HPD team for their ongoing work to protect tenants and ensure homes are safe and livable,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning.

“Every New Yorker deserves a safe and well-maintained place to rest, raise their family, and sleep at night. The updated AEP round is an important milestone as the city stands shoulder to shoulder with tenants to deliver high quality, affordable homes,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

“This administration will not back away from protecting tenants or enforcing the Housing Maintenance Code. Today, we are naming the 250 buildings entering HPD’s Alternative Enforcement Program. When landlords refuse to do their job, the city will intervene, advances critical repairs, and recover costs from owners,” said Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner Dina Levy. “We want to make it abundantly clear: landlords who repeatedly fail their tenants will be held accountable.”

The 250 buildings selected for this year’s AEP list include 7,038 homes and account for 54,909 open housing code violations, reflecting widespread and persistent disrepair. The building with the most open “B” and “C” violations issued over the past five years – more than 1,000 of the most serious violations – is 34-15 Parsons Blvd., registered to an LLC within the A&E Real Estate Holdings portfolio.

Building owners on this year’s AEP round owe the city nearly $4.5 million for failing to correct critical violations, triggering emergency interventions by HPD. Additionally, HPD’s Housing Litigation Division is a party to action against the owners of 138 buildings in housing court to force compliance.

About the Alternative Enforcement Program (AEP)

The AEP program targets buildings with serious, unresolved violations that indicate landlords are failing to maintain basic living conditions. Each year, HPD designates a new round of buildings for AEP based on excessive housing code violations which directly impact tenants’ well-being, and landlords are required to repay the city for any emergency repairs HPD completes. Building owners can be discharged from AEP within months if they quickly resolve violations and settle outstanding emergency repair charges or enter a payment agreement with the City. If an owner fails to comply, HPD may escalate enforcement by taking legal action in Housing Court. HPD monitors buildings discharged from AEP for at least one year to ensure conditions remain stable, and re-selection for future AEP rounds can trigger immediate enforcement measures.

AT ANNUAL INTERFAITH BREAKFAST, MAYOR MAMDANI REAFFIRMS CITY’S SANCTUARY STATUS, LAUNCHES EXPANSIVE “KNOW YOUR RIGHTS” PUSH TO PROTECT IMMIGRANT NEW YORKERS FROM FEDERAL OVERREACH

“As ICE fosters a culture of suspicion and fear, let this city of strangers

set an example for how to make the sorrows of others our own.

Let us offer a new path — one of defiance through compassion.”

New Executive Order Upholds Sanctuary Protections, Safeguards

Rights and Privacy of All New Yorkers, and Limits City

Cooperation with Immigration Authorities

“Know Your Rights” Push Will Distribute Over 30,000 Multilingual

Flyers and Booklets to Faith Institutions Across the City

NEW YORK – Today, at the first annual Interfaith Breakfast of his administration, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced sweeping new actions to uphold New York City’s sanctuary city laws and protect immigrant New Yorkers. The breakfast brought together nearly 400 faith and community leaders from across the five boroughs.

During the event, Mayor Mamdani signed a comprehensive executive order to reaffirm the city’s commitment to being a sanctuary for all New Yorkers. The order protects the privacy and data of immigrants and all residents; bolsters restrictions on federal immigration enforcement on city property; initiates an audit to make sure city agencies are complying with sanctuary laws; and establishes a committee to coordinate crisis response across city government in the event of escalating federal immigration actions or other major events.

Mayor Mamdani also launched a citywide “Know Your Rights” push, distributing nearly 32,000 flyers and booklets in 10 languages for faith leaders to share with their congregations. The materials provide clear, accessible information about New Yorkers’ rights during interactions with federal immigration authorities, including the right to remain silent, the right to speak to an attorney, and the right to a translator.

View Mayor Mamdani’s full address HERE.

“Across this country, day after day, we bear witness to cruelty that staggers the conscience. Masked agents, paid by our own tax dollars, violate the Constitution and visit terror upon our neighbors,” said Mayor Mamdani. “That is why this morning, I am signing an executive order that will strengthen our city’s protection of our fellow New Yorkers from abusive immigration enforcement. This order is a sweeping reaffirmation of our commitment to our immigrant neighbors. We have also prepared 30,000 guides to New Yorkers’ rights in ten languages spoken by some of the most heavily targeted populations in our city, teaching our neighbors what to do if ICE comes for them. These guides are here today, ready for you to take. If you run out, we will print more. I urge you to share these with your congregants — even those who are citizens, even those whom you think ICE may not target. These materials apply to us all: those who have been here for five generations, those who arrived last year. They apply to us all because the obligation is upon us all. To love thy neighbor, to look out for the stranger.”

Executive Order 13

Executive Order 13 takes critical steps to keep not only immigrant New Yorkers but all New Yorkers safe from aggressive, unlawful, and xenophobic federal actions as well as deepen trust between New Yorkers and their city government.

Executive Order 13 reaffirms that information collected by city agencies for city purposes must remain protected and cannot be shared with federal immigration authorities, except as required by law. Under the order, each agency has 14 days to appoint a privacy officer, conduct training, and certify compliance with sanctuary protections limiting information sharing.

Executive Order 13 also makes clear that city property — including parking garages, parking lots, schools, shelters, hospitals, and other public spaces — is for city purposes only. Federal authorities may not enter city property without a judicial warrant. The order also directs core agencies to develop and distribute training for city employees on how to interact with federal immigration authorities.

Moreover, Executive Order 13 requires agencies — including the NYPD, New York City Department of Correction (DOC), New York City Department of Probation (DOP), Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), and Department of Social Services (DSS) — to conduct comprehensive audits of all internal policies governing interactions with federal immigration authorities, update protocols and guidance as needed, and provide public transparency into any new policies that are created as a result.

Finally, Executive Order 13 establishes an Interagency Response Committee to coordinate crisis policy across city agencies and ensure a whole-of-government response.

“Know Your Rights” Push

As part of the new “Know Your Rights” push, the city is distributing nearly 32,000 flyers and booklets to faith institutions across New York City. The materials are available in English, Spanish, Mandarin, French, Bangla, Russian, Arabic, Kreyole, Urdu, and Yiddish – languages spoken by those most targeted by federal immigration crackdowns.

The materials outline key rights and options during encounters with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including the right to remain silent, the right to ask for a judicial warrant, the right to speak with an attorney and the right to request an interpreter. They also explain New York City’s sanctuary laws and provide information about the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MOIA) Legal Support Hotline.

The hotline, available Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at 1-800-354-0365, offers free information and referrals to immigration legal assistance. During his remarks, Mayor Mamdani called on faith leaders to help ensure this information reaches every corner of the city by distributing the flyers to their congregations.

Below are Mayor Mamdani’s remarks as prepared for delivery:

Good morning. What a privilege it is to be here with you all. I join everyone present in sending our best wishes to Rabbi Schneier, and our hopes for a quick recovery.

And I know that many of us are shocked by the news that we’ve just heard from Pakistan, where dozens of people were killed in a horrific attack on a Shia Mosque. Innaa lillaahi wa innaa ilaihi raajioon.

I look around this room, and I see the faces of friends I have marched with through searing heat and bracing cold. People I have mourned alongside, celebrated alongside, organized alongside. And I see so many others I have only just met, but whom I am eager to work alongside to improve New York.

And I see those whom the people of this city turn to for guidance and grace. This city may have only one Mayor, but it has countless leaders. When our neighbors seek to make sense of a world where sense is not there to be found, they often turn first not to those they elected, but to you.

Thank you for welcoming me today — and for all that you do, in ways seen and unseen, for those you serve.

I was raised in New York City as a Muslim kid with a Hindu mother. I celebrated Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha with my family, lit diyas in Riverside Park for Diwali, and like any New Yorker, encountered faiths different from my own. I still remember coming home from a friend’s Bar Mitzvah one night and demanding an explanation from my father. “Baba,” I asked, “Why don’t Muslim kids have Bar Mitzvahs too?”

And over the past fifteen months, as I ran to become Mayor of our incredible city, that encounter only deepened as I came face-to-face with the living tapestry of faith that is New York.

Faith, we’re told, is the belief in things unseen. And while it certainly took faith to imagine a thing truly unseen—a path to victory—it was nothing compared to the faith I saw New Yorkers summon just to make it through the day. Faith that the bus would arrive. Faith that somehow, some way, the rent would get paid. Faith that a leader would place the concerns of the many before the interests of the few.

I saw that faith everywhere. On subways and street corners, at forums and front doors. And increasingly, as the winter snow melted into the renewal of spring and then the heat of summer, I found it where many New Yorkers return, week after week, in search of meaning.

You welcomed a stranger into your sanctuaries. And whether we were together at Shul, at church services on Saturday or Sunday morning, at a Gurdwara or a mosque or a mandir or a temple, New Yorkers told me of the worries they hold close, the dreams they refuse to let go.

What a gift they gave me. Not just understanding New York better — but understanding how close we truly are.

Because for all our different faiths, we share a common belief: that our city can be restored, and it must. That the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world has enough for everyone to live a life of dignity. That we need not worship the same God to share the same values, or to fight for the same future.

If anything unifies every religion across our city, it is an understanding of faith not solely as a tool for reflection, but as a call to action.

Standing before you today, I think of Deuteronomy 10:17-18, which describes the lord as one who: “shows no partiality and accepts no bribes. He defends the cause of the orphan and the widow, and loves the stranger residing among you, giving them food and clothing.”

Over the past fifteen months, New Yorkers of all faiths built a movement inspired by that cause of the orphan, the widow, and the stranger.

Seniors spent hours making phone calls to strangers because they believed every kid deserves child care. If that is not defending the cause of the orphan, what is?

Neighbors climbed six-floor walkups to knock doors because they believed a single mother in a rent-stabilized apartment should be able to sleep easily on the last night of the month, knowing that her rent would not climb the next day. If that is not defending the cause of the widow, what is?

And today, my friends, I want to reflect on the third charge: loving the stranger.

Across this country, day after day, we bear witness to cruelty that staggers the conscience. Masked agents, paid by our own tax dollars, violate the Constitution and visit terror upon our neighbors. They arrive as if atop a pale horse, and they leave a path of wreckage in their wake. People ripped from their cars. Guns drawn against the unarmed. Families torn apart. Lives shattered—quietly, swiftly, brutally.

If these are not attacks upon the stranger among us, what is?

This cruelty is no faraway concept. ICE operates here in New York. In our courthouses. Our workplaces. They skulk at 26 Federal Plaza—the same building where I waited in fear as my father had his citizenship interview.

If these are not attacks upon the stranger among us, what is?

ICE is more than a rogue agency — it is a manifestation of the abuse of power. And it is also new. It was founded only in 2002. Four Mayors ago, it did not exist. Its wrongs need not be treated as inevitable or inherited. In fact, there is no reforming something so rotten and base.

I think of a story that Reverend Galbreath — the senior pastor at Clarendon Road Church — shared recently. Two Haitian immigrants in his congregation, a father and son, had traveled to 26 Federal Plaza for fingerprinting. The man’s wife, the boy’s mother, had gone the week before without incident. They thought little of the trip. It was routine. In New York, surely one would be safe at an appointment like this.

MAYOR MAMDANI, NYCHA ANNOUNCE $38.4 MILLION INVESTMENT TO BRING CLEAN, RELIABLE HEAT PUMPS TO BEACH 41st STREET HOUSES

Investment will deliver clean heating and cooling to 712 homes as part of “Clean Heat for All” initiative Program will reach more than 10,000 New York City apartments by 2030

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced a $38.4 million investment to install deliver clean, reliable heat pumps at NYCHA’s Beach 41st Street Houses in Edgemere, Queens, delivering modern heating and cooling to 712 homes as part of the city’s Clean Heat for All initiative.

The announcement was made alongside Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg, NYCHA CEO Lisa Bova-Hiatt, and Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. Beach 41st Street Houses will be among the first NYCHA developments to receive the custom-designed heat pumps, which will replace an aging gas boiler system that has exceeded its useful life.

Once installed, the heat pumps will provide more consistent and reliable heating, efficient cooling in bedrooms and living rooms, individual temperature controls for residents, and improve hot water reliability. The project advances the city’s goal of expanding Clean Heat for All to more than 10,000 NYCHA apartments by 2030.

“Today’s $38.4 million investment in heat pumps at the Beach 41st NYCHA Houses is about dignity, safety, and climate justice. It means hundreds of working-class New Yorkers in the Rockaways can heat their homes reliably while we cut emissions at the same time,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “This is what it looks like when we understand that the fight for a livable planet and livable housing are in fact one and the same.”

“This investment shows how smart policy can address our housing crisis and climate crisis at the same time. These heat pumps will be cheaper and more efficient, cut emissions, and improve residents’ lives at Beach 41st Street Houses,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “The Clean Heat for All program is proof using the city’s investment and purchasing power creatively can drive progress across the city, and that is the creativity that we will bring to bear to address the housing crisis for all New Yorkers.”

“We are so pleased to be bringing the Clean Heat for All heat pumps to the residents of Beach 41st Street Houses,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “These cutting-edge heat pumps will not only provide clean, reliable heat during the winter, but cooling during the summer months as well. We’d like to thank Mayor Mamdani for his support of this program and for his dedication to improving the quality of life for the residents of Beach 41st Houses. We look forward to a continued partnership with his administration as we work to scale up Clean Heat for All and install 30,000 window heat pumps over the next several years.”

“Communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis, especially those in Far Rockaway, have historically been the last to receive critical investments and resources to prepare for a just and equitable climate transition,” said Chief Climate Officer Louise Yeung. “Tenants deserve the peace of mind of reliable heating during frigid cold snaps, and safe cooling during extreme heat. By deploying innovative heat pumps to NYCHA Beach 41st Street Houses, our City is taking critical steps to ensure that New Yorkers feel warm, safe, and comfortable in their homes.”

“There are few rights more fundamental than the right to safe and stable housing. But the first thing many New Yorkers living in NYCHA housing see when they wake up is their own breath, simply because their home lacks effective heating,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “This $38 million investment will deliver both heat and justice to those who deserve but have long denied it. I look forward to working with Mayor Mamdani in delivering for NYCHA families in the years ahead.”

“This $38.4 million investment in clean, reliable heat for NYCHA residents at Beach 41st Street is about more than infrastructure — it’s about dignity, health, and justice. For far too long, families in Far Rockaway have endured unreliable heating and unsafe conditions. This project shows that we can fight climate change and improve the quality of life at the same time. I commend Mayor Mamdani for this commitment, and I will continue fighting to make sure public housing residents receive the safe, modern, and sustainable homes they deserve,” said State Senator James Sanders, Jr.

“I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani for today’s significant announcement. I grew up in Edgemere, the community we’re standing in today. For generations, Beach 41 Houses and NYCHA at large have been forgotten—a fight that tenant association president Eugenia Gibson has tirelessly led right here at these buildings. Hurricane Sandy highlighted this neglect when families endured weeks without power or heat. This $38.4 million investment is more than funding—it’s a promise that the Rockaways matter to City Hall,” said Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson. “Our families deserve homes with clean air and reliable heat, not as privileges, but as the fundamental human rights they are.”

“Reliable heat isn’t a luxury: it is a basic necessity that every family deserves,” said New York City Council Member Selvena N. Brooks-Powers. “The Mayor’s $38.4 million investment in heat pumps at the Beach 41st Street NYCHA campus will directly improve daily life for 712 households in Far Rockaway. For too long, Far Rockaway NYCHA residents have had to deal with unreliable heating and aging infrastructure that disrupt daily life and threatens health and stability. This investment will improve quality of life, lower energy costs, and bring reliable heating and cooling to hundreds of households. I thank Mayor Mamdani and our city partners for prioritizing NYCHA residents and making meaningful investments that strengthen our communities and help move us toward a cleaner, more resilient future.”

The heat pumps being installed at Beach 41st Street Houses are the product of the Clean Heat for All Challenge, launched by NYCHA, the New York Power Authority (NYPA), and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) in 2021. Following competitive submissions by a variety of heating and cooling device manufacturers, Midea and Gradient won contracts to develop 30,000 pumps for NYCHA homes. To date, 150 have been installed at Woodside Houses in Queens and NYCHA has purchased 5,000 more. Through the Clean Heat for All initiative, NYCHA is using its bulk purchasing power to procure custom heating and cooling devices, filling a gap from existing heat pumps on the market, and improving the reliability and efficiency of hot water service.

Clean Heat for All completed its initial demonstration in June 2024, with the heat pump units showing promising results: pilot apartments with heat pumps maintained more consistent and comfortable temperatures during the winter, compared to control apartments with a standard steam system. The units have been able to maintain their set point temperatures amidst the coldest outdoor temperatures of the heating season while lowering the energy used to provide heat. Resident response to the new heat pumps has been overwhelmingly positive, with 89 percent of residents who received heat pumps reporting satisfaction with the new units. Early results, averaged across two heat pump manufacturers, show an 86 percent decrease in energy required for space heating. Results also indicated a 50 percent decrease in heating energy costs, substantial savings despite the higher cost of electricity relative to gas.

NYCHA, NYPA, and NYSERDA launched the Clean Heat for All Challenge in 2021 engaging HVAC and appliance manufacturers to develop a heat pump model capable of being easily installed through an existing window, requiring little or no electric upgrades, and able to serve the needs of existing multifamily buildings while hastening the transition to fossil-free heating sources. Following the selection of Midea and Gradient’s winning model, NYCHA installed heat pumps in a full building at Woodside Houses in 2025 and will be expanding the program to the remaining buildings in the development starting in the summer of 2026. 1,600 apartments at Bay View Houses closed financing in December 2025 as the first Permanent Affordability Commitment Together (PACT) development to incorporate the Clean Heat for All heat pumps closed in December and will electrify heat for 1,600 apartments at Bay View starting in the spring. NYCHA is currently conducting studies to assess suitability of other developments for future installations.

MAYOR MAMDANI VISITS CITY WARMING CENTER, THANKS CITY WORKERS AND PARTNERS AS TEMPERATURES REMAIN DANGEROUSLY LOW

Mamdani Administration continues whole-of-government response to winter emergency with expanded warming center capacity, additional shelter space and bolstered street outreach

NEW YORK – On Sunday, as dangerously low temperatures persisted, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani visited a Manhattan warming center, where he met with homeless New Yorkers and thanked city workers, non-profit partners and volunteers working around the clock to bring people indoors.

The visit followed a stop Saturday on Staten Island, where Mayor Mamdani visited firefighters and emergency medical service workers on Staten Island to thank them for their efforts during the severe cold snap. Both visits come as the Mamdani administration continues a whole-of-government response to the winter weather emergency and announced new measures to increase safe haven and warming site capacity.

“Temperatures remain dangerously low, and we are mobilizing every part of government to keep people safe,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “As we head into the week, I am urging New Yorkers to stay indoors, take extra precautions, and be safe. If you see anyone outside who needs help, please call 311. Our outreach workers will connect them to warming centers, safe haven sites and shelters.”

Ahead of the coldest weekend of the winter, Mayor Mamdani announced roughly 60 new hotel shelter units, along with additional warming center and vehicle capacity, bringing the total number of warming facilities citywide over the weekend to nearly 65. The city also deployed additional mobile warming units equipped with clinicians and other vital resources and announced new partnerships to strengthen direct street outreach.

On Saturday, the city took further steps to support vulnerable New Yorkers, announcing additional safe haven beds and the launch of at least 150 more direct street outreach workers – supplementing the over 400 Department of Homeless Service outreach workers who have already been out in the field around the clock since the Code Blue emergency began.

Mayor Mamdani has also taken innovative steps to increase public awareness for the resources available to those in need and made direct appeals to homeless New Yorkers to come indoors through a citywide LinkNYC campaign, as well as by launching a tool on the kiosks to locate the nearest warming center.

As the City responds to this weather emergency, Mayor Mamdani’s administration is using every available tool to keep New Yorkers safe. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for emergency updates. More information here.

As Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly said: If you are still outdoors, please come inside. We want to help. We want to keep you safe.

MAYOR MAMDANI JOINS DCWP AND NYC HEALTH + HOSPITALS TO PROMOTE FREE TAX PREPARATION SERVICES FOR NEW YORKERS

In-person and virtual tax preparation services are available in various languages across the city and at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth sites

Efforts this year will be paired with an expanded crackdown on deceptive practices in the tax preparer industry, ensuring New Yorkers across the city are protected

New York, NY – Today, Mayor Mamdani joined the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP), NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to kick off the 2026 tax season by announcing free, in-person and virtual tax preparation services for New Yorkers as part of DCWP’s NYC Free Tax Prep initiative. Last year 110,000 returns were completed through NYC Free Tax Prep, saving New Yorkers an average of $346 in tax preparation fees per return and approximately $38.2 million citywide. This year, the administration is focused on pairing the free tax preparation program with compliance in the paid tax preparer industry to protect all New Yorkers from unfair fees, sketchy loan products, and other deceptive corporate activity. This will include a citywide sweep of paid tax preparer locations to ensure they are following the law, as well as compliance notices warning paid tax preparers of the City’s ban on illegal overcharging and hidden fees.

“New Yorkers shouldn’t have to jump through hoops or pay outrageous fees just to file their taxes,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Through NYC Free Tax Prep, our administration is working across agencies to deliver exactly that—helping New Yorkers file for free, receive the tax refunds they’re owed, and avoid hidden fees and tax scams.” 

The NYC Free Tax Prep program is available to anyone who lives or works in New York City and who earns $97,000 or less annually and files as a family, or those who earn $68,000 or less annually and file as an individual or couple without a dependent – making half of all New Yorkers eligible for the program. Services are available now at over 140 Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) sites around the city. Volunteer providers are equipped to connect filers with assistance for their questions about managing student loan debt. New Yorkers can call 311 or visit nyc.gov/TaxPrep and use DCWP’s interactive map to search for the most convenient free tax site near them, including at NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth sites.

“To New Yorkers: protect your budget and skip pricey paid tax preparation if you can. Our knowledgeable preparers will ensure you get your full refund and all credits you may be eligible for, like the recently enhanced Empire State Child Tax Credit,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “This tax season, DCWP is ramping up efforts to protect New Yorkers from sketchy tax scams. And, as student loan borrowers face unprecedented confusion due to harmful policies at the federal level, NYC Free Tax Prep has never been more important.”

“Financial stability is a fundamental contributor to overall health and well-being,” said NYC Health + Hospitals Vice President and Chief Population Health Officer Nichola Davis, MD, MS. “Since 2018, we have scaled our partnership with NYC Tax Prep from a single pilot site to 15 locations in 2026. By helping our patients secure free filing and tax credits, we are reducing some of the financial stress that often stands in the way of good health.”

“New Yorkers should not have to choose between spending money on tax preparation services or rent, food, or childcare,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein. “As Chair of the Consumer and Worker Protection Committee, I applaud the Mayor and the DCWP’s initiatives to help thousands of low income New Yorkers.”

“New Yorkers can once again access free, in‑person tax preparation at select MetroPlusHealth community offices, along with virtual support from trained volunteers,” said Dr. Talya Schwartz, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. “For many working families, no‑cost tax assistance can have a meaningful impact. MetroPlusHealth remains deeply committed to helping provide essential services — from helping individuals enroll in quality health insurance to offering free tax preparation. Whether someone requires comprehensive guidance or just a bit of support, our team stands ready to help them successfully file their taxes.”

“Gotham Health is proud to participate in the NYC Free Tax Prep initiative and to offer this vital service directly in our health centers across New York City. We believe access to high-quality care must also include access to the financial resources that support healthier lives,” said Michelle Lewis, CEO of NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health. “We encourage eligible New Yorkers to schedule an appointment and take advantage of free support to file accurately and claim the credits and refunds they have earned.”

NYC Free Tax Prep services include:

In-Person Tax Preparation: At in-person tax prep sites, knowledgeable Internal Revenue Service (IRS) certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) or Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) volunteer preparers help filers complete an accurate tax return. More than 140 sites across all 5 boroughs will be open throughout the season.

Drop-Off Service: With drop-off service, filers can drop off their tax documents and pick up the completed return later.
Virtual Tax Preparation: Virtual Tax Preparation is an online service where an IRS-certified VITA or TCE volunteer preparer will video conference with filers to help prepare their tax return using a secure digital system. Filers can submit photos or scans of tax documents to the preparer, confirm their identity, and complete their return by video call with a preparer. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; and the ability to download secure video conference software.

Assisted Self-Preparation: Assisted Self-Preparation allows filers to complete their tax return online on their own, and an IRS-certified VITA/TCE volunteer preparer will be available by phone or email to answer questions. Filers will need access to a computer, tablet, or smartphone; a stable internet connection; an email address; and their 2024 adjusted gross income or self-select PIN.

The IRS began accepting tax returns on January 26 and will accept returns through April 15, 2026, though many NYC Free Tax Prep sites remain open year-round to assist late filers, help with prior-year returns, and support small business owners and self-employed filers with quarterly and annual tax filing requirements. This year taxpayers face fewer no-cost filing options following the elimination of the IRS Direct File program, making access to trusted and accurate free tax assistance more critical than ever.

Select NYC Health + Hospitals sites offer support in Spanish, Arabic, Chinese Russian and Urdu, and virtual tax preparation is available in Spanish as well. When a site does not have on-site language capacity, preparers will use an IRS-approved Over-the-Phone Interpreter (OPI) service, to support the appointment and any language needs.

NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed New Yorkers:

NYC Free Tax Prep for Self-Employed Filers provides free tax preparation services tailored to the needs of gig workers, freelancers and small business owners who often face barriers to filing taxes and managing financial recordkeeping. In addition to providing annual and quarterly estimated tax filling preparation assistance, workshops and one-on-one consultations help the growing number of New Yorkers who perform gig and freelance work to learn the basics of tax filing and recordkeeping best practices as self-employed filers.

To be eligible for tax preparation services for self-employed filers, New Yorkers must have business expenses of $250,000 or below. New Yorkers can find a site with these specially trained tax preparers by selecting “Self-Employed/Schedule C Assistance” on the NYC Free Tax Prep Map site finder.

Paid Tax Preparers:

Consumers should also be on alert for predatory tax preparers that overcharge, charge hidden fees, or file their return without permission. Beware of preparers promising a “rapid refund” or “fast cash” that hide the fact that a Refund Anticipation Loan is a loan. To that end, DCWP is issuing compliance notices to tax preparers across the city this month, warning them to adhere to New York City consumer protection laws that ban overcharging or charging hidden fees.

The City encourages eligible filers to file for free with NYC Free Tax Prep, but consumers who use a paid tax preparer should ask the preparer for the Consumer Bill of Rights Regarding Tax Preparers (additional languages available) and read it carefully before having their taxes prepared.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES ADDITIONAL ACTIONS TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE AHEAD OF WINTER’S COLDEST NIGHT

Mamdani Administration taking additional emergency measures to accelerate opening of new safe haven beds and stand-up new warming centers as quickly as possible

*** WATCH HERE ***

NEW YORK – TODAY, ahead of the coldest night of the winter, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced additional emergency actions to expand shelter and warming facility capacity across the city and bring vulnerable New Yorkers indoors.

On Friday night, the Mamdani administration accelerated the opening of 48 new safe haven beds in the Bronx for homeless people who are resistant to traditional shelter settings. The expansion was carried out with support from the Department of Social Services and the Department of Buildings.

The administration has also deployed more than 150 additional outreach workers — supplementing the more than 400 Department of Homeless Services outreach staff already working around the clock — to conduct direct street outreach throughout the weekend. More than 50 school nurses have also been deployed. Since January 19th, the city has made more than 1,300 shelter placements and involuntarily transported 29 New Yorkers.

On Saturday, the Department of Education announced it is supporting the opening of two additional warming centers – one in Far Rockaway and one in Washington Heights – in addition to the 10 reopened school-based warming centers announced Friday by the mayor.

In response to community concerns, Mayor Mamdani also directed city agencies to increase the size and visibility of signage and labeling on warming vehicles and at warming centers across all five boroughs.

Earlier today, Mayor Mamdani travelled to Staten Island to thank firefighters and emergency medical service workers for their efforts to keep New Yorkers safe and warm. City workers and partners continue operating with a heightened capacity to bring people indoors as temperatures drop.

“The temperature tonight will be the coldest we have seen all winter,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “If you are still outside, please come inside. Being outdoors for even a brief period of time can be lethal. City government is doing everything in its power to keep vulnerable New Yorkers safe and warm during this winter weather crisis. The cold is persistent, but so is this city. Let’s keep looking out for one another. Stay safe. Check on your neighbors. And if you see someone in need, please call 311.”

Today’s announcement builds on emergency actions announced Friday, including:

The expedited opening of 64 new hotel shelter units in Queens.

Operation of nearly 65 warming facilities citywide throughout the weekend.

Expansion of NYC Health + Hospitals’ mobile warming outreach initiative to 33 mobile units. The program has already engaged nearly 3,000 vulnerable New Yorkers, provided more than 1,000 clinical consultations, and distributed essential supplies, including blankets, warm clothing, socks, warm meals, and water, to more than 80% of those engaged.

A pilot “peer outreach” initiative through DHS deploying formerly homeless New Yorkers to conduct street outreach and build trust with people still outside.

A citywide message campaign in partnership with LinkNYC featuring a direct appeal from Mayor Mamdani for New Yorkers to come indoors, along with a new tool to locate the nearest warming center.

Collaboration with 311 to cut the amount of time in half that it takes to call for help for a homeless individual since the start of the Code Blue emergency.

As the City responds to this weather emergency, Mayor Mamdani said the administration is using every available tool to keep New Yorkers safe. Residents are encouraged to sign up for Notify NYC by texting NOTIFYNYC to 692-692 for emergency updates. More information here.

As Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly said: If you are still outdoors, please come inside. We want to help. We want to keep you safe.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES OPENING OF NEW SAFE HAVEN SHELTER IN LOWER MANHATTAN

Low-barrier shelter, operated by nonprofit Breaking Ground, will offer 106 beds to homeless New Yorkers

New shelter adds to single-room shelter facility in Upper Manhattan, warming buses, health centers, and other steps to address extended Code Blue emergency

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park announced the opening of a new Safe Haven shelter in Lower Manhattan to accommodate 106 New Yorkers in need of services. The shelter, which will be operated by longtime nonprofit service provider Breaking Ground, will serve exceptionally vulnerable New Yorkers, including older adults. The Mamdani administration accelerated the opening of the facility as a part of its ongoing work to bring homeless New Yorkers indoors to safe and warm locations during this historic cold snap.

“We are deploying every tool at our disposal to keep New Yorkers safe, warm, and indoors. This new facility in Lower Manhattan will help older and our most medically vulnerable New Yorkers get off the street and into stable shelter with the services that they need,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “City workers across the five boroughs are working overtime to provide services to those in need, clear the streets, pick up trash, and keep our city running. As the cold continues, I urge all New Yorkers to look out for your neighbors, call 311 if you see someone in need, and stay safe and warm indoors.”

“We applaud Mayor Mamdani’s strong commitment to supporting our most vulnerable New Yorkers and investing in housing solutions and resources that serve their unique needs,” said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “With the expedited opening of this site we are leaving no stone unturned in our response to the ongoing weather emergency and ensuring we are making all kinds of transitional housing options available for New Yorkers in need with the goal of meeting them where they are. We placed more than 1,000 New Yorkers in permanent homes from Safe Havens and stabilization bed sites last year, and we know they are an effective tool for addressing unsheltered homelessness. We look forward to working closely with the community to identify ways to collaboratively serve our neighbors in need as we build on the progress strengthening permanent housing outcomes for them.”

This new facility will help support the need for dedicated resources to address the prevalence of unsheltered homelessness in lower Manhattan. Safe Havens are a type of low-barrier facility with smaller settings and is equipped with on-site services and staff who work closely with clients to build trust, stabilize lives, and encourage further transition off the streets and ultimately into permanent housing. These facilities are often the first step towards getting homeless New Yorkers inside and are specifically targeted to individuals who may be resistant to accepting other services.

“At a time when the need for safe, dignified housing has never been greater, we’re grateful to our partners at the City for helping make this space possible,” said Brenda Rosen, President and CEO of Breaking Ground. “With more than 35 years of work supporting people experiencing homelessness, we know that low-barrier transitional housing like this can be a critical first step toward stability, health, and hope. We look forward to providing much-needed services and remaining a strong partner to the local community.”

“We applaud the administration for responding to the needs of New Yorkers experiencing homelessness by increasing the number of low barrier beds,” said Kristin Miller, Executive Director at Homeless Services United (HSU). “This action will save lives and shows good governance by its quick response.”

“BRC piloted the Safe Haven model back in 2006 as a way to appeal to those who felt the traditional shelter system was too restrictive. By implementing more flexible requirements, we were successfully able to help individuals others considered “service resistant” get off the street and ultimately transition into housing,” said Kelly Quirk, Chief Operating Officer at Bowery Residents’ Committee (BRC). “By fast tracking the opening of this facility, the Mamdani Administration is providing a much-needed and effective resource for New Yorkers experiencing chronic unsheltered homelessness.”

“BronxWorks knows first-hand that safe havens provide a low barrier, dignified housing option for our most vulnerable neighbors. We applaud the efforts to open this site especially as the brutal cold and code blue status for New York City continues,” said Eileen Torres, CEO, BronxWorks.

“We strongly support the City’s decision to fast-track the opening of a new low-barrier Safe Haven shelter in Lower Manhattan,” said David Giffen, Executive Director, Coalition for the Homeless. “The historic cold stretch has been made more deadly by the lack of safe, welcoming places for those living on the streets to come inside to find warmth and safety. For years, we have urged the City to increase the number of Safe Haven beds, particularly in Lower Manhattan where the need has been so great. The opening of this Safe Haven will make a positive difference in our community. Every neighborhood in New York City has a role to play in ensuring that unhoused New Yorkers have a safe alternative to the streets and subways.”

The Mamdani administration also recently announced an emergency expansion of single-room-occupancy style shelter units in Upper Manhattan, and has made 20 overnight mobile warming units such as buses and vans available to provide warmth, medical care, and transport to warming centers, hospitals, or shelters as needed. Since January 19th, DSS outreach workers have made 980 placements of homeless New Yorkers into shelters, and the Mamdani administration has stepped up additional outreach efforts with agency and external partners.

New Yorkers who see someone in need of assistance should call 311, which will be directed to 911 during overnight hours. During the ongoing Code Blue emergency, outreach teams attempt to make contact with homeless New Yorkers every four hours, and first responders help respond to 311 calls for people in need of assistance on the street. Shelters have relaxed intake policies, and no one will be turned away.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES NEW SHELTER AND OUTREACH EFFORTS TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE AS TEMPERATURES PLUMMET

City adding additional shelter and warming center capacity; bolstering outreach efforts; partnering with providers and non-profits to enhance our comprehensive response

NEW YORK – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced new efforts that the city will take ahead of the two coldest days of this winter. As part of a wide range of additional actions the city is taking, the Mamdani Administration is activating new direct street outreach workers, mobilizing additional mobile warming units with clinicians and resources, and recruiting health care professionals, non-profits, and providers to open up additional warming facilities — all part of the effort to keep every New Yorker safe this weekend.

Mayor Mamdani also announced a new expansion in hotel shelter units through the middle of next week, targeted towards individuals who have been resistant to other forms of more traditional shelter. In addition, earlier this week, the Mayor announced the opening of 50 safe haven beds in Upper Manhattan and the expedited opening of a safe haven, 106-bed shelter in Lower Manhattan. These shelter options provide New Yorkers a respite from the cold — and are a first step towards long-term stability. These new efforts build on the over 1,250 DHS placements into shelter, including 27 involuntary DHS transports, to keep New Yorkers safe and out of the cold. On the night of February 5th into February 6th, DHS saw a doubling of shelter placements from the previous night – indicating that our repeated efforts and additional shelter options are bringing more New Yorkers out of the cold and indoors.

“With this cold continuing to endure, so too will our efforts. While City government is doing everything in our power to offer warm spaces, shelter and protection, I am echoing my call to our fellow New Yorkers,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “We all must do our part to keep one another safe over the days to come. If you see someone in need, please call 311 immediately so our outreach workers and first responders at FDNY and NYPD can provide assistance. And to those who may consider themselves more comfortable on the streets, I want to speak directly to you to implore you — come inside. These temperatures are too low and too dangerous to survive. Please wait out the cold in a safe place with a warm bed.”

Mayor Mamdani announced that the city will take the following new steps to ensure that homeless New Yorkers have as many options to come out of the cold and indoors this weekend. Working with city agencies, local nonprofits, and through new public-private partnerships, the city is:

Adding ~60 new hotel shelter rooms through the middle of next week. This shelter type is specifically designed for individuals resistant to staying in more congregate settings.

Operating a total of 62 warming centers and vehicles over the weekend, including the addition of the following sites:

Reopening 10 NYC Public Schools as warming centers this weekend, building on existing capacity and access across the city.

Partnering with Northwell for 2 warming facilities.

Partnering with CUNY for 2 warming centers.

Keeping two Overdose Prevention Centers open 24 hours over the weekend to serve their clients.

Increasing the number of mobile warming units to 27 on Friday and 33 by Saturday night.

Bolstering our direct street outreach efforts by taking these new actions:

Enlisting the assistance of over 50 school nurses who have been trained on direct street outreach and will assist DHS outreach workers throughout the weekend.

Mobilizing the Crisis Management System (CMS), a network of neighborhood-based violence interrupters, to help do direct street outreach.

Partnering with Association of Community Employment Programs for the Homeless (ACE), an organization that works with New Yorkers with histories of homelessness, incarceration, and addiction, to deploy staff to enhance our direct street outreach efforts.

Recruiting Business Improvement Districts citywide to ask for their help in doing direct street outreach, and sharing messaging with them about how to help get folks connected to shelter and resources.

Piloting an innovative “peer” outreach model where formerly homeless New Yorkers are paired with outreach workers to try and bring homeless New Yorkers indoors.

Building on our direct communication efforts with New Yorkers by:

Implementing, alongside LinkNYC, a feature on kiosks citywide where people can look up the nearest warming center.

Since the start of these life-threatening weather conditions earlier this month, the Mamdani Administration has taken aggressive action to keep New Yorkers safe. The Mayor put out four PSAs on the cold weather conditions, including one on LinkNYC terminals across the city, which can be used to contact emergency services.

Mayor Mamdani continues to emphasize that no New Yorker will be turned away. The City remains in Code Blue protocols with expanded outreach canvassing and relaxed intake procedures. Being outdoors for even a brief amount of time this weekend will be dangerous and life-threatening. New Yorkers are encouraged to cover their skin, including their mouths, ears, and face.

As Mayor Mamdani has repeatedly said: if you are still outdoors, please come inside. We want to help you. We want to keep you safe.

What A Wonderful World: Mayor Mamdani Announces Free Admission Day at Louis Armstrong House Museum

Free for all New Yorkers on Sunday, February 7

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani kicked off Black History Month with a visit to the Louis Armstrong House Museum in Corona, Queens – the longtime home of the legendary jazz musician and his family. Standing in the neighborhood Armstrong loved for more than 30 years, Mayor Mamdani announced that the Louis Armstrong Museum will offer free admission to all visitors on Sunday, February 7, ensuring Black history is accessible to all New Yorkers. “I am grateful for the Louis Armstrong House Museum for its work to preserve and showcase the legacy of Louis Armstrong. As we begin Black History Month, I’m inspired by the museum’s commitment to opening its doors wide and inviting every New Yorker to experience the enduring achievements of a great jazz pioneer, American icon, and long-time New Yorker,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

“We are honored by Mayor Mamdani’s support of the Louis Armstrong legacy and the community he called home in New York. Armstrong was a jazz pioneer, America’s first Black popular music icon, and a global superstar. Born and raised in New Orleans, he called Corona, Queens home for 30 years. We are overjoyed that so many will be able to experience this legacy completely free as a part of our collective celebration of Black History,” said Regina Bain, Executive Director, Louis Armstrong House Museum. “Thank you Mayor Mamdani for all of your support for art and culture, legacy and remembering, in New York City.”

About the Louis Armstrong House Museum:

The Louis Armstrong House Museum, located in the Corona neighborhood of Queens, New York City, sustains and celebrates the sound, life, and legacy of Louis Armstrong. The museum preserves the home where Louis Armstrong and his wife, Louise Wilson lived, along with the grounds, and Armstrongs’ extensive archival materials. Through public programs, educational initiatives, and community engagement the museum to educate and inspire visitors. The museum also collaborates with contemporary artists to develop new work and performances. Find out more at https://www.louisarmstronghouse.org/.

Mayor Mamdani and DSS Announce New Single-Room Shelter Units in Upper Manhattan for Homeless New Yorkers

Emergency action comes as the City activates a whole-of-government response to potentially historic winter cold

Builds on yesterday’s launch of 17 new mobile warming units for direct outreach, which is expanding to 20 tonight

New York, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and the New York City Department of Social Services Commissioner Molly Park announced an emergency expansion of single-room-occupancy style shelter units in Upper Manhattan, which will be available beginning tomorrow for New Yorkers experiencing unsheltered homelessness, who are better served by these settings.

The new units are designed to reach people who are reluctant to come indoors because they do not want to share rooms or are skeptical of other shelter options.

“As a dangerous cold persists, my administration is working around the clock to keep New Yorkers safe. By making new single-room units available, we are meeting people where they are and removing barriers that keep too many New Yorkers out in the cold,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Across our city, dedicated public servants are clearing crosswalks and bus stops, melting down snow ridges, spreading salt and conducting relentless outreach to bring people indoors. As this critical work continues, I urge all New Yorkers who can to stay indoors, look out for your neighbors, and call 311 if you see someone who needs help.”

Protecting New Yorkers During Extreme Cold

As freezing temperatures continue, the Mamdani administration is deploying every available resource and introducing new ones to keep New Yorkers warm, safe and indoors. Since Jan. 19, intensified outreach efforts have resulted in more than 860 placements for homeless New Yorkers.

Information on warming center and available space can be found here on 311.

In addition to new single room shelter units announced today, the city has taken the following actions during the current cold weather emergency:

Under Code Blue protocols, outreach teams have expanded canvassing across all five boroughs to connect vulnerable New Yorkers with shelter, Safe Havens, drop-in centers, and warming buses. Intake procedures are relaxed during Cold Blue so anyone can come inside immediately.

Through NYC Health and Hospital’s mobile outreach program, the City has deployed a fleet of 20 overnight mobile warming units that provide cold weather relief, medical care, and access to warming centers, hospitals, or shelters as needed. Mobile warming units are operating nightly from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. for the duration of Code Blue.

As part of an all-hands response, the city has expanded warming bus capacity and strengthened coordination across agencies, including:

Deployment of 20 warming buses near hospitals, drop-in centers, and subway stations;

Enhanced warming centers at 11 NYC Health + Hospitals hospital facilities and seven Gotham Health community health centers across all boroughs;

Outreach by adult mental health providers to all clients, with priority for those who are homeless or medically vulnerable;

Overtime authorization for outreach staff and contractors; and

Coordinated messaging to shelter providers, faith organizations and hospitals to help bring people indoors.

City agencies have aligned public messaging on warming buses, warming center, and homeless outreach services. Notify NYC has issued multiple alerts in 13 languages, including ASL, reaching nearly 1.5 million New Yorkers. Information has been distributed to all 43 active Strengthening Community partners and shared with approximately 8,000 nonprofit partners through the Community Preparedness Newsletter. NYC Emergency Management (NYCEM) has also transmitted this guidance to every elected official in the city.

Additional outreach has reached more than 2,000 service providers through the NYC Advance Warning System, which supports organizations serving people with disabilities and others with access and functional needs.

NYCEM continues to convene daily interagency coordination calls through the Winter Weather Emergency Steering Committee, with participation from approximately 35 agencies to align logistics, staffing, locations and outreach.

Mayor Mamdani has also released multiple public service announcements urging New Yorkers to stay safe during extreme weather:

PSA #1

PSA #2

PSA #3

Snow and Ice Removal Updates

The Mamdani administration continues to expand snow and ice removal efforts citywide. Mayor Mamdani recently announced more than 2,500 Department of Sanitation workers are deployed per shift, supported by 385 additional city workers, 640 contractors and 530 emergency snow shovelers.

As of today, crews have cleared more than 24,649 crosswalks, 6,947 fire hydrants and 14,831 bus stops. The city has spread 188 million pounds of salt and melted 67 million pounds of snow, up from 23 million yesterday.

These numbers will continue to rise as cleanup continues. New Yorkers are encouraged to stay safe indoors when possible, and to report uncleared crosswalks, sidewalks, medians, roads, bus shelters or fire hydrants by calling 311.

Mayor Mamdani Announces More Than 50,000 3-K and Pre-K Applications Submitted

Applications for 3-K and Pre-K open for all families through February 27 

New York, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced that more than 50,000 families have applied for 3-K and Pre-K since applications opened on Jan. 14, 2026. The announcement came during a visit to a home-based child care provider in Manhattan’s Chinatown.

Home-based child care providers are eligible 3-K providers and offer culturally and linguistically responsive care for families across the city. The visit marked one of the first times in recent years that a sitting mayor has visited a home-based child care provider, underscoring the Mamdani administration’s commitment to supporting community-based and home-based child care providers.

“Every child deserves access to free, high quality childcare – and we’re making sure families across the city know that now is the time to enroll in 3-k and pre-K,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Over the past few weeks, we’ve left no stone unturned in getting the word out, and the strong response so far shows that families are ready. Applications are still open through Feb. 27, and we encourage every eligible family to apply.”

Families can apply by visiting myschools.nyc, calling 718-935-2009 or visiting one of the city’s 13 Family Welcome Centers.

“These numbers show what we already know – New York City families understand the power of early childhood education,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “High-quality 3-K and Pre-K programs give our youngest New Yorkers a strong foundation for learning while supporting working families across the city.”

Applications remain open through Feb. 27, 2026. All families with eligible children are encouraged to apply at myschools.nyc.gov or by calling 718-935-2009. Support is available in multiple languages. Applications are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, and any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer.

The City’s Family Welcome Centers are open Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Families can call 718-935-2009 from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Today’s visit builds on Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul’s historic announcement earlier this month delivering 2-Care to New York City. As envisioned by the Mamdani Administration, the first year of 2-Care will focus on high-need areas selected by New York City, with plans to expand to serve all interested families citywide by year four. Mayor Mamdani will also partner with Governor Hochul to strengthen and fix the city’s 3-K program and ensure it delivers on its promise of universal access.

Mayor Mamdani Visits Snow Melting Location, Updates New Yorkers on Snow Removal Operations

Thousands of City workers deployed each shift to clear crosswalks, bus stops, and bike lanes

City melted 23 million pounds of snow and used 116 million pounds of salt

*** Watch Video Here ***

NEW YORK, NY – Mayor Zohran Mamdani visited a Department of Sanitation (DSNY) snow-melting site yesterday morning to provide an update on the City’s response to this weekend’s winter storm, which brought as much as 15 inches of snow to some parts of New York City.

“Across all five boroughs, we’ve melted 23 million pounds of snow using eight snow-melting sites. Every 12-hour shift, 2,500 sanitation workers are out there clearing bus stops, crosswalks, hydrants, and other critical infrastructure,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “These are tough conditions, and these workers are doing essential work to keep this city moving.”

Mamdani said the city is expanding its response to meet the ongoing challenges posed by freezing temperatures.

“There is still more work to do,” Mamdani said. “That’s why we are bringing in hundreds more city workers from outside the Sanitation Department, extending shifts and deploying emergency equipment to get this done faster and safer.”

How the City is Keeping Our Streets Clear:

DSNY has deployed approximately 2,500 sanitation workers per shift. To speed recovery, the Departments of Parks and Recreation, Environmental Protection, Transportation and Citywide Administrative Services are assisting sanitation crews. The city has also contracted roughly 500 emergency snow shovelers per day over the past three days. In addition, 100 sanitation workers are operating specialized vehicles, to break up and remove snow ridges that remain frozen due to prolonged cold.

Despite challenging conditions, City workers have cleared more than 13,876 crosswalks, 12,696 bus stops, and 4,486 fire hydrants. Operations continue around the clock. The City has used 116 million pounds of salt to keep roads safe and passable, and, since Tuesday, melted 23 million pounds of snow. Yesterday, eight snow-melting locations – at least one in every borough – were activated to further support snow removal operations.

Thanks to the tireless work of City workers, the City shoveled 100% of bus stops with shelters across the City in the past few days. However, City workers are still out on the streets, working tirelessly to ensure streets remain cleared.

Here’s What We Are Asking of New Yorkers:

Keeping streets safe is a shared responsibility. Property owners are required to clear snow and ice from sidewalks adjacent to their buildings. Snow may be placed at the building line or the curbline but not in the street, where it obstructs snow removal operations.

Violations will continue to be issued for property owners who fail to comply. Snow or ice conditions on sidewalks can be reported by calling 311.

The Mayor urged New Yorkers to remain vigilant as cleanup efforts continue.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES $5 MILLION SETTLEMENT, REINSTATEMENT OF AS MANY AS 10,000 WRONGFULLY DEACTIVATED FOOD DELIVERY WORKERS Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda will pay more than $5 million for violations affecting nearly 50,000 workers

NEW YORK, NY – Today, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Sam Levine announced more than $5 million in worker restitution and penalties secured from three major restaurant delivery app companies. Uber Eats, Fantuan, and HungryPanda will pay a combined $5,195,000 in restitution, civil penalties, and damages to more than 49,000 food delivery workers to resolve violations of the City’s Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. Uber has also agreed to reinstate workers who were wrongfully deactivated between December 2023 and September 2024, which may impact as many as 10,000 people.

“In the first month of this administration, our city has made one thing unmistakably clear: there is zero tolerance for exploiting workers, cutting corners on labor protections, or rigging our economy to serve wealthy corporations at the expense of working people,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “This settlement won’t just deliver real relief to thousands of New Yorkers—it draws a red line for corporate abuse. If you break the law and profit from exploitation, you will be held accountable, swiftly and directly.”

“The era of giant corporations juicing profits by underpaying workers is over,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “I’m proud that this agency is not only returning full back pay, but is recovering damages and penalties to send a strong message that cheating workers will not be tolerated.”

Uber Eats will pay $3,150,000 in restitution to more than 48,000 workers citywide and $350,000 in civil penalties and fees. DCWP’s investigation found that Uber Eats failed to pay workers the minimum pay rate between December 2023 and September 2024 for time spent on canceled trips. Fantuan will pay more than $468,000 in restitution to 285 workers citywide and more than $52,000 in civil penalties and fees. DCWP’s investigation found that Fantuan failed to pay workers the minimum pay rate between December 2023 and February 2024. HungryPanda will pay $1,068,672 in restitution to more than 1,000 workers citywide and more than $106,327 in civil penalties and fees. DCWP’s investigation found that HungryPanda failed to pay workers the minimum pay rate between December 2023 and January 2024.

These cases demonstrate the success of DCWP’s innovative compliance monitoring systems, which allow the agency to identify and stop violations quickly. By pairing the apps’ monthly reporting obligations with direct and targeted engagement with workers, DCWP is able to quickly identify and correct violations of law. Through enforcement, DCWP ensures that affected workers receive the money apps owe them, plus an additional amount to compensate for the violations.

“New York will not stand by while large corporations break the law and take advantage of the working class. The minimum pay rate exists because workers deserve dignity, stability, and fair pay. I want to thank Mayor Mamdani and DCWP Commissioner Levine for enforcing our Delivery Worker Laws and standing with Deliveristas,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez.

“I applaud the work of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection and Mayor Mamdani. Today is a victory for working-class New Yorkers over corporate greed,” said Council Member Harvey Epstein, Chair, Committee on Consumer and Worker Protection. “For too long, delivery companies have operated a model that preys on vulnerable workers, particularly within immigrant communities, by stealing tips and violating minimum wage laws. This settlement marks the beginning of a new era. The days of multibillion-dollar corporations profiting off the backs of their workers are over. In their first month in office, the mayor is demonstrating their commitment to standing up for workers at every turn.”

“When the City Council passes a law to protect workers, we mean it. Mayor Mamdani and DCWP are taking enforcement seriously, and workers are going to see the difference in their pockets,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “The $5 million dollar settlement over violations of the minimum wage law sends a message to the apps that we are holding them accountable and will make sure that deliveristas receive every cent they’ve earned.”

“I applaud DCWP’s relentless work holding companies like Uber accountable for stealing wages from their workers,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Deliveristas are an essential part of our city’s workforce, and the Council and City Hall are committed to protecting their rights and dignity.”

“The laws we make are only as good as the administration and agencies that choose to enforce them. Make no mistake, this $5 million settlement is the result of delivery workers organizing, the City Council passing strong minimum pay protections, and an enforcement apparatus willing to hold powerful companies accountable. This is what it looks like when government does its job: workers are respected, bad actors are penalized, and the law actually means something,” said Council Member Jen Gutierrez.

“This settlement is a turning point for delivery workers and for justice in this industry,” said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of Worker’s Justice Project and Co-Founder of its Los Deliveristas Unidos. “For years, app companies treated the law as optional – hiding behind algorithms, stealing wages, and deactivating workers without consequence. The scale of these abuses proves what deliveristas have been saying for years: exploitation is not an accident – it’s baked into the app delivery business model. But today’s victory also clearly shows that those days are over. We’re grateful and proud to stand with Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Levine in sending a clear message to every app company: workers are organized, the City is watching, and when you break the law, there will be real consequences.”

This announcement comes as the Mamdani administration ramps up efforts to crack down on predatory delivery apps, reverse worker losses through aggressive enforcement of the Delivery Worker Laws, and hold companies and individuals accountable for ripping off the hardworking, majority-immigrant deliveristas of this city. Earlier this month, Commissioner Levine announced a lawsuit against Motoclick and sent compliance warnings to over 60 companies including Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber, and other app companies, warning them to adhere to expanded delivery worker protection laws that recently went into effect.

This includes Local Law 113, which increases delivery worker pay transparency; Local Laws 123 and 124, which expand the minimum pay rate to cover third-party grocery delivery workers, give timely and weekly payment rights to more contracted delivery workers, and improve bathroom access for contracted delivery workers; and Local Laws 107 and 108, which require restaurant and grocery apps to offer a tipping option at checkout. As a report DCWP released earlier this month revealed, DoorDash and Uber engineered design tricks in their interfaces that lowered workers’ tip earnings by $550 million. Those tricks are now illegal.

The City’s pioneering Minimum Pay Rate rule, established by Local Law 115 of 2021, dramatically increased average hourly earnings for app-based delivery workers without reducing deliveries. The MPR will increase to $22.13 for the first pay period on or after April 1, 2026. The $22.13 rate reflects a 3.2% adjustment for inflation between December 2024 and December 2025.

Mayor Mamdani Details “Adams Budget Crisis”

Adams’ staggering fiscal mismanagement left a $12 billion hole in NYC budget for the next two fiscal years

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani outlined the “Adams Budget Crisis,” a fiscal emergency driven by years of staggering mismanagement under former Mayor Eric Adams that left New York City facing a $12 billion budget shortfall over fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Speaking at a press conference, Mamdani said the crisis stemmed from a pattern of underbudgeting essential services that New Yorkers rely on every day including rental assistance, shelter operations, and special education. For example, Adams budgeted $860 million for cash assistance in fiscal year 2026, even though current projections put the cost at nearly $1.7 billion, almost double what was budgeted.

Under the Adams administration, budget gaps were consistently and intentionally understated. In some programs, the true shortfall is nearly double what was publicly disclosed. Mamdani also pointed to a longer pattern of disinvestment driven by the state. During more than a decade under former Gov. Andrew Cuomo, New York City sent far more revenue to Albany than it received in return. In 2022 alone, New York City sent $68.8 billion in revenue to Albany – and received just $47.6 billion back.

“That imbalance has hollowed out our city’s finances and left us with a chasm that can no longer be sustained,” Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani said.

Mayor Mamdani said his administration will not allow working New Yorkers – who did not cause the crisis – to become victims of its solution. He reaffirmed the city’s commitment to balancing the preliminary budget for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 on Feb. 17 and renewed his call to raise taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations in New York, while rooting out waste and inefficiencies in city government.

Find Mayor Mamdani’s “Adams Budget Crisis” PowerPoint HERE.

Transcript below:

Mayor Zohran Mamdani: Good morning. I want to speak directly to New Yorkers, who have for too long been misled and misinformed about the true state of our City’s finances. I will be blunt: New York City is facing a serious fiscal crisis. There is a massive fiscal deficit in our City’s budget to the tune of at least $12 billion. We did not arrive at this place by accident. This crisis has a name and a chief architect. In the words of the Jackson 5, it’s as easy as A-B-C. This is the Adams Budget Crisis.

In 2025, under the banner of what he called the Best Budget Ever, former Mayor Eric Adams handed the next administration a poisoned chalice. He systematically under-budgeted services that New Yorkers rely on every single day. Rental assistance, shelter, and special education, while quietly leaving behind enormous gaps for the future. And knowing his time in office was likely coming to an end, Mayor Adams chose political self-preservation over fiscal responsibility. This is not just bad governance. It is negligence.

And now, the responsibility falls upon us to protect working New Yorkers from paying the price. We expected for months that when we entered City Hall, we would likely inherit a grim fiscal situation. Many of the journalists here reported about an imbalance during the Adams years. Yet, once we looked under the hood, the full picture was staggering. However, Eric Adams is not the only reason we are here. For over a decade, as he governed from Albany, former Governor Andrew Cuomo extracted our City’s resources, using our revenue to address state-level holes, while withholding from the City what it was owed. The result is a stunning fiscal imbalance. New Yorkers contribute 54.5 percent of state revenue and receive only 40.5 percent back.

No part of this state gives more and gets less in return than New York City. While we did not create this crisis, we will solve it. And we will do so, without balancing the budget on the backs of working people. Now I want to walk New Yorkers through the nuances of this crisis that we must contend with. Here, you can see former Mayor Adams projected budget gaps, as well as the projections prepared by City Comptroller Lander and Levine as well as State Controller DiNapoli.

These projections were formed independently, but they tell the same story. We are still reviewing the City’s fiscal health ourselves, but our early analysis is in line with their findings. And the story that those findings tell is clear. The Adams administration dramatically and intentionally understated the problem. The budget gaps are twice as high year after year. Notably, Mayor Adams underestimated known budget expenses so he could show FY26 was balanced. These are not differences in opinion between accountants. They are measured to the tune of more than $7 billion beyond what he published.

We are dealing with vast figures and statistics that can often feel intangible. I want to place them into a historical context, so that the scale of the crisis is clear to New Yorkers. For reference, the budget gaps we are facing today are higher than they were at the height of the Great Recession. And when compared to the pre-pandemic 10-year average, some of these projected deficits are over 300 percent higher. This is not business as usual. This is a historic challenge and it demands an honest response.

Time and again, Adams kicked the can of responsibility down the road. Last year, when he laid out his January and May financial plans, he not only failed to budget sufficiently; he ignored projections that indicated major expenses [that] would rise in years to come. These expenses not only totaled nearly $8 billion, they’re on an upward trajectory. And still, former Mayor Adams refused to incorporate them, leaving a massive $3 billion hole in FY26. The budgetary choices he made in the past, have consequences that we reckon with today, with ripple effects extending into the years to come.

Former Mayor Adams made the repeated, deliberate choice to under-budget. It was a pattern. He budgeted $860 million for cash assistance this fiscal year, but current estimates are $1.625 billion, nearly double what he had accounted for. He budgeted $1.47 billion for shelter costs this fiscal year, but current estimates reflected an additional, unaccounted for, $500 million. He budgeted paltry fractions of what was actually required, undermining the city’s ability to fulfill its promises. These are not optional services. They are critical responsibilities of City government. Let’s talk about the state and City imbalance.

In FY22, New York City sent $68.8 billion in revenue to Albany and received $47.6 billion back. That is more than a gap. It is a $21.2 billion chasm, and it can no longer be sustained. It is measured in city schools that could have more teachers, parks that could have more staff, playgrounds that could be built across the five boroughs. That $21.2 billion gap occurred because over the decade Governor Cuomo was in office, the state saw our city as a place from which wealth could be extracted without recognizing the needs of that same place. New York City is the economic engine of this state.

While we contribute the majority of state revenue growth, we do not receive the same proportion of state funds. From FY2010 to FY22, a period where Andrew Cuomo served as governor for almost the entire duration, state revenue grew by $48 billion. New York City alone generated 64 percent of that growth, or $31 billion. But when expenditures increased by $36 billion, New York City received only 42 percent, or $15 billion. Annually, that is an $8 billion shortfall of what our city was owed.

Our city is one of multitudes, containing both incredible affluence and tremendous needs. And for too long, only half of that equation has been met. Each of these slides, and the numbers they contain, tell a clear story. It is the story of a city that is economically powerful and central to the success of the entire state, if not the entire country. And it is the story of a city that has been failed by its leaders of the past. Together, let us tell a new story. As we approach the preliminary budget, City Hall will do what the law requires.

We will deliver a balanced budget over two fiscal years. We will also do, however, what former Mayor Adams never did. We will be clear and direct about our needs with Albany. Working people did not cause this crisis, and they cannot be made the victims of its solution. In my inaugural address, I made a promise. I said that we would overcome every moment of adversity, together. And we would meet every moment of fiscal challenge with ambition, not austerity. That promise stands.

We will not shrink from this moment. We will not succumb to small ideas. We will meet this crisis with the bold solutions it demands. That means recalibrating the broken fiscal relationship between the state and the city. And it means that the time has come to tax the richest New Yorkers and most profitable corporations. This is the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, and yet we have allowed one in four New Yorkers to live in poverty. It doesn’t need to be that way.

We will remain in constant conversation with Governor Hochul and legislative leaders, and we will do something that too many New Yorkers have learned not to expect from City Hall. We will be honest, transparent, and we will communicate the decisions we’re making and why we’re making them. We have inherited a crisis from the past New York, but it need not define our future. We will overcome this moment of hardship and chart a new course for our city. It will be difficult, but anything worth doing always is. Thank you.

Question: Part of the budget gap that you’ve criticized from the previous administration comes down to the CityFHEPS ballooning spending for the comptroller’s analysis. Do you plan to accurately reflect those costs in the preliminary budget, and would you continue the last administration’s litigation to stop an expansion of eligibility for that program in a second budget question?

Mayor Mamdani: You know, much of what I have just shared with all of you and with New Yorkers is making clear how the prior administration mismanaged not only the budget, but also, frankly, housing and assistance programs. And as we assess the state of the city’s fiscal health, we have requested more time to work on a settlement in the CityFHEPS case. Looking forward, we want to make sure that we balance New Yorkers’ access to medium- and long-term housing while also crafting a sustained and balanced budget. And throughout all of this, we are looking to be honest and direct with New Yorkers. We are not looking to play the kind of financial games that have often come to characterize these budget processes.

Question: Will the settlement expand eligibility or no?

Mayor Mamdani: I think right now, those conversations are ongoing.

Question: Just one on efficiency. I mean, you’ve been critical of the past administration’s cost-cutting, but you also said you will find efficiencies. What, if any, cost-cutting measures are you looking at? What’s on the table? Are things like agency cuts or remaining vacancies, which the past administration has been criticized for, on the table for you?

Mayor Mamdani: Yeah, I think there is a difference between pursuing savings and efficiencies and pursuing austerity. And we are going to pursue every single saving and efficiency that we can find, and we’re also going to do so in a manner that does not come at the expense of working New Yorkers. When we are looking at such a clear and explicit picture of gross fiscal mismanagement, it is also clear that that extends to other expense decisions that were made. And so right now, we are going through every single dollar that the city spends and ensuring that every single one of us on this stage would be able to defend that dollar. Because if it cannot be defended, then it’s not a dollar that should be spent.

Question: You’re describing this sort of fundamental relationship reset that you want between the city and the state. I imagine it would take more than just these two tax increases to achieve that. So, I mean, is there more that you’re expecting to ask for in terms of long-term, you know, resetting just beyond that?

Mayor Mamdani: We are speaking about a fiscal crisis at [a] scale greater than the Great Recession. And so, there will not be one single thing that can answer that crisis. It will require us to pursue every single avenue. That means looking inward into savings and efficiencies. That also means raising taxes on the wealthiest New Yorkers and the most profitable corporations. And it means recalibrating the relationship with the state.

We are looking for what New York City is owed. And what we have found in almost the entire duration that former Governor Cuomo was at the helm in Albany was the shifting of that relationship into one that is stunning in its imbalance. And so, there are a number of specific things that then-Governor Cuomo did in shifting those burdens. There are sadly too many examples to be able to cite with you today, but it does leave us with many options for how we can bring this back to what is deserved.

Question: I’m wondering about the wisdom of calling on higher taxes for wealthy corporations when the governor has been clear that that is not her priority and she’s not interested in that. And I wonder if that will leave the city in a difficult position if, politically, you are unable to get those things done.

Mayor Mamdani: I think what we’re seeing right now is that the city is in a difficult position. We are also seeing a moment where the gross fiscal mismanagement has left New Yorkers with a bill the likes of which we have not seen in many, many years. And we have seen in the politics of the past that in moments such as these, we ask those with the least to bear the greatest burden. And we know that here in the wealthiest city in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, that we can not only put our city back on firmer financial footing, but also build a stronger city for everyone if the top one percent of New Yorkers pay an additional two percent in income taxes.

Recently, I actually had a New Yorker turn to me and self-identify as someone who would be taxed by this proposal. He said, “You know, I’m a millionaire, and is it true that you want to raise taxes on me?” And I said, “It is true.” And they said, “Well, I would leave. ” I said, “I don’t think you would.” They said, “Why not?” I said, “Because we’re looking to raise income taxes on the top one percent by two percent. So, for $1 million a year, that’s an increase of $20,000 in taxes. And when I told them the amount, they realized that it wasn’t enough to actually make them change where they would consider their residence.

Question: [Inaudible] matter if the governor says she’s not doing it?

Mayor Mamdani: I think what we’ve seen for far too long is the City hasn’t even advocated for itself when it comes to Albany. And what we are going to do is exhaust every option to make it clear that the time has come to reset the relationship between the city, its wealthiest residents, its most profitable corporations, and with Albany. And I believe that together we can get there.

Question: The criticism of Mayor Adams for the first three years in office was actually that he was too conservative in his estimates of what the revenue would end up being. And then the tax receipts from high earners and from Wall Street bonuses would come in hundreds of millions of dollars over what they had originally anticipated. And his conservatism was used the first three years — not this most recent year — to justify spending cuts or austerity. Are you being conservative right now in your estimates of what the Wall Street revenue is going to be? We saw the state have a banner year—$17 billion more than they thought they would get. Are you assuming that the Wall Street bonuses are going to go down?

Mayor Mamdani: We are encouraged by what we are hearing around Wall Street bonuses as well as by increased revenue. However, the scale of this deficit, of $12 billion, is such that it will not be covered no matter what that news is. And so while we appreciate it, while it will be helpful, it will still require structural solutions to ensure that we are back on a firm fiscal footing.

Question: For you, Mayor, obviously – and I guess if Sharif and Dean want to chime in – I know you’ve been critical of former Governor Cuomo for the money that was not given to New York City, but he has [not] been the governor since August 2021. What have your conversations been like with Governor Kathy Hochul about what the City is owed, while also knowing you need her buy-in to tax the wealthiest?

And additionally, I know you’re here saying that you want to be as clear to New Yorkers as possible, but you’re not really giving details on how you could and would make cuts, saying you’re going to look inward. I guess it sounds like you’re saying it sounds like therapy speak, but it’s not really useful in practical terms for what the City and what New Yorkers – whether they’re working class, the poorest or the wealthiest New Yorkers – could go through while you’re trying to get this budget corrected. So, do you want to give more details?

Mayor Mamdani: We are going to deliver a preliminary budget on February 17th. And when we do so, that will be a budget that lays out the specifics of this. What we wanted to do is be very clear with New Yorkers as soon as the scale of this fiscal deficit came to our attention, what it was, how we got here. In the time between now and the release of that preliminary budget, we are going to be sharing additional specifics, not only in terms of the fiscal gap once these revenues are accounted for, once these Wall Street bonuses are accounted for, but also the kinds of savings that we are pursuing. And that specificity is going to be one that makes clear we are looking not only to protect and deliver public goods, but also public excellence, public efficiency. And that we are not going to allow for this kind of a fiscal crisis to be the justification for pulling back on the kinds of city services that New Yorkers so desperately and deeply deserve.

Question: Back to my first question. What have your conversations with Governor Hochul been like? Because hasn’t she and her state budget been withholding funds from the City since 2022?

Mayor Mamdani: I’ve been encouraged by our conversations with Governor Hochul, and I’ve been encouraged also by the relationship that we are building, which is a different kind of relationship than one that’s typically been the case between City Hall and Albany. And I continue to have a belief in our ability to meet this kind of a challenge and to do so with the scale of response that’s necessary.

Question: So, you’re saying here that you’re planning to balance the budget in the prelim with efficiency. So, I guess I’m a little unclear. It doesn’t really seem like a crisis if the budget is going to be balanced. So, my question is, if that’s the case, why should the governor give you more money? Especially considering progressive taxation doesn’t mean you get back what you pay, and a billionaire doesn’t get more services because they pay more taxes than someone with lower income.

MAYOR MAMDANI SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO REQUIRE CHIEF SAVINGS OFFICERS ACROSS CITY AGENCIES, BOLSTER CITY PERFORMANCE

Each agency to designate Chief Savings Officer to review performance,

eliminate waste and streamline service delivery

Officers will identify programs that provide highest returns for New Yorkers and improve long-term quality and efficiency of City government

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani today signed Executive Order 12 to designate an existing senior employee as “Chief Savings Officer” at every city agency and strengthen the long-term performance of city government. The Chief Savings Officers will report directly to the head of the agency and will have 45 days to review agency operations, determine services that deliver the strongest results for New Yorkers, and locate opportunities to streamline processes and eliminate waste. Chief Savings Officers will help protect the city services that New Yorkers rely upon and improve the efficiency of city government for years to come.

“Delivering public goods requires public excellence. That means a government that respects New Yorkers by using every dollar wisely. By designating a Chief Savings Officer at every agency, we’re taking direct aim at waste, cutting through bureaucracy, and making city services work. These Chief Savings Officers will help ensure that every dollar we spend is in service of a safer, cleaner, and more affordable city — and that our government meets the standard New Yorkers deserve,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

Under Executive Order 12, each city agency will have five days to appoint a Chief Savings Officer and ensure they are empowered with the relevant staff and data to meet Mayor Mamdani’s mandate. Chief Savings Officers will have 45 days to complete a comprehensive assessment of their agency’s spending — analyzing the most expensive programs to understand major drivers of cost as well as the highest-performing programs to register services with clear and meaningful results. Additionally, they will determine opportunities to consolidate services, insource programs, and reduce wasteful expenses such as duplicative programs.

Chief Savings Officers will present their findings to the Offices of the First Deputy Mayor and Budget Director. In order to meaningfully stabilize the City’s finances and lay the foundation for lasting government excellence, Chief Savings Officers will not focus on one-time accounting measures but rather on recurring savings and sustainable efficiencies. Additionally, Chief Savings Officers will complete updated assessments every six months, evaluating progress and identifying new opportunities for savings and efficiency.

Executive Order 12 follows yesterday’s announcement that severe fiscal mismanagement by the Adams administration left New York City with a $12 billion budget shortfall over fiscal years 2026 and 2027.

Mayor Mamdani Releases New Video Urging New Yorkers to Take Precautions As Life-Threatening Cold Continues

New Yorkers are encouraged to stay inside if possible, call 311 if they see someone in need of assistance

City has opened 17 warming and health centers, adding vehicular warming spaces across the city

Watch the public service announcement HERE

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Mamdani released a new PSA urging New Yorkers to take precautions as life-threatening cold continues in New York City. This new video taps into the Mayor’s wide digital reach and builds on the administration’s wide-reaching efforts to help New Yorkers stay safe and warm during the storm – including newly-opened New York City Health + Hospitals health centers and warming vehicles at key locations across the city.

Mayor Mamdani announced today the administration implemented new unprecedented health and safety measures to both reach more people in need and provide more options for people to stay inside. In addition to opening ten warming centers before the storm hit, the City opened additional New York City Health + Hospitals health centers across the five boroughs; setting up warming vehicles at key locations across the city; and partnering with houses of worship to ensure New Yorkers know where they can find indoor space. Additionally, Mayor Mamdani announced relaxed intake policies at all hospitals across the city.

“Right now, our city is in the midst of potentially the longest stretch of below-freezing temperatures on record. Our administration is leaving no stone unturned to reach New Yorkers in need of assistance, and to ensure that warm spaces are available to anybody who needs them,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani at this morning’s press conference. “Please stay indoors, stay safe, and call 311 if you see someone in need of assistance. No one will be turned away from a shelter during this emergency.”

The City has been under a Code Blue emergency since Monday, January 19th where shelters have a relaxed intake policy and outreach teams canvass the city for homeless New Yorkers in need of shelter every four hours, and every two when weather conditions constitute an enhanced Code Blue emergency. These outreach teams have made nearly 500 placements to transitional housing, including shelters, safe haven beds, and stabilization beds since January 19th. Tragically, at least ten New Yorkers have lost their lives after being found outdoors; the City continues to conduct autopsy reports to assess their cause of death and is determining their housing status at time of death.

To help reach New Yorkers in need, the administration is allowing outreach providers to pay overtime to do as much overnight outreach as possible; partnering with faith-based organizations, advocates, and volunteers like the Street Homeless Advocacy Project to conduct life and safety outreach, including extra outreach shifts in high need areas; and expanding the hours of Street Health Outreach & Wellness mobile units to bring people indoors during late and early hours, including using their vans for transport and temporary shelter.

In addition, the annual Homeless Outreach Population Estimate (HOPE) count, which had been scheduled for the night of January 27th, was postponed to February 3rd to ensure that outreach workers can use all available resources to serve New Yorkers in need.

Since preparation for the winter storm began, the Mamdani administration has led three large-scale briefings for city, state, and federal elected officials and staff, each with more than 100 participants, and daily private sector calls with financial services, retail, food distribution, airlines, and real estate industries to ensure continuity of essential services and align private infrastructure with City response priorities.

Mayor Mamdani’s calls for New Yorkers to sign up for Notify NYC alerts have driven nearly 70,000 new subscribers in one week, including the largest single day enrollment in system history.

READ the full transcript of the video here:

“Hello New York.

The snow may have stopped falling, but the dangerous cold remains. Our city is in the midst of what may be the longest stretch of below freezing temperatures in recorded history.

Extreme cold snaps like this are life-threatening. Already, 10 of our neighbors have tragically passed away after being found outdoors. We are doing everything in our power to keep New Yorkers safe.

First of all, the City remains in enhanced Code Blue. That means outreach teams are working around the clock to get homeless New Yorkers into shelters. We’ve already made 500 placements since January 19. As part of Code Blue, we are rerouting 311 calls to 911 so help arrives faster. We are bypassing traditional shelter intake rules so that everyone can be accommodated.

Let me clear: no one will be turned away.

We are also increasing the hours of outreach vans that can transport people to shelter during late and early hours. We’re expanding paid overtime of those outreach teams.

We have opened 10 new warming shelters since Friday. as well as an additional 7 health centers and ten new warming buses across the five boroughs.

When it comes to getting people out of the cold, we are leaving no stone unturned. If you see someone outside in the cold who looks like they might need help, please call 311.

Stay safe, stay warm, and look out for your neighbors.”

Mayor Mamdani and Schools Chancellor Samuels Announce Pivot to Remote Instruction for New York City Public Schools

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels (NYCPS) announced that, due to extreme weather conditions, all NYCPS buildings will be closed Monday, Jan. 26, with instruction continuing remotely.

The decision prioritizes the safety of students, families, and staff while ensuring continuity of instruction and meeting New York State’s 180-day instructional requirement.

All after-school programs, adult education and other school-based programming are canceled. The transition to remote instruction will impact approximately 500,000 students across more than 1,100 schools. For high school students and students in grades six through eight attending schools that serve grades six through twelve, the previously scheduled professional learning day will remain in effect and Monday will remain a day off.  

“As snowfall begins to blanket our city and conditions become hazardous, closing school buildings is a necessary step to keep New Yorkers safe,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Over the past week, my administration has prepared for this moment – ensuring devices are in hand, families are informed and educators are ready to welcome students online. Our school system, and our city, is prepared to weather this storm together.”

“Preparation matters, especially in moments like this,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels. “I am grateful to our school communities for the work they’ve done over the last several days – from stress-testing technology to securing buildings and getting virtual classrooms ready. This was a difficult decision made with the safety of every family in mind, and I thank you for your flexibility.”  

Over the past week, schools worked to confirm that students have the tools needed to participate in remote learning, and NYCPS coordinated with vendors to stress-test login systems across digital platforms and a range of scenarios. Schools are prepared to address technology issues if they arise. Students who need technical support can visit selfservice.schools.nyc or contact their school directly.  

Charter and nonpublic schools make independent decisions regarding closures. However, charter schools co-located in NYC public school buildings will be closed when NYCPS pivots to remote instruction.

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI AND SPEAKER JULIE MENIN ANNOUNCE FORMATION OF QUADRENNIAL COMMISSION ON PUBLIC SERVANT COMPENSATION

The Commission, the first since 2015, will independently study and recommend possible compensation changes through pathway required by City Charter

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Mamdani and Speaker Julie Menin today announced the convening of a Quadrennial Advisory Commission to review compensation levels for certain public servants, in accordance with the New York City Charter, and as an alternative to proposed legislation that would have automatically provided compensation increases.

The Commission will conduct an independent, comprehensive review of compensation for elected officials and issue recommendations for consideration by the Mayor and Speaker. The Commission will review compensation for Council Members, citywide elected officials, and District Attorneys. The City Council must approve any changes to compensation following the Commission’s recommendations.

“New Yorkers deserve transparency and accountability in how their government operates — including how elected officials are paid. An independent commission helps ensure any changes are lawful, justified, and rooted in the public interest,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Convening this body is a necessary step toward compliance, and I look forward to carefully reviewing its recommendations in the months ahead.”

“The City Charter calls for an independent review process, and it’s important that we follow it,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “Convening the Quadrennial Commission is a responsible step to restore compliance and ensure transparency and accountability in how compensation is reviewed.”

Under the City Charter, an independent Quadrennial Commission is required to be convened every four years, during the third year of every mayoral administration, to review public servant compensation. Because no such commission has been convened since 2015, this action addresses that lapse and reestablishes the independent review process set forth by the Charter.

The Commission will be composed of independent members with relevant expertise and will hold public meetings as required by law. A final report with recommendations will be issued in accordance with the Charter’s timeline.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION BANS HOTEL HIDDEN FEES AND UNEXPECTED CREDIT CARD HOLDS

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Commissioner Sam Levine and business, consumer and labor leaders to announce DCWP’s final rule banning hidden junk fees and unexpected credit card holds on hotel stays, ensuring transparency for consumers and saving millions of dollars overall.

In 2025, the City’s DCWP received hundreds of complaints from consumers related to hidden hotel fees or unexpected holds.

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, the Mamdani administration issued a final rule banning hotels across the city and country from charging consumers hidden junk fees—often mislabeled as “destination fees,” “resort fees,” or “hospitality service fees”—as well as unexpected credit card holds or deposits, that cheat consumers and hurt honest small businesses.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Commissioner Sam Levine and business, consumer and labor leaders to announce DCWP’s final rule banning junk fees on hotel stays. This rule will protect both consumers coming to New York City, and New Yorkers traveling elsewhere around the country. Some economists estimate that banning hotel junk fees will save consumers more than $46 million in 2026. The junk fee prohibitions of the final rule go into effect in New York City on February 21, 2026.

When you book a room, the price you see is often not the price you pay. Many hotels utilize “junk fees,” advertising a base room rate and only later revealing additional mandatory charges that make it harder for consumers to understand the true overall cost. Many hotels also issue unexpected credit card holds or deposits with misleading terms. In 2025, DCWP received over 300 complaints from consumers related to hidden hotel fees or unexpected holds.

To address this problem, DCWP proposed a rule modeled on a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rule that makes it a deceptive trade practice under the City’s Consumer Protection Law to offer, display or advertise a price for a hotel without clearly and conspicuously disclosing the total price of the stay, including all mandatory fees. The new rule goes a step further than the FTC’s rule requiring transparency on mandatory credit card holds or deposits taken as well.

Today’s announcement builds on the work the Mamdani Administration is doing to hold companies accountable and protect New Yorkers from deceptive practices, including issuing two Executive Orders that crack down on citywide junk fees and subscription traps, and creating a Citywide Junk Fee Task Force to target predatory companies.

Hotels in New York City are also required to comply with other key consumer and worker protections, including the Hotel Service Disruption Act, which requires that consumers be notified of changes to service during their stay, and the Safe Hotels Act, which prohibits illegal subcontracting at hotels. Together these laws ensure that the city’s hotel industry is transparent with its consumers and compliant with nation-leading workers’ rights requirements.

“Whether you’re visiting the five boroughs for the World Cup or leaving our city for a well-deserved vacation, you deserve to know how much a hotel costs up front. This new rule will ensure that New Yorkers and visitors alike are not stuck paying hidden hotel fees, and will instead save millions of dollars each year,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “In just three weeks, our administration has made it clear that deceptive business practices do not have a home here—and that City Hall will always fight for New Yorkers to know exactly what they’re paying for.”

“This final rule delivers on affordability—for New Yorkers traveling across the country to see the World Cup, and visitors who want to experience our incredible city,” said DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine. “DCWP will use its full enforcement authority to ensure hotels comply with the laws and rules of our city and we will be vigilant to ensure consumers have transparency in their transactions and that workers’ rights are respected.”

Mayor Zohran Mamdani Statement on Governor Hochul’s Budget Proposal

New York, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani issued the following statement in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s newly released budget proposal:

“Governor Hochul’s budget makes meaningful investments that move us closer to an affordable and livable New York—especially through critical advancements in early childhood education. When we invest in our youngest New Yorkers, we give families a real chance to stay in our city, raise their children here, and build a stable future.

Thanks to the Governor’s fiscal stewardship and the strength of New York City’s tax base, the State is on solid financial footing. The City, however, is not—and that is the direct result of Eric Adams’ gross fiscal mismanagement. Years of short-term gimmicks with long-term consequences have left behind a significant budget gap, putting our city on an unsustainable path.

We will not continue the pattern of sweeping problems under the rug. In their latest reports, the City and State Comptrollers identified a $12 – $13 billion budget gap over two years. The findings of the City and State Comptrollers are in line with our assessment, so far. My administration will not repeat the mistakes of the past. We will restore long-term stability.

And let me be clear: we reject austerity politics. Working New Yorkers should not have to pay the price for the failures of the Adams administration. The excellence in public services our city depends on should not be sacrificed. It is time to ask New York City’s wealthiest and large corporations to pay their fair share, while also working toward a fiscal relationship with the State that better reflects New York City’s status as the economic engine of the state.

We are just beginning our full review of the Governor’s budget and will have more to say as we dig into the details. Our guiding principle, however, is clear: fiscal responsibility must go hand in hand with protecting working families, preserving our social safety net, and building a city that works for the many—not just the few.

We are thankful for the partnership we are already building with leaders in Albany, and look forward to working alongside the Governor, legislative leaders, and our legislative partners in Albany as we move forward in the budget process together.”

Mayor Mamdani Restarts Just Home Supportive Housing Initiative, Reversing Prior Administration’s Efforts to Block Project

The 100% affordable housing project will create 83 new homes in an underutilized building on the campus of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

Just Home is supported through the City’s Justice-Involved Supportive Housing initiative, an evidence-driven model of permanent, supportive housing

Initiative underscores administration’s commitment to expanding housing access and promoting long-term stability

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced his administration’s commitment to advancing Just Home, a first-of-its-kind housing initiative to serve formerly incarcerated New Yorkers with complex medical needs on the campus of NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi. The 100% affordable housing project will create 83 new apartments in an underutilized building on the Bronx hospital grounds. In addition, later this week, the NYC Health Department will update a Request for Proposals as part of the Justice-Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) initiative to put the city on a path to more than 350 supportive homes for justice-involved New Yorkers in the coming years. The previous mayoral administration stated that it would not move forward with Just Home, despite approval by the Health + Hospitals Board of Directors in 2024 and by the New York City Council in September 2025. The Fortune Society will serve as the developer and service provider for Just Home.

“On Martin Luther King Jr. Day, we honor a leader who named poverty as a moral crisis. Today, I’m proud to commit my administration to Just Home—an initiative that brings housing, health care, and justice together. By housing New Yorkers who are too often left on the streets or shuttled through emergency rooms, Just Home meets our housing crisis with dignity,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

Just Home will expand multiple citywide initiatives that advance the Mayor’s goals, including the city’s Justice-Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) program and NYC Health + Hospitals’ Housing for Health—and his commitment to use public sites to create housing for New Yorkers in need. Just Home has received $1 million in annual funding through JISH, an evidence-driven permanent, supportive housing model that results in fewer returns to jail, less shelter use, and improved health outcomes. In accordance with the JISH model, supportive housing tenants at Just Home will receive intensive, wraparound services from Fortune Society’s licensed clinical social workers and dedicated peer workers.

Demonstrating the city’s further commitment to housing for justice-involved New Yorkers, the NYC Health Department is releasing later this week an updated Request for Proposals for the program, which will create up to 190 new homes for justice-involved New Yorkers. Between Just Home, and the new Request for Proposals, the Mamdani administration is moving to bring the total number of supportive housing units for justice-involved New Yorkers to over 350 homes.

Just Home is also part of NYC Health + Hospitals’ Housing for Health initiative, which helps homeless patients and their families find housing. In 2025, Housing for Health provided services to nearly 1,600 homeless New Yorkers, including placing over 600 individuals in housing and supporting nearly 430 patients with medical respite. At Just Home, Fortune’s on-site case managers will work with Jacobi’s medical providers to coordinate outpatient care just steps away from their home.

“Just Home is not just 83 apartments—it is a symbol of our commitment to meeting the housing needs of every New Yorker. Supportive housing can be a lifeline for many of our neighbors, and is key to building a healthier, more affordable city,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “We’ll continue working to deliver affordable and supportive housing across the five boroughs and ensure that every neighborhood is a part of our housing growth.”

“Housing is health care, and this project will make a real difference in the lives of New Yorkers in need of care,” said Dr. Helen Arteaga, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “People living in permanent housing have better health outcomes and live longer than those living unstably. When we invest in affordable and supportive housing, we invest in a healthier city and better outcomes for all New Yorkers.”

“For our patients experiencing homelessness, so many of the problems we see in primary care can be addressed with a simple prescription: housing,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “NYC Health + Hospitals has used our land to create affordable and supportive housing for hundreds of New Yorkers through our Housing for Health initiative, and we are eager to add the Just Home project to that list. Our patients leaving Rikers need our support to rebuild their lives. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani for his commitment to this project and the people who will one day call it home.”

“Advancing Just Home reaffirms this administration’s commitment to the principle that decent, quality housing is a basic human right, regardless of past history. Moreover, creating stable and affordable homes for individuals who are suffering through severe illness as they transition back into the community is both fiscally responsible and morally imperative,” said Dina Levy, incoming NYC Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner.

“I applaud Mayor Mamdani’s actions to support the success and health of previously incarcerated New Yorkers,” said NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse. “We must work to end the disproportionate incarceration of people of color in New York City. In parallel, New Yorkers with a history of incarceration must get access to stable housing. Housing first is a tremendously effective health and justice intervention. The NYC Health Department is proud to contribute to that commitment through a Request for Proposals to build up to 190 additional supportive homes for New Yorkers with a history of incarceration. Housing is a human right. Our newly published research demonstrates that people impacted by incarceration are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, difficulty functioning, and social isolation—all of which are addressed by supportive housing. Within our Justice Involved Supportive Housing program, 87% of supportive housing residents with a history of incarceration have no arrests on their record while living in supportive housing.”

“From our earliest days providing care in our city’s jails, we at Correctional Health Services recognized the critical need for stable and supportive housing, close to medical care, that would allow some of our most clinically vulnerable patients to leave Rikers and return to a safe and dignified life in the community,” said Senior Vice President for NYC Health + Hospitals/Correctional Health Services Dr. Patsy Yang. “Dr. Mitchell Katz has been an unflinching supporter of this ground-breaking initiative from his first day at Health + Hospitals, and we could not have even imagined a stronger, more closely aligned partner in this endeavor than The Fortune Society. Finally, and at long last, we would not be here today without the vision and conviction of Mayor Mamdani and his Administration that this project—which will offer not simply housing but a home and a fresh start for some of our most traditionally marginalized neighbors—is the just and right thing to do.”

“Housing for Health has seen firsthand that our patients living in quality safe housing are healthier and happier. Leveraging our public land assets is a perfect opportunity to make this a reality,” said Leora Jontef, Senior Assistant Vice President Housing and Real Estate, NYC Health + Hospitals. “Supportive housing developed and operated by experienced organizations like the Fortune Society, combined with connections to nearby health care at our facilities, are an ideal combination to support our most vulnerable patients.”

“We are deeply grateful that the new mayoral administration is showing its strong support for the Just Home project at Jacobi Hospital. The City Council’s overwhelming approval late last year was a crucial step toward a more compassionate and equitable city, and this administration’s commitment to follow through ensures we can move forward,” said Stanley Richards, President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “We offer our sincerest thanks to Mayor Mamdani, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) for their partnership and support. When it opens, this innovative development will address a significant concern by providing supportive, evidence-based solutions for New Yorkers with complex medical needs who would otherwise be homeless. The Just Home project underscores our collective commitment to advancing health equity and creating positive, transformative change for our city.”

Once Just Home opens, potential tenants—with such complex medical needs as cancer, cirrhosis, and congestive heart failure—will first be identified by Correctional Health Services, a division of NYC Health + Hospitals that directly provides high-quality health care to people in the City’s custody. The Fortune Society will then conduct a rigorous tenant screening process, drawing upon its decades of experience providing high-quality social services and housing in making its determinations. Individuals assessed as posing a current risk of violence and individuals assessed as inappropriate for the independent, permanent housing model and level of services provided will not be accepted. All tenants will have had their open criminal cases adjudicated by the court and will have been released to the community.

New research into the impacts of incarceration published by the NYC Health Department underscores why there is a need for more supportive housing for justice-involved New Yorkers. Among the city’s findings are that people impacted by incarceration are more likely to experience serious psychological distress, difficulty functioning, and social isolation than those who have never been incarcerated. Supportive housing tailored to this population’s needs has also been found to help New Yorkers maintain stable housing while avoiding a return to incarceration: half of JISH residents have lived in their housing for 6-10 years, and 87 percent of residents had no arrests in the same timeframe, according to data from Fiscal Year 2025.

The advancement of Just Home and the JISH Request for Proposals aligns with Mayor Mamdani’s pledge to make New York a healthier, safe, and more affordable city for all New Yorkers. In December, Mamdani appointed former NYC Health + Hospitals/Elmhurst CEO Helen Arteaga as his Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services, with a mandate to strengthen and expand access to care and social services across racial and socioeconomic lines. On his first day in office, the Mayor signed three executive orders to address the city’s affordable housing crisis, and his Administration will work with the Council to prioritize investments in citywide mental health programs and crisis response.

Mamdani Administration Announces New Youth Clinics at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens

Supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the new NYC Health + Hospitals clinics will provide excellent behavioral and primary care as youth age out of pediatric care

Nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after they turn 21 — this initiative will keep young New Yorkers engaged and supported

New York, NY – TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined NYC Health + Hospitals and MetroPlusHealth to announce the launch of two new clinics to provide comprehensive healthcare to young people ages 16 to 25 years old at NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull and Queens.

Supported by $4 million from MetroPlusHealth, the clinics will aim to keep youth engaged in care as they age out of pediatric care, reduce emergency room visits, and improve long-term health outcomes. According to MetroPlusHealth claims data, nearly 90% of youth stop seeing their mental health provider after they turn 21. The new Elevate You clinics will provide behavioral health care, primary care, reproductive care, vocational support, and social support services from a consistent care team. The program’s multidisciplinary treatment team includes a social worker, psychiatrist, nurse, youth peer, and family advocate.

“If we want young New Yorkers to chase their dreams here, we have to make it clear that their struggles are not just their own,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Access to consistent, high-quality health care is not optional—it’s essential, and our City is showing that. These new youth clinics will support young people as they move into adulthood and are just one example of a city government that is on their side, every step of the way.”

“I’m so excited to be here building a healthier city, and a healthier generation, with our amazing partners. This announcement gets to the heart of the work of our administration and the work that the mayor is committed to — treating every New Yorker, even our young ones, with dignity and the respect that they deserve, ensuring that we are addressing every issue at the root cause,” said Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services Helen Arteaga.

“The transition to adulthood can be challenging for anyone, and we found our teenage patients disconnecting from behavioral health services as they aged out of pediatric care,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “Today’s two new Elevate You clinics are bright, comfortable spaces for our teenage patients to get the care they need and build the skills to enter the next stage of their lives. We are deeply grateful to our colleagues at MetroPlusHealth for their vision and support for this initiative.”

“Addressing the youth mental health crisis includes making sure that our young people stay connected to behavioral health care and supportive resources as they enter adulthood,” said Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief of Behavioral Health Services at NYC Health + Hospitals. “This is why we are dedicated to developing innovative programs like the Elevate You clinics that provide essential mental health treatment to young people as they navigate the transition to adulthood. This support is especially crucial for vulnerable populations, such as those aging out of foster care, by addressing common challenges like housing instability, employment difficulties, and mental health concerns.”

“We are proud of the tremendous growth of our Behavioral Health Service over the last few years, and we are excited to take the next step in addressing the needs of the communities we serve in North Brooklyn,” said Dr. Ross MacDonald, Chief Medical Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “Transitional age youth are at a critical point in their lives, and we’re dedicated to building healing relationships with that change lives for the better.”

“MetroPlusHealth is committed to investing in the future of our city’s youth—building continuity, fostering safety, and inspiring hope during one of the most pivotal stages of human development,” said Talya Schwartz, MD, President and Chief Executive Officer of MetroPlusHealth. “As a mother, pediatrician, and leader, I am honored to be part of an initiative that stands beside our children as they grow. This is about more than care—it’s about connection, stability, and the belief that every young person deserves the opportunity to thrive.”

“We’re incredibly proud to champion these spaces where young people feel safe, respected, and supported—because that’s what they need to stay in care,” said Karen Lenard, Vice President of Behavioral Health at MetroPlusHealth. “Too often, teens lose the support to access to mental health services just as life starts to get more complicated. This program helps them stay connected to the same care team, in a place that feels familiar, while they navigate school, relationships, work, and growing up.”

“The Elevate You clinics are designed to break the cycle of disengagement in mental health services for our youth in Southeast Queens,” said Neil J. Moore, MBA, MPA, FACHE, Chief Executive Officer at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “By focusing on comprehensive care that includes behavioral health, vocational support, and life skills training, we are addressing the unique challenges faced by young people in this community. Our commitment is to empower these youth to make informed decisions and build a healthier future as they transition into adulthood.”

“This program is a game-changer for the youth we serve,” said Dr. John Navas, Chief of Psychiatry at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens. “The Elevate You clinics provide not only mental health support but also a safe environment where young individuals can gain essential life skills and support networks. In neighborhoods like Southeast Queens, where access to resources is often limited, our goal is to help these young people thrive by ensuring they have the tools, guidance, and care they need to make positive choices that impact their futures.”

“Elevate You is redefining behavioral health by removing age-based hurdles to care,” said Eva Sanders, LCSW, CCM, Associate Executive Director, Behavioral Health, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “With this program, NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull patients are supported with services that honor the real-life social and emotional complexities 16–24-year-olds experience as they grow into adulthood.”

“On behalf of the NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull Behavioral Health Ambulatory Service, I am very excited with the opening of the Elevate You program,” said Maria Chona P. San Gabriel, MD, DFAPA, Deputy Chief of Psychiatry (Behavioral Health Ambulatory Services), NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull. “This program bridges the gap between youth-focused care and adulthood, empowering and supporting young individuals in optimizing their skills and potentials for independent adult life. It showcases our team’s commitment and passion in providing excellent clinical care and service to our community.”

Key components of the Elevate You clinics include:

Whole Health Support: Services include coordination for mental health, physical health, reproductive care, and preventive services tailored to youth.

Consistent Care Teams: Teens begin working with a dedicated team at age 16 that stays with them through age 25.

Life Skills and Goals: Vocational and educational resources to help youth pursue college, careers, and independence.

Youth-Friendly Clinics: Spaces have been updated to create welcoming environments with hangout areas and meeting rooms designed especially for young adults.

Today’s announcement builds on several programs to address youth mental health, including 16 School-Based Mental Health Clinics which offer on-site clinical treatment directly in school buildings and the Mental Health Continuum Program which connects students from 50 New York City public schools to timely mental health care.

The Elevate You clinics also align with New York City’s 2024 State of Mental Health report, which called for urgent reforms in youth transitions and highlighted deep inequities in care access.

NYC Health + Hospitals serves approximately 8,000 children and adolescents each year through inpatient and outpatient behavioral health services at its hospitals, community mental health clinics, and innovative mental health programs in schools and in the community. NYC Health + Hospitals continues to enhance its mental health services for children and adolescents, addressing critical gaps in crisis intervention, outpatient care, and school-based support.

NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health in New York City. The system provides over 60% of behavioral health services citywide serving nearly 80,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.

Mayor Mamdani Signs Executive Order to Inventory and Cut Fines and Fees for Small Businesses

Executive Order 11 directs City agencies to identify ways to cut costs and simplify regulations for small businesses

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order 11 to create an inventory and identify ways to cut the fees and fines that small businesses pay in New York City. Small businesses face a complex web of over 6,000 regulations and rules, which make it harder to start or grow a business in New York, and drives up costs for businesses and customers alike. The executive order directs the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, Julie Su, and seven agencies to create a comprehensive inventory of fees and civil penalties, identify ways to reduce and streamline them, and advance policy reforms to do so in the coming months. Mayor Mamdani signed the executive order on the counter of a locally-owned small business in Cypress Hills, Brooklyn.

“You cannot tell the story of New York without our small businesses. Yet, our City has long made it too hard for these same businesses to open their doors, and to keep them open. With today’s Executive Order, we will bring that chapter to an end, instead delivering relief to businesses from the fines and fees that drive up their costs,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani.

“The small business owners who give this city its identity and vibrancy have too rarely been considered in the backrooms where decisions are made. Not on our watch,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Mayor Mamdani was elected to City Hall not solely because his campaign offered solutions for the countless New Yorkers tired of rents being raised, childcare costs soaring year after year, and public transit failing those who rely upon it. He was elected because he spoke to the small business owners of this city as partners and because he knows that when New Yorkers feel a challenge, small business owners often feel it first. For us, uplifting small businesses is a core responsibility of city government.”

Under Executive Order 11, seven City agencies, under the direction of the Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice, must create a full inventory of the fees and civil penalties that they collect and identify whether they can be reduced within 45 days. Within 90 days, these agencies must determine which fees are unnecessary and can be eliminated through a rulemaking process. Within 180 days, city officials will identify even further fees and penalties that require legislative action to be reduced. Lastly, within the next year, city agencies will create a report on the feasibility of an amnesty and relief program for business owners.

MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION CELEBRATES LAUNCH OF 3-K & PRE-K APPLICATIONS

In new video, Mayor Mamdani encourages families to apply to 3-K and Pre-K

Applications open until February 27, 2026

Visit myschools.nyc to apply or call 718-935-2009

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels celebrated the opening day of 3-K and Pre-K applications with a visit to a 3-K and Pre-K child care center in Cypress Hills. The application is open from today until February 27, 2026 and parents of kids turning 3 or 4 years old this year are encouraged to apply at myschools.nyc. Families can also receive support by calling 718-935-2009 or by visiting one of the City’s 13 Family Welcome Centers across the 5 boroughs for support with their applications. Applications are available in 13 languages online, with interpretation services available in over 200 languages via phone (718-935-2009) or at a Family Welcome Center.

Mayor Mamdani released a new video encouraging New Yorkers to apply for 3-K and Pre-K, marking the start of an aggressive outreach by the new Administration effort to help families apply and enroll. This video will be featured on TaxiTV and LinkNYC.

“New Yorkers have until February 27 to apply for 3-K and Pre-K, and we’re using every tool at our disposal to get the word out,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Whether on TaxiTV, LinkNYC, or out in your neighborhood, my Administration will be working tirelessly to ensure that New Yorkers know their government is here to serve them. So if you have a child turning 3 or 4 this year, you can apply by visiting myschools.nyc, calling 718-935-2009, or visiting one of our 13 Family Welcome Centers.”

“Every child, regardless of background or circumstance, deserves access to a high-quality early childhood education, and no parent should have to make tough decisions to ensure that their kids are set up for lifelong success,” said Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “I am proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani to get the word out about open 3-K and pre-K applications, while creating systems and programs to support continuity of care for our families.”

Applications are not accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, so families should feel free to apply anytime between today and February 27. Any family that applies by the deadline will receive an offer. The City’s Family Welcome Centers are open Monday through Thursday, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, and on Fridays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Families can call 718-935-2009 from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

This application cycle comes on the heels of Mayor Mamdani and Governor Hochul’s historic announcement delivering 2-Care to New York City. As envisioned by the Mamdani Administration, the first year of 2-Care will focus on high-need areas selected by New York City and expand to serve all interested families across the city by year 4. The Mayor will also be partnering with the Governor to strengthen and fix the city’s 3-K program and ensure it achieves its promise of universal access.

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About New York City Public Schools: New York City Public Schools is a testament to the history and impact of urban education in the United States. With over 1,600 schools spread across five boroughs, the system is made up of approximately 1 million students and staff, making it the largest public school system in the nation. These schools employ more than 75,000 teachers who deliver a rich tapestry of educational experiences to a student body that reflects the city’s vibrant and diverse cultural heritage. This network of educational institutions represents not just the scale of New York City’s commitment to public education, but also its dedication to fostering a learning environment that is as dynamic and diverse as the city itself.

NEW ERA OF ACCOUNTABILITY: MAMDANI ADMINISTRATION’S DCWP SUES MOTOCLICK AND CEO, WARNS DELIVERY APPS TO COMPLY WITH WORKER PROTECTIONS

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Commissioner Sam Levine to announce worker protection enforcement blitz alongside Deputy Mayor Julie Su, Worker’s Justice Project, and Los Deliveristas Unidos.

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY a case was filed on behalf of the City of New York in New York State Supreme Court against predatory delivery app Motoclick for egregiously violating the city’s Delivery Worker Laws. Motoclick, which operates a restaurant-facing delivery service, blatantly ignored the Minimum Pay Rate and stole directly from workers’ paychecks, with shocking tactics that include charging workers a $10 fee for canceled orders and deducting the entire cost of refunded orders from workers’ pay – sometimes claiming that workers owed the company money. DCWP estimates that Motoclick and CEO Juan Pablo Salinas Salek owe workers millions in stolen pay and damages and seeks to shut the company down completely.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su, DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine, and advocates from Worker’s Justice Project and Los Deliveristas Unidos to announce the lawsuit.

Commissioner Levine also today launched a compliance blitz, sending notices to Instacart, DoorDash, Grubhub, Uber, and others warning them to adhere to new Delivery Worker Laws taking effect on January 26. This includes Local Laws 107 and 108, related to tipping protections; Local Law 113 related to delivery worker pay transparency; and Local Laws 123 and 124, related to expanding the minimum pay rate to more delivery workers, timely and weekly payment rights, and improved bathroom access for delivery workers. As a report DCWP released earlier this week revealed, DoorDash and Uber engineered design tricks in their interfaces to lower workers’ tip earnings by $550 million.

These actions come as Commissioner Levine ramps up efforts to crack down on predatory delivery apps, reverse worker losses through aggressive enforcement of the Delivery Worker Laws, and hold companies and individuals accountable for ripping off the hardworking, majority immigrant deliveristas who keep New Yorkers fed.

“Deliveristas make millions of New Yorkers’ day-to-day lives easier only for their own to be difficult. Today, however, marks the end of a chapter of thankless exploitation,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “Our Department of Consumer and Worker Protection is already cracking down on everything from baseless violations of the law to deceptive tricks that hurt our delivery workers — and showing what a government that puts working people first can accomplish every day.”

“We know affordability is not just about the cost of goods — it’s about the dignity of work. That’s why we have to make sure our deliveristas have safety on the job, a minimum wage for their work, and tips that go directly to their pockets,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Today’s lawsuit against Motoclick is not just an action against one company, it’s a warning to every app-based company from this Administration. You cannot treat workers like they are expendable and get away with it. We will seek full back pay and damages. We will seek full accountability.”

“Motoclick and its CEO tricked New Yorkers into working for their platform with false promises and then stole their tips and earnings – sometimes even driving workers into debt.,” said DCWP Commissioner Samuel A.A. Levine. “We are seeking to shutdown this company and other predatory apps should be on notice. If you scam your workers, we will hold you and your executives accountable.”

“We are so proud to welcome Commissioner Levine to our worker center at the very start of his tenure and inspired by his decision to stand with the 80,000 app delivery workers who are essential to New York City’s economy and critical partners in enforcing the laws that protect all workers. This moment marks a new era of co-enforcement in the app delivery industry: rooted in worker leadership, public accountability, and real consequences for reckless app companies. We are grateful to work in unity with Commissioner Levine and the entire Department of Consumer and Worker Protection team to make clear that workers and the city are watching – and that the law will be enforced,” said Ligia Guallpa, Executive Director of Worker’s Justice Project and Co-Founder of the Los Deliveristas Unidos campaign

The NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) is the nation’s leading municipal enforcement agency charged with delivering New Yorkers economic justice and an affordable city. DCWP leverages its authority to deliver real economic relief to New Yorkers and protect them from predatory, deceptive, and unfair practices that violate their consumer and workers’ rights. This includes pioneering cutting-edge protections, such as the City’s Consumer Protection Law, Protected Time Off Law, Fair Workweek Law, and Delivery Worker Laws, including the Minimum Pay Rate for delivery workers. While licensing more than 45,000 businesses in over 45 industries, we also ensure fair competition and a level playing field for responsible small businesses that are integral to New York City’s vibrant communities. DCWP also provides essential services, such as free tax preparation and financial counseling to ensure New Yorkers keep more of what they earn and can plan for their futures. Across our mission, DCWP is committed to making New York City a fairer, more affordable place to live. For more information about DCWP and its work, call 311 or visit DCWP at nyc.gov/dcwp, sign up for its newsletter, or follow on its social media sites, X, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani Appoints Christine Clarke to Lead the New York City Commission on Human Rights

Mamdani Administration continues efforts to use law as a tool to fight the affordability crisis

Clarke has fought — and won — legal battles for low-income New Yorkers, securing language access rights for immigrant victims of domestic violence and life-saving housing subsidies for elderly and disabled New Yorkers

As Chair, Clarke will advance the Mayor’s agenda of fiercely defending the rights of working New Yorkers

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed Christine Clarke as Chair of the Commission on Human Rights. As Chair, Clarke will tirelessly defend the rights of every single New Yorker, enforcing the NYC Human Rights Law, one of the most comprehensive civil rights laws in the nation, and will promote public education so every New Yorker knows their rights. Clarke will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

Christine Clarke is the Chief of Litigation and Advocacy and member of the executive team of the largest civil legal services organization in the country, Legal Services NYC — offering a vast array of legal services benefiting over 100,000 low-income New Yorkers each year. Clarke has fought, and won, countless legal battles for low-income New Yorkers, including helping secure access to life-saving housing subsidies for elderly and disabled New Yorkers after their head of household has died, access to residential water services for elderly or disabled low-income homeowners, and language access for NYCHA tenants.

She has also represented countless individual New Yorkers who were victims of workplace discrimination and harassment, survivors of domestic violence who faced housing and employment discrimination, people with disabilities who needed workplace and housing accommodations, and so much more.

“I am proud to announce Christine Clarke as our Chair and Commissioner of the Commission on Human Rights. She has spent her career fighting for working people and using the law as a powerful tool to confront inequity. In the midst of an affordability crisis, Christine will ensure the Commission enforces the law to protect New Yorkers and helps build the city we deserve,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

“It is a privilege and an honor to join this administration — and to fight alongside the Mayor for a vision of a fairer, more equitable and affordable New York City,” said Christine Clarke, Chair of Commission on Human Rights. “I’ve spent my entire career fighting for working New Yorkers — because no matter where you were born, what language you speak, what religion you practice, whether you have a disability, your race or ethnicity — if you live here, you’re a New Yorker. I promise that as the next Chair of the NYC Commission on Human Rights, I will work with you and fight for you to help make New York City a place where we can all survive and thrive.”

“There is much more work to be done to make our city more equitable, just, and affordable, and I know with Christine Clarke as Chair of the Commission on Human Rights, New Yorkers have a dedicated ally who will fight for that vision of New York City. Economic justice includes the ability to participate fully in the life of the city whether you’re looking for a job or a place to live and I look forward to working with Christine to confront inequality and protect working New Yorkers,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

“Christine has the brilliance and instincts to be a superb litigator and also the empathy and sensitivity to be a wonderful colleague and manager. Throughout her career, service to others has been her guiding principle, and I am thrilled to see her in this new role,” said Mai Ratakonda, Program Director, Legal, States United Democracy Center.

“While I am certainly very sorry to see her go, I can’t think of anyone better to lead the City’s civil rights enforcement agency at a time when civil rights are under attack from virtually every direction,” said Shervon Small, Executive Director, Legal Services NYC. “Christine’s leadership as Chief of Litigation has been formative, leaving the organization in a strong position after a difficult federal transition, and shaping our work — and our readiness to meet this moment — in ways that cannot be overstated. She has been deeply passionate about her work here and will bring that same passion and dedication to her new role, continuing to fight for our clients every single day. The Commission on Human Rights will be exceptionally well served by her leadership, perspective, and experience, and I look forward to our continued collaboration.”

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Christine Clarke is the Chief of Litigation and Advocacy and member of the executive team of the largest civil legal services organization in the country, Legal Services NYC — offering a vast array of legal services benefitting over 100,000 low-income New Yorkers each year. Clarke has fought, and won, countless legal battles for low-income New Yorkers, including helping secure language access rights for immigrant victims of domestic violence in encounters with the NYPD, access to life-saving housing subsidies for elderly and disabled New Yorkers after their head of household has died, access toyhh residential water services for elderly or disabled low-income homeowners, and language access for NYCHA tenants.

Clarke’s passion for fighting oppression and injustice has been a driving force throughout her career. As the Director of LSNYC’s Civil Rights Justice Initiative until 2018, she worked on a range of civil rights matters including multiple lawsuits against the New York Police Department, NYC’s Department of Finance and NYC Housing Authority, which resulted in critical changes to policies and procedures, including better language access for immigrant and LEP New Yorkers.

Clarke also recently served as a staff attorney at Planned Parenthood Federation of America where she challenged abortion bans in multiple states, helping keep health center doors open as long as possible to ensure people had a chance to make their own decisions about their lives and futures.

She is a graduate of Oberlin College and Yale Law School, where she was a student editor of the Human Rights and Development Law Journal and a member of the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES NEW COMMITMENT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO PUBLIC BATHROOMS

Mamdani Administration continues fast-paced, focused efforts to improve lives of working New Yorkers

New commitment of $4 million to bring modular, high-quality public bathrooms to NYC

Officials announce new public bathroom coming to West Harlem this year

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the city is launching a new program to expand access to public bathrooms across the city, committing $4 million to a Request for Proposals (RFP) for high-quality modular public restrooms. The New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) will release the RFP within the administration’s first 100 days in office, seeking bids to install public bathrooms at a lower cost and on a faster timeline than existing public bathroom installations. Similar projects in Los Angeles, Washington, D.C., Portland, and other cities have delivered restrooms within months at a fraction of the cost as New York’s prior public restroom projects, and thanks to this program, New Yorkers will be able to benefit from more widely available public restrooms too.

Mayor Mamdani announced the new program on Saturday at 12th Avenue and St. Clair Place in West Harlem, where he and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin signed the final approvals for New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) to install a new public bathroom on the site later this year.

“Everyone knows the feeling of needing a bathroom and not being able to find one. With this new commitment to public toilets, we’re ensuring New Yorkers can travel through our city with a little less anxiety — starting today at 12th and St. Clair,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Our administration is proving that the government can get right to work to make progress for working people — and perform its essential civic ‘duty.’”

“Making our streets the envy of the world means creating welcoming public spaces where New Yorkers are safe, can get where they’re going easily and with dignity, and feel cared for — yet today in New York it can feel impossible to find a public bathroom for our most basic needs,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “Public restrooms improve the quality of life for everyone, especially our seniors, parents with young children, delivery workers, people with disabilities, and so many more.”

“In the biggest city in the country, access to public bathrooms is basic infrastructure, not a luxury. When New Yorkers can’t find a restroom, it affects how they use our streets, parks, and public spaces, and ultimately whether they feel welcome in their own city,” said Speaker Julie Menin. “The City Council has been clear that this is a quality-of-life issue we can’t ignore, which is why we passed legislation to double the number of public restrooms by 2035. By working in partnership with Mayor Mamdani, we’re turning that commitment into action, and today’s announcement is an important step toward making it real for every New Yorker.”

“Public toilets are a perfect example of how simple investments can make a real difference in how people experience our city. They allow New Yorkers to spend more time enjoying their neighborhoods, whether that means walking along the river, spending an afternoon in our parks, or supporting local businesses, without worrying about basic necessities,” said Council Member Shaun Abreu. “I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani for supporting our office’s request to site an automatic public toilet in West Harlem at a strategic location that will improve riverfront access and make the neighborhood more welcoming and accessible, as well as to Speaker Menin for her strong support for projects like these across the city. When we approach our streetscapes with creativity and an open mind, we can make practical improvements that meaningfully enhance daily life for New Yorkers.”

This commitment is a part of the Mamdani administration’s efforts to improve the public realm and to ensure New Yorkers can enjoy and travel around their city safely and with dignity. The new public restroom at 12th Avenue and St. Clair Place will be free to use, fully accessible, self-cleaning, and contain a water bottle filler.

There are currently nearly 1,000 public restrooms in New York City, roughly 70% of which are in parks. This program will significantly grow the number of public restrooms elsewhere in the city, including public plazas – exponentially increasing the number of new restrooms that the city adds each year. City agencies including the New York City Department of Transportation will determine where the additional new facilities will be located.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani Inaugural Address

See below Mayor Mamdani’s Inaugural Address as prepared:

My fellow New Yorkers—today begins a new era.

I stand before you moved by the privilege of taking this sacred oath, humbled by the faith that you have placed in me, and honored to serve as either your 111th or 112th Mayor of New York City. But I do not stand alone.

I stand alongside you, the tens of thousands gathered here in Lower Manhattan, warmed against the January chill by the resurgent flame of hope.

I stand alongside countless more New Yorkers watching from cramped kitchens in Flushing and barbershops in East New York, from cell phones propped against the dashboards of parked taxi cabs at LaGuardia, from hospitals in Mott Haven and libraries in El Barrio that have too long known only neglect.

I stand alongside construction workers in steel-toed boots and halal cart vendors whose knees ache from working all day.

I stand alongside neighbors who carry a plate of food to the elderly couple down the hall, those in a rush who still lift strangers’ strollers up subway stairs, and every person who makes the choice day after day, even when it feels impossible, to call our city home.

I stand alongside over one million New Yorkers who voted for this day nearly two months ago—and I stand just as resolutely alongside those who did not. I know there are some who view this administration with distrust or disdain, or who see politics as permanently broken. And while only action can change minds, I promise you this: if you are a New Yorker, I am your Mayor. Regardless of whether we agree, I will protect you, celebrate with you, mourn alongside you, and never, not for a second, hide from you.

I thank the labor and movement leaders here today, the activists and elected officials who will return to fighting for New Yorkers the second this ceremony concludes, and the performers who have gifted us with their talent.

Thank you to Governor Hochul for joining us. And thank you to Mayor Adams—Dorothy’s son, a son of Brownsville who rose from washing dishes to the highest position in our city—for being here as well. He and I have had our share of disagreements, but I will always be touched that he chose me as the Mayoral candidate that he would most want to be trapped with on an elevator.

Thank you to the two titans who, as an Assemblymember, I’ve had the privilege of being represented by in Congress—Nydia Velázquez and our incredible opening speaker Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. You have paved the way for this moment.

Thank you to the man whose leadership I seek most to emulate, who I am so grateful to be sworn in by today—Senator Bernie Sanders.

Thank you to my teams—from the Assembly, to the campaign, to the transition and now, the team I am so excited to lead from City Hall.

Thank you to my parents, Mama and Baba, for raising me, for teaching me how to be in this world, and for having brought me to this city. Thank you to my family—from Kampala to Delhi. And thank you to my wife Rama for being my best friend, and for always showing me the beauty in everyday things.

Most of all—thank you to the people of New York.

A moment like this comes rarely. Seldom do we hold such an opportunity to transform and reinvent. Rarer still is it the people themselves whose hands are the ones upon the levers of change.

And yet we know that too often in our past, moments of great possibility have been promptly surrendered to small imagination and smaller ambition. What was promised was never pursued, what could have changed remained the same. For the New Yorkers most eager to see our city remade, the weight has only grown heavier, the wait has only grown longer.

In writing this address, I have been told that this is the occasion to reset expectations, that I should use this opportunity to encourage the people of New York to ask for little and expect even less. I will do no such thing. The only expectation I seek to reset is that of small expectations.

Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.

To those who insist that the era of big government is over, hear me when I say this—no longer will City Hall hesitate to use its power to improve New Yorkers’ lives.

For too long, we have turned to the private sector for greatness, while accepting mediocrity from those who serve the public. I cannot blame anyone who has come to question the role of government, whose faith in democracy has been eroded by decades of apathy. We will restore that trust by walking a different path—one where government is no longer solely the final recourse for those struggling, one where excellence is no longer the exception.

We expect greatness from the cooks wielding a thousand spices, from those who stride out onto Broadway stages, from our starting point guard at Madison Square Garden. Let us demand the same from those who work in government. In a city where the mere names of our streets are associated with the innovation of the industries that call them home, we will make the words ‘City Hall’ synonymous with both resolve and results.

As we embark upon this work, let us advance a new answer to the question asked of every generation: Who does New York belong to?

For much of our history, the response from City Hall has been simple: it belongs only to the wealthy and well-connected, those who never strain to capture the attention of those in power.

Working people have reckoned with the consequences. Crowded classrooms and public housing developments where the elevators sit out of order; roads littered with potholes and buses that arrive half an hour late, if at all; wages that do not rise and corporations that rip off consumers and employees alike.

And still—there have been brief, fleeting moments where the equation changed.

Twelve years ago, Bill de Blasio stood where I stand now as he promised to “put an end to economic and social inequalities” that divided our city into two.

In 1990, David Dinkins swore the same oath I swore today, vowing to celebrate the “gorgeous mosaic” that is New York, where every one of us is deserving of a decent life.

And nearly six decades before him, Fiorella La Guardia took office with the goal of building a city that was “far greater and more beautiful” for the hungry and the poor.

Some of these Mayors achieved more success than others. But they were unified by a shared belief that New York could belong to more than just a privileged few. It could belong to those who operate our subways and rake our parks, those who feed us biryani and beef patties, picanha and pastrami on rye. And they knew that this belief could be made true if only government dared to work hardest for those who work hardest.

Over the years to come, my administration will resurrect that legacy. City Hall will deliver an agenda of safety, affordability, and abundance—where government looks and lives like the people it represents, never flinches in the fight against corporate greed, and refuses to cower before challenges that others have deemed too complicated.

In so doing, we will provide our own answer to that age-old question—who does New York belong to? Well, my friends, we can look to Madiba and the South African Freedom Charter: New York “belongs to all who live in it.”

Together, we will tell a new story of our city.

This will not be a tale of one city, governed only by the one percent. Nor will it be a tale of two cities, the rich versus the poor.

It will be a tale of 8 and a half million cities, each of them a New Yorker with hopes and fears, each a universe, each of them woven together.

The authors of this story will speak Pashto and Mandarin, Yiddish and Creole. They will pray in mosques, at shul, at church, at Gurdwaras and Mandirs and temples—and many will not pray at all.

They will be Russian Jewish immigrants in Brighton Beach, Italians in Rossville, and Irish families in Woodhaven—many of whom came here with nothing but a dream of a better life, a dream which has withered away. They will be young people in cramped Marble Hill apartments where the walls shake when the subway passes. They will be Black homeowners in St. Albans whose homes represent a physical testament to triumph over decades of lesser-paid labor and redlining. They will be Palestinian New Yorkers in Bay Ridge, who will no longer have to contend with a politics that speaks of universalism and then makes them the exception.

Few of these 8 and a half million will fit into neat and easy boxes. Some will be voters from Hillside Avenue or Fordham Road who supported President Trump a year before they voted for me, tired of being failed by their party’s establishment. The majority will not use the language that we often expect from those who wield influence. I welcome the change. For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty.

Many of these people have been betrayed by the established order. But in our administration, their needs will be met. Their hopes and dreams and interests will be reflected transparently in government. They will shape our future.

And if for too long these communities have existed as distinct from one another, we will draw this city closer together. We will replace the frigidity of rugged individualism with the warmth of collectivism. If our campaign demonstrated that the people of New York yearn for solidarity, then let this government foster it. Because no matter what you eat, what language you speak, how you pray, or where you come from—the words that most define us are the two we all share: New Yorkers.

And it will be New Yorkers who reform a long-broken property tax system. New Yorkers who will create a new Department of Community Safety that will tackle the mental health crisis and let the police focus on the job they signed up to do. New Yorkers who will take on the bad landlords who mistreat their tenants and free small business owners from the shackles of bloated bureaucracy. And I am proud to be one of those New Yorkers.

When we won the primary last June, there were many who said that these aspirations and those who held them had come out of nowhere. Yet one man’s nowhere is another man’s somewhere. This movement came out of 8 and a half million somewheres—taxi cab depots and Amazon warehouses, DSA meetings and curbside domino games. The powers that be had looked away from these places for quite some time—if they’d known about them at all—so they dismissed them as nowhere. But in our city, where every corner of these five boroughs holds power, there is no nowhere and there is no no one. There is only New York, and there are only New Yorkers.

8 and a half million New Yorkers will speak this new era into existence. It will be loud. It will be different. It will feel like the New York we love.

No matter how long you have called this city home, that love has shaped your life. I know that it has shaped mine.

This is the city where I set landspeed records on my razor scooter at the age of 12. Quickest four blocks of my life.

The city where I ate powdered donuts at halftime during AYSO soccer games and realized I probably wouldn’t be going pro, devoured too-big slices at Koronet Pizza, played cricket with my friends at Ferry Point Park, and took the 1 train to the BX10 only to still show up late to Bronx Science.

The city where I have gone on hunger strike just outside these gates, sat claustrophobic on a stalled N train just after Atlantic Avenue, and waited in quiet terror for my father to emerge from 26 Federal Plaza.

The city where I took a beautiful woman named Rama to McCarren Park on our first date and swore a different oath to become an American citizen on Pearl Street.

To live in New York, to love New York, is to know that we are the stewards of something without equal in our world. Where else can you hear the sound of the steelpan, savor the smell of sancocho, and pay $9 for coffee on the same block? Where else could a Muslim kid like me grow up eating bagels and lox every Sunday?

That love will be our guide as we pursue our agenda. Here, where the language of the New Deal was born, we will return the vast resources of this city to the workers who call it home. Not only will we make it possible for every New Yorker to afford a life they love once again—we will overcome the isolation that too many feel, and connect the people of this city to one another.

The cost of childcare will no longer discourage young adults from starting a family—because we will deliver universal childcare for the many by taxing the wealthiest few.

Those in rent-stabilized homes will no longer dread the latest rent hike—because we will freeze the rent.

Getting on a bus without worrying about a fare hike or whether you’ll be late to your destination will no longer be deemed a small miracle—because we will make buses fast and free.

These policies are not simply about the costs we make free, but the lives we fill with freedom. For too long in our city, freedom has belonged only to those who can afford to buy it. Our City Hall will change that.

These promises carried our movement to City Hall, and they will carry us from the rallying cries of a campaign to the realities of a new era in politics.

Two Sundays ago, as snow softly fell, I spent twelve hours at the Museum of the Moving Image in Astoria, listening to New Yorkers from every borough as they told me about the city that is theirs.

We discussed construction hours on the Van Wyck Expressway and EBT eligibility, affordable housing for artists and ICE raids. I spoke to a man named TJ who said that one day a few years ago, his heart broke as he realized he would never get ahead here, no matter how hard he worked. I spoke to a Pakistani Auntie named Samina, who told me that this movement had fostered something too rare: softness in people’s hearts. As she said in Urdu: logon ke dil badalgyehe.

142 New Yorkers out of 8 and a half million. And yet—if anything united each person sitting across from me, it was the shared recognition that this moment demands a new politics, and a new approach to power.

We will deliver nothing less as we work each day to make this city belong to more of its people than it did the day before.

Here is what I want you to expect from the administration that this morning moved into the building behind me.

We will transform the culture of City Hall from one of ‘no’ to one of ‘how?’

We will answer to all New Yorkers, not to any billionaire or oligarch who thinks they can buy our democracy.

We will govern without shame and insecurity, making no apology for what we believe. I was elected as a Democratic socialist and I will govern as a Democratic socialist. I will not abandon my principles for fear of being deemed radical. As the great Senator from Vermont once said: “What’s radical is a system which gives so much to so few and denies so many people the basic necessities of life.”

We will strive each day to ensure that no New Yorker is priced out of any one of those basic necessities.

And throughout it all we will, in the words of Jason Terrance Phillips, better known as Jadakiss or J to the Muah, be “outside”—because this is a government of New York, by New York, and for New York.

Before I end, I want to ask you, if you are able, whether you are here today or anywhere watching, to stand.

I ask you to stand with us now, and every day that follows. City Hall will not be able to deliver on our own. And while we will encourage New Yorkers to demand more from those with the great privilege of serving them, we will encourage you to demand more of yourselves as well.

The movement we began over a year ago did not end with our victory on Election Night. It will not end this afternoon. It lives on with every battle we will fight, together; every blizzard and flood we withstand, together; every moment of fiscal challenge we overcome with ambition, not austerity, together; every way we pursue change in working peoples’ interests, rather than at their expense, together.

No longer will we treat victory as an invitation to turn off the news. From today onwards, we will understand victory very simply: something with the power to transform lives, and something that demands effort from each of us, every single day.

What we achieve together will reach across the five boroughs and it will resonate far beyond. There are many who will be watching. They want to know if the left can govern. They want to know if the struggles that afflict them can be solved. They want to know if it is right to hope again.

So, standing together with the wind of purpose at our backs, we will do something that New Yorkers do better than anyone else: we will set an example for the world. If what Sinatra said is true, let us prove that anyone can make it in New York—and anywhere else too. Let us prove that when a city belongs to the people, there is no need too small to be met, no person too sick to be made healthy, no one too alone to feel like New York is their home.

The work continues, the work endures, the work, my friends, has only just begun.

Thank you.

Mayor Mamdani Joins Under the Radar Theater Festival to Give Away 1,500 Free Tickets in Commitment to Making Arts and Culture Accessible to All

Mamdani handed out free tickets in Flatbush to college students, local residents on Friday

NEW YORK, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani joined Under the Radar theater festival in promoting their major free ticket giveaway, which will make 1,500 free tickets available to participating shows at theaters across the city in January as part of the “Under the Radar for All” effort. Under the Radar, America’s largest theater festival, includes more than 25 new shows from innovative artists across the globe, presented in partnership with a vibrant community of partner venues across the five boroughs. As a part of Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to making the arts accessible to working New Yorkers, he helped distribute tickets to students and neighbors outside of the Leonard & Claire Tow Center for the Performing Arts at Brooklyn College, where the festival is presenting RECONSTRUCTING. New Yorkers can claim their free tickets at UTRfest.org/under-the-radar-for-all while they are available. Photos of the ticket giveaway are available on the NYC Mayor’s Office Flickr page.

Just nine days into the Administration, Mayor Mamdani has already turned his laser-focus on the affordability crisis into meaningful improvements in the lives of New Yorkers. From cracking down on bad landlords and junk fees to fixing dangerous bike infrastructure to helping deliver more than $1B towards universal childcare alongside Governor Hochul, the Mayor is fighting hard for the city New Yorkers deserve. This commitment extends beyond rent and childcare – to the plays, comedy shows, and art exhibits every New Yorker deserves.

“The arts are too often considered a luxury for the wealthy or a treat for the tourists, rather than a form of expression, joy, and relaxation that every New Yorker deserves,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “I am grateful for Under the Radar’s generosity and their work to share the experience of live theater citywide and am ready to build upon these efforts to make art accessible and affordable across our five boroughs.”

“Under the Radar has long been committed to building a creative ecosystem habitable for the many, not the few. If Shakespeare is free, so should contemporary performance. That belief is beautifully reflected in the myriad partner organizations coming together behind the belief that non-commercial art and international perspectives matter deeply. The stats–31 shows across 24 venues–are one thing, but they are meaningless without adventurous audiences in multiple boroughs bringing the festival to life. We are deeply grateful to Mayor Mamdani and his team for helping us bring so many more people to the party,” said Under the Radar Founding Artistic Director Mark Russell.

“We are in the business of tending how ideas move between people and in the world. Theater at its best is a model of participatory society. Over the last 3 years, Under the Radar has continued expanding into a plurality of voices and perspectives. We are thrilled to gather with the Mayor to expand and meet the civic duty of the arts – reaching representative publics,” said Under the Radar Co-Director Kaneza Schaal.

About the Under the Radar Theater Festival:

For over two decades, the Under the Radar theater festival has brought bold, risk-taking work to New York City, celebrating groundbreaking theater and performance both from around the world and from just down the street. Produced in partnership with venues across the city, the festival showcases innovative multidisciplinary artists whose work speaks powerfully to the present. UTR’s 21st season, running January 7 to January 25, convenes a lineup of more than 30 productions at 25 separate venues, including Lincoln Center, La MaMa, PSNY, New York Theater Workshop, Japan Society, and Mabou Mines. 2026 marks Under the Radar’s third year as a citywide collaboration, informed by the multiplicity of vision of our partner institutions’ artistic leaders. This season features the most exclusively Under the Radar-commissioned and produced work offered yet. 2026 also inaugurates a new leadership model in which Co-Creative Directors Meropi Peponides and Kaneza Schaal join Founder and Artistic Director Mark Russell to form the first of what will be a rotating cohort of festival curators, ensuring the festival’s programming is forever of-the-moment. The festival is produced by Thomas O. Kriegsmann and Sami Pyne of ArKtype. Find out more at utrfest.org.

MAYOR ADAMS AWARDS KEY TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO EMMY AWARD WINNING AND VETERAN JOURNALIST MARVIN SCOTT

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today awarded the Key to the City of New York to 60-year veteran journalist Marvin Scott — a New York State Broadcasters Hall of Famer, 14-time Emmy award winner, and recent Governors Award winner — in recognition of his lifelong impact on the city he continues to serve. Scott is a Bronx native that has been a cornerstone of New York broadcast news for more than five decades. Since joining WPIX in 1980, he has served as anchor, reporter, host, producer, and senior correspondent.

“Today, we honor a man whose voice has echoed across the five boroughs and around the globe for generations. Marvin Scott is a giant of news and journalism,” said Mayor Adams. “For six decades, Marvin has shone a light on what is happening in our streets, across our nation, and around the globe, and he has done it with courage, integrity, and a dedication to the truth. For his lasting impact on journalism, news, and public service, it is my honor to present the Key to New York City to a New York legend.”

“To receive the Key to the City of New York, which has been my work home and my greatest story for six decades, is an extraordinary honor,” said veteran journalist Marvin Scott. “I feel privileged to have been able to tell New York’s story through the voices of the people. My gratitude to Mayor Adams for this honor.”

A seasoned reporter of local, national, and international news, Scott has covered major stories from the front lines of Iraq, Afghanistan, and Cambodia, to the Civil Rights movement with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. He has interviewed six U.S. presidents, as well as global figures, including Israeli Prime Ministers Golda Meir and Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat, and has chronicled every New York City mayor since John Lindsay. His work has earned more than 40 Emmy nominations and numerous professional honors, including recognition from the Associated Press, the American Bar Association, and the New Jersey Working Press Association.

Before WPIX, Scott held reporting and anchoring roles at WNEW-TV, CNN, Mutual Broadcasting System, and WABC-TV, and contributed to the New York Herald Tribune and Parade Magazine. A New York native who sold his first news photo at age 14, he has also reported extensively on the U.S. space program, authored the book “As I Saw It: A Reporter’s Intrepid Journey,” and exhibited his photography at different New York galleries.

Scott’s contributions to journalism and public service have been recognized with the Ellis Island Medal of Honor, inductions into the Silver and Gold Circles of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, the Bronx Walk of Fame, and the Bronx Jewish Hall of Fame.

The Key to the City of New York was first awarded in 1702 by New York City Mayor Phillip French, when he offered “Freedom of the City” to Viscount Edward Cornbury, governor of New York and New Jersey. By the mid-1800s, it became customary to award the Key to the City of New York as a direct symbol of the city’s wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will. Today, the Key to the City of New York is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement.

MAYOR MAMDANI & GOVERNOR HOCHUL TO LAUNCH FREE CHILD CARE FOR TWO-YEAR-OLDS IN NYC — GOVERNOR ANNOUNCES INVESTMENTS TO DELIVER UNIVERSAL CHILD CARE FOR NEW YORK CHILDREN UNDER FIVE

Governor Will Partner with Mayor Mamdani to Deliver Full Promise of City’s 3K Program

Affordable Childcare for Nearly 100,000 Additional Children Through Statewide Universal Pre-K, Launch of 2-Care, New Community Care Programs, and Expanded Access to Targeted Child Care Subsidies

All Four-Year-Old Children in New York State to Have Pre-K Access by the 2028-29 School Year

Governor Hochul today announced an unprecedented investment as the next step to deliver affordable, universal childcare for children under five years of age across New York State. The Governor will partner with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to deliver free child care for two-year-olds in New York City, in addition to strengthening the existing 3K program to achieve universal care and ultimately, serve all families across the city.

In 2026, the state will continue to expand access to high-quality child care programs throughout the state, through a diversity of models, saving New York families billions of dollars each year. Since taking office, Governor Hochul has already taken major steps to expand access to affordable child care for families through an $8 billion dollar investment in the state’s child care infrastructure, dramatically expanding access, as part of laying the groundwork for the implementation of universal child care statewide.

“There’s one thing that every family in New York can agree on, the cost of childcare is simply too high,” Governor Hochul said. “As New York’s first mom Governor, fighting for New York’s families has always been at the core of my agenda. Since taking office, I’ve put families front and center, fighting to make our state more affordable and laying the groundwork to deliver universal childcare. Today, I’m proud to partner with Mayor Mamdani and leaders across our state to make this a reality, turning that foundation into a concrete roadmap that will transform the lives of working parents and kids across our state.”

“Over the past 14 months, a movement was born to fight for a city where every New Yorker could afford a life of dignity and every family could afford to raise their kids. Today, Governor Hochul and I meet that movement as we celebrate our joint commitment to universal child care,” Mayor Zohran Mamdani said. “This victory represents much more than a triumph of city and state government working in partnership—it is proof that when New Yorkers come together, we can transform the way government serves working families.”

Governor Hochul’s State of the State investments will commit to delivering affordable childcare for nearly 100,000 more kids.

Make Pre-K truly universal statewide,

Partner with New York City to launch the new Mayor’s signature 2-Care program and finally realize the promise of universal 3K access in New York City,

Support other counties in building out new child care pilots that offer high-quality affordable care to families regardless of income, and

Expand child care subsidies to tens of thousands of additional families.

Alongside these commitments, the Governor will launch an Office of Child Care and Early Education to steer the implementation of high-quality, universal child care for New York families.

Today’s announcement builds on steps that Governor Hochul has taken to expand access to affordable child care for families, laying the groundwork for the implementation of universal child care statewide. Specifically, the State has already:

More than doubled the number of children served by child care vouchers in just four years, with an almost 25% increase in the past 12 months alone.

Provided more than $8.6 billion for child care, including more than doubling funding for subsidies.

Dramatically expanded the number of families who are eligible by increasing the maximum income from 200 percent of Federal poverty level (roughly $64,000 for a family of four) to the maximum allowed under Federal law – 85 percent of Statewide median income (roughly $114,000 for a family of four).

Made child care more affordable by reducing the amount those receiving subsidy pay by capping costs at $15 per week for most families.

Increased reimbursement rates for providers by nearly 50%, helping providers retain staff and provide quality care for children across the state.

Supported the future creation of thousands of child care seats and new centers through more than $150M in capital funding.

Achieving Truly Universal Pre-K

While four year olds in some parts of New York have long had access to pre-k, there are dozens of school districts that have not yet been able to make it available. Governor Hochul is providing additional support to ensure truly universal Pre-K for all four-year-olds in the State by the start of the 2028-2029 school year.

The State will not only fund additional seats to achieve universality but will also increase funding for existing seats, bringing them up to the greater of $10,000 or the applicable school district’s current selected foundation aid per pupil, so that districts have what they need to provide high-quality Pre-K. This combination reflects a commitment of roughly a half-billion dollars and will ensure that every child in New York State enters kindergarten ready to learn.

Launching 2-Care and Reaching Universal 3k Access in NYC

New York City has already launched universal Pre-K and 3K, and Governor Hochul will partner with Mayor Zohran Mamdani to age this program down and launch an unprecedented initiative to offer entirely free child care for two-year-olds within New York City. The Governor is committing to fully fund the first two years of the city’s implementation. As envisioned by the incoming mayoral administration, the first year of the program will focus on high-need areas selected by New York City and expand to serve all interested families across the city by year 4. In addition, the Governor will partner with the Mayor to strengthen and fix the city’s 3K program and ensure it achieves its promise of universal access.

Continuing Access to Low-Cost, Affordable Child Care Assistance Programs

Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York has more than doubled investment in the state’s Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP), which provides subsidies to help low-income families access child care. By dramatically increasing the State’s investments in the program while expanding eligibility, the program now supports 2.5 times more children – an additional 100,000 – than when Governor Hochul took office; the number of children served has increased by almost 25% in the past year alone. Most of the families of the 170,000 children served by the program pay no more than $15 a week for child care.

This year, Governor Hochul will continue to grow the State’s investment in child care subsidies for those that need it most with a $1.2 billion increased investment, bringing the total available for subsidies to over $3 billion. This is more than 3.5 times more than the $832 million provided prior to the Governor taking office, and a nearly 40 percent increase from what was made available in the FY 2026 Enacted Budget.

Piloting Innovative Community Care Models Across New York Counties

In 2026, Governor Hochul will launch innovative new pilot projects for children in counties outside of New York City that are also ready to launch child care in more expansive ways in their communities. The Governor will launch a new New York State pilot, designed to support counties in working towards universal access to affordable, year-round, full-day care for thousands of families across these communities, regardless of income. Programs will be a joint collaboration between participating counties, local child care coordinating entities, and New York State.

Office of Child Care and Early Education

A new Office of Child Care and Early Education will drive the implementation of high-quality, universal child care in New York State. The Office will oversee and support roll out of universal Pre-K, continued investment in 3-K, launch of 2-Care and other innovative care options, expansion and improvement of vouchers, and ongoing support for the workforce.

Supporting the Workforce Through Early Childhood Educator Preparation

Governor Hochul’s plan to strengthen New York’s early childhood education workforce include expanding existing workforce scholarships, seeking opportunities for new Workforce Pell grants, and directing SUNY and CUNY to take a number of steps to expand and streamline early childhood education programs.

Expanding the Child and Dependent Care Credit to Better Support Families

Governor Hochul will expand and simplify the child and dependent care tax credit to provide an additional average benefit of $575 for 230,000 tax filers. She will also undertake a thorough review of existing tax incentives for employers with the goal of helping them better serve the child care needs of their employees.

Mayor Zohran Mamdani Appoints Simonia Brown as Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy

Brown, a budget and policy veteran in NYC and Albany, will work with the State to advance the Mayor’s affordability agenda

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani appointed New York City and State policy and budget veteran Simonia Brown as Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy. In this role, Brown will work alongside partners in Albany to help deliver on the Mayor’s affordability agenda. Brown will report to the First Deputy Mayor.

Simonia Brown has more than two decades of experience in New York City and New York State government, advising elected officials and negotiating key policy and budget issues. Under Mayor Bill de Blasio, Brown served as the Director of New York City’s State Legislative Affairs Office, where she was responsible for advancing the City’s budgetary and legislative agenda.

Brown served as an Associate Director at the NYC Office of Management and Budget, where she oversaw the budgets for the NYC Department of Education, the City’s investments at CUNY, and the 59 Community Boards. Additionally, at OMB, Brown led the Intergovernmental Relations unit, advancing the City’s fiscal priorities at the city, state and federal levels.

Before working in New York City government, Brown held several roles at the New York State Assembly advising the Speaker and Assembly leadership, directing budget analysis, developing policy initiatives, and leading budget and policy negotiations. Currently, Brown serves as the Assistant Deputy Comptroller at the Office of the State Comptroller where she leads several teams in overseeing local government and school district finances including the distribution of more than $1 billion annually and statewide fiscal stress monitoring.

“I am thrilled to welcome Simonia Brown to our administration,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Simonia is an experienced and deeply committed leader. Her track record of winning budgets and policies that lift up working people will be invaluable as we deliver on our affordability agenda for New Yorkers.”

“I am honored to join Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s administration. Mayor Mamdani gave a voice to New Yorkers facing a soaring cost-of-living crisis. I’m looking forward to working alongside our partners in Albany to deliver the Mayor’s affordability agenda and provide real relief for working families in New York,” said Simonia Brown, Senior Advisor for Policy and Strategy.

Mayor Mamdani Signs Two Emergency Executive Orders

Directs city agencies to develop plans to come into compliance with Board of Corrections’ Minimum Standards & city shelter laws

Mayor also instructs city agencies to work with federal monitor & Nunez parties to develop plan to implement Local Law 42 banning solitary confinement

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed two new executive orders directing his agencies to bring the City into compliance with the Board of Corrections’ Minimum Standards and city shelter laws that were suspended during the influx of asylum seekers. The Mayor has also instructed the Law Department to work with the federal monitor and all parties in Nunez v. City of New York to develop a plan to implement City Council’s Local Law 42.

“I was elected because of my values, and my promise to always be honest with New Yorkers — and now is a moment for blunt truths. The previous Administration’s refusal to meet their legal obligations on Rikers has left us with troubling conditions that will take time to resolve,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “In order to fix this, I am signing a new emergency executive order instructing the relevant agencies to develop a compliance plan within 45 days. I am also directing the Law Department to work with the federal monitor and the parties in court so that we can end solitary confinement. I applaud the Public Advocate and the City Council for the passage of Local Law 42 and for always standing up for people on Rikers, despite tremendous opposition from City Hall at the time. We will work closely with the federal monitor and the parties to put the City back on track to end solitary confinement as soon as possible.”

Corporation Counsel nominee Steve Banks said: “In order to stop conditions on Rikers from deteriorating any further, the Mayor is signing a new emergency executive order that instructs the Department of Correction and the Law Department to develop a plan within 45 days to come into compliance with the Board of Corrections’ Standards. The Mayor has also directed the Law Department to work with the federal court monitor and the parties in the Nunez case to develop a plan to implement the provisions of the City Council’s Local Law 42 that the City had previously asked the federal court to block.”

In its first week, the Mamdani Administration is taking action to ensure the City better serves New Yorkers. Emergency Executive Order 1 instructs the Department of Corrections and the Law Department to develop a plan within 45 days to come into compliance with the Board of Corrections’ Minimum Standards. Additionally, the Mayor has directed the Law Department to work with the federal monitor and all Nunez parties to develop a plan to implement Local Law 42, which bans solitary confinement.

Emergency Executive Order 2 instructs the Law Department and Department of Social Services to develop a plan within 45 days to come into compliance with city shelter law requiring cooking facilities in shelters for families with children and capacity limits on adult shelters. Effective immediately, the executive order will end the suspension of a broad range of health and safety codes, building codes, and land use rules, which the City used to open new shelters.

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES CITY TO COMPLETE REDESIGN ON MCGUINNESS BOULEVARD

Mamdani Administration will deliver DOT’s original plan for protected bike lanes along the full length of McGuinness Boulevard from Meeker Avenue to the Pulaski Bridge

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn announced today that NYC DOT will complete the redesign of McGuinness Boulevard.

McGuinness Boulevard, which operates as a critical cycling connection between Brooklyn and Queens that serves more than 4,000 daily riders during the summer months, is dangerous for bikers, pedestrians, and drivers alike.

Under Mayor Mamdani, NYC DOT will implement its original plan to install parking-protected bike lanes along the entirety of McGuinness Boulevard to ensure traffic calming measures throughout the entire corridor, extending the existing parking-protected lanes running between Meeker and Calyer Street northbound up to the Pulaski Bridge. Upon completion, McGuinness Boulevard will feature one travel lane in each direction, one parking-protected bike lane in each direction, and one vehicular parking and loading lane in each direction.

“For too long, critical street safety projects have been delayed or shelved because of political considerations and backroom deal-making rather than the needs of New Yorkers. Those days are over,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “New Yorkers deserve to be safe no matter how they commute — whether they bike, walk, or drive. That’s why, as one of my first acts as Mayor, my administration is committing to restarting implementation of parking-protected bike lanes on McGuinness Boulevard and complete its redesign. New Yorkers deserve an administration that gets right to work to deliver genuine street safety.”

“New Yorkers deserve to feel safe when they’re traveling with their families and loved ones on city streets — and McGuinness Boulevard should be designed to stitch Greenpoint together, not divide it in half,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. “We are moving swiftly to finish the redesign of McGuinness Boulevard because we know too many lives have already been lost on this street — and that this project was altered against the best interests of New Yorkers. This is just the beginning, and we look forward to doubling down to aggressively deliver on our bus and street safety agenda and restore faith in our community engagement process.”

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of today’s announcement. My frustration with inaction on McGuinness Boulevard inspired my run for office. Decades of death and catastrophic injury occurred before Matthew Jensen was tragically killed in 2021,” said Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “Today’s announcement is a victory for the local advocates and community members who fought for decades to make McGuinness safe. It reflects a sense of urgency and a promise kept by Mayor Mamdani, and it is a reminder of what is possible when government works for the people it serves. Most importantly, it affirms that when communities are motivated to organize, we prevail over corrupt corporate interests. I will always stand with my community and fight for the safe streets we deserve, and I am so proud and honored that we get to ring in this new year with this victory.”

“McGuinness has dangerously divided Greenpoint for generations, but thanks to the tremendous organizing of our community and the leadership of Mayor Mamdani, McGuinness will finally be safe for all of us,” said Councilmember Lincoln Restler. “I am grateful that the Mayor has made McGuinness a week one priority and that this is just the beginning of transformational street safety improvements across every neighborhood in New York City.”

“The Greenpoint community has been asking for real safety improvements on McGuinness Boulevard for a long time. I’m glad to see Mayor Mamdani make this critical project a priority and to see DOT commit to finishing the full redesign, including protected bike lanes along the entire corridor,” said Representative Nydia Velázquez. “This is the result of persistent community advocacy and a clear understanding that half-measures don’t work when it comes to street safety. I look forward to continuing to work with DOT to make sure these changes are implemented well and make McGuinness safer for everyone.”

“I’m proud to see Mayor Mamdani making McGuinness Boulevard one of his first priorities. By approving the full redesign, he is putting the lives and safety of New Yorkers first by installing the full parking-protected bike lane on McGuinness Boulevard from the Pulaski Bridge to Meeker Ave,” said State Senator Kristen Gonzalez. “Our community has tirelessly advocated for these evidence-based changes for years because we know they save lives. Today, as we honor the lives of Matthew Jensen and so many others, I am committed to working with NYCDOT and Mayor Mamdani to make our streets safer for everyone.”

“This is what it looks like to have a Mayor who puts the public good ahead of political gain,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “I am grateful to Mayor Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Flynn for advancing these life-saving measures, and I am immeasurably proud of the coalition of Brooklyn residents, families, advocates, and elected officials who have fought tooth and nail for years to achieve a McGuinness Boulevard design that puts our safety first. A new era indeed.”

“As a mother who lost my son, I’m deeply grateful to see Mayor Mamdani announce his intention to complete the full redesign of McGuinness Boulevard. We were shocked and appalled when the original plan was watered down in 2023 over pay-to-play politics,” said Fabiola Mendieta-Cuapio, Co-Chair of Families for Safe Street New York. “So many people — like beloved PS 110 teacher Matthew Jensen — have lost their lives on this dangerous speedway. For years, Families for Safe Streets has stood with the Greenpoint community demanding more, and we’re so glad McGuinness is finally going to get the full safety redesign it so sorely needs. McGuinness today, stalled projects across the five boroughs tomorrow.”

“With this announcement, New York families breathe a sigh of relief as we turn the page from an administration that watered down and stalled street safety projects and look to a new era of ever more ambitious street safety improvements,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “Thank you to Mayor Mamdani, all of our partners in government and advocacy, and every parent and student in Greenpoint who fought to make McGuinness safe. Today we celebrate, and tomorrow we continue the fight to finish every stalled project and transform every dangerous corridor into the safe streets that New Yorkers deserve.”

“McGuinness Boulevard has divided Greenpoint, hurt our community, and killed our neighbors for 70 years,” said Bronwyn Breitner, Coordinator for Make McGuinness Safe. “Parents and students have been organizing to make McGuinness safe for five years since the death of Matthew Jensen. With today’s announcement, New York City will finally deliver the McGuinness Boulevard our children deserve, and we will keep fighting to ensure the upcoming capital plan meets the moment and need here in Greenpoint.”

“We’re thrilled that Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn are wasting no time in beginning to implement critical street-safety projects that were hampered or shelved by the previous administration, and we can think of no better place to start that process than on McGuinness Boulevard,” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “The extension of the redesign to its originally intended footprint will make everyone who uses McGuinness Boulevard safer, and today’s announcement underscores what’s possible when City Hall supports DOT’s work instead of meddling to water it down. We’re grateful to the Mayor and Commissioner for so quickly kickstarting this new era of progress. Bravo!”

“It’s welcome news that the original McGuinness Boulevard redesign is being revived. Prioritizing this issue during his first days in office is a clear signal that Mayor Mamdani is prepared to act quickly and decisively to make New York City’s streets safer and to prioritize people over cars,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of OpenPlans. “We look forward to working with the new administration to bring people-centered streets to every neighborhood and build a more livable city for all New Yorkers.”

The redesign will bring a host of safety benefits for all New Yorkers, including pedestrians and drivers, by shortening crossing distances, calming turning vehicles, and reducing reckless driving behavior. Similar designs across the city have been shown to reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by 30 percent.

MAYOR MAMDANI APPOINTS AFUA ATTA-MENSAH AS CHIEF EQUITY OFFICER AND COMMISSIONER OF THE MAYOR’S OFFICE OF EQUITY & RACIAL JUSTICE

Atta-Mensah is a nationally recognized strategist and organizer for racial justice

As Chief Equity Officer, Atta-Mensah will lead work to create and publish the Racial Equity Plan within first 100 days

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of nationally recognized organizer and racial justice strategist Afua Atta-Mensah as Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ). In this role, Atta-Mensah will coordinate the administration’s work advancing racial equity across City agencies, including creating and publishing the Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan within the administration’s first 100 days in office. This commitment to the Racial Equity Plan, which the Adams administration failed to publish on schedule, marks a new era in New York City’s pursuit of racial justice under the Mamdani administration.

Atta-Mensah has previously held roles including Chief of Programs at Community Change, Executive Director of Community Voices Heard, and Director of Litigation and Policy at the Urban Justice Center. In these positions and others across New York and internationally, she has fought to build social power for working people, including defending racial justice initiatives and fair and equitable housing.

Mayor Mamdani also committed to create and publish the Preliminary Racial Equity Plan within the administration’s first 100 days in office. New Yorkers will then be able to comment on the Preliminary Plan before the Final Plan is published later this year. New York City voters supported the creation of a Racial Equity Plan by a wide margin in 2022, but the previous administration did not meet the timeline established in the City Charter to release it. In prioritizing the publication of the Racial Equity Plan, the Mamdani administration is reiterating its commitment to a more equitable and just New York City.

“Afua Atta-Mensah has dedicated her career to serving the New Yorkers who are so often forgotten in the halls of power. There is no one I trust more to advance racial equity across our work in City Hall,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “That starts with making good on the promise of a Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan within our first 100 days in office, and it will continue as our administration focuses on equity and racial justice throughout its work.

“I am honored by this appointment, and ready to seek citywide justice and accountability on behalf of all New Yorkers,” said Afua Atta-Mensah, NYC Chief Equity Officer & Commissioner of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice. “As the Mayor has made clear, this administration is committed to doing big things — and to doing them boldly. I look forward to partnering with community leaders and working alongside the teams at MOERJ and the Commission on Racial Equity to develop and implement a comprehensive, citywide Racial Equity Plan.”

“There is no economic justice without racial justice. I am thrilled to get to work with Afua Atta-Mensah to make this more than just a statement of principle and to celebrate Black excellence and racial equity for all of the beautiful communities who call NYC home,” said Julie Su, Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice.

Mamdani Administration Announces Historic $2.1 Million Settlement to Address Hazardous Conditions and Tenant Harassment Across 14 Buildings

A&E Real Estate and associated bad actors agree to correct building violations, injunctions to end tenant harassment

New York, NY – TODAY, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and incoming Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy announced a $2.1 million settlement involving A&E Real Estate properties with associated principals Douglas Eisenberg and Margaret Brunn, and registered managing agent Brian Garland, to address tenant harassment and hazardous conditions across 14 buildings in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. In addition to the civil penalties, the settlement requires A&E to correct more than 4,000 building condition violations across these buildings and imposes injunctions prohibiting tenant harassment moving forward.

This enforcement action, led by HPD’s Anti-Harassment Unit, represents one of the tools that the Mamdani administration is bringing to bear to protect tenants across New York. Mayor Mamdani made tenant protection a focal point of his administration on his first day in office, signing executive orders to revitalize the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants (MOPT) and help deliver housing more quickly, including on City-owned sites. HPD, the MOPT, and other agencies will continue to use every tool available to defend and strengthen tenants’ rights, confront bad-actor landlords, and intervene when unsafe or illegal conditions put tenants at risk.

“Every tenant in New York City has a right to a safe and livable home and our administration is taking decisive action to deliver exactly that. This settlement will bring real accountability and relief for the tenants of these buildings, who have been suffering from poor conditions and harassment for far too long,” said Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani. “From our first day in office, we have made addressing the housing crisis a priority. Enforcement actions like these are just one of the many tools that we will use to deliver on an affordability agenda for New Yorkers.”

“We will not stand by when bad landlords let buildings decay and tenants suffer. This settlement is a statement of values: that every New Yorker has a right to feel safe in their own home,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “We will continue to use City tools to deliver real results for tenants, whether through enforcement actions like this or working in partnership with owners who are committed to providing safe and quality housing to New Yorkers.”

“It is an honor to advance the vision of the Mamdani administration and the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development that safe, livable homes are a right for each and every New Yorker. By holding bad actors accountable, we are making it clear that no landlord will escape the consequences of violating the Housing Maintenance Code. Tenants should not have to fight day in and day out for a crumbling ceiling to be repaired, for mold to be remediated, or for heat and hot water to be available — these are basic rights. Through the tireless work of our enforcement teams, we are delivering justice for tenants. HPD will continue to hold landlords accountable and deliver justice for New York City tenants,” said Incoming Housing Preservation and Development Commissioner, Dina Levy.

“A&E’s greed has left New Yorkers without working elevators, crumbling bathroom ceilings, and termites eating through the walls. Here in Jackson Heights, we’ve been fighting alongside the tenants of A&E buildings for years. Every repair we’ve won leaves us with ten more to fight for — their buildings are revolving doors of neglect and major housing violations. I’m thankful that Mayor Mamdani and HPD, on day 16 of the new era, have taken this problem head-on, protecting and fighting for our neighbors — especially here in Jackson Heights, the community with the highest numbers of A&E properties. A&E’s money-first mindset has hit my district the hardest, but I know this won’t be the last major win for their tenants,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan.

The litigation that led to this settlement regards 14 buildings across three boroughs: 150-45 73 Avenue, 35-64 84 Street, 37-06 81 Street, 35-16 34 Street, 48-16 46 Street, 37-25 81 Street, 80-01 37 Street, 37-30 81 Street, and 150-40 73 Avenue in Queens; 2 Ellwood Street, 342 Fort Washington Avenue, and 350 Fort Washington Avenue in Manhattan; and 65 Ocean Avenue and 230 Ocean Parkway in Brooklyn. HPD’s initial investigation revealed widespread unsafe conditions at four buildings; when those violations were not corrected, HPD escalated enforcement by filing motions with the Court seeking civil contempt, additional Orders to Correct, and further civil penalties.

Over the course of litigation, more than 1,000 violations have been corrected following enforcement actions and court orders, and HPD has made an additional $488,000 worth of repairs through the Emergency Repair Program. Should A&E not comply with these settlement terms, HPD may seek additional court orders and further penalties.

MAYOR MAMDANI SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDERS TO CRACK DOWN ON JUNK FEES, SUBSCRIPTION TRICKS AND TRAPS AND SAVE NEW YORKERS MONEY

Amid an affordability crisis, junk fees and subscription tricks and traps are making goods and services less affordable for New Yorkers

DCWP will soon begin outreach to businesses to ensure compliance with city law and signal immediate consequences

Alongside, Attorney General Tish James, Council Member Julie Menin, and DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine, Mayor Mamdani signed two executive orders to protect New Yorkers against misleading fees and deceptive subscription traps

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani, joined by Attorney General Letitia James, City Council Member Julie Menin, and DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine, signed two executive orders: to combat businesses’ deceptive use of junk fees and crackdown on subscription tricks and traps that that drain money from New Yorkers and make essential goods and services less affordable.

Following the signing, DCWP will begin outreach to businesses to ensure compliance with city law and signal immediate consequences.

“New Yorkers deserve to know exactly what they are paying, how much it will cost, and whether they are signing up for an ongoing charge — before a single dollar leaves their account. Instead, too many people are hit with hidden fees and blindsided by subscription traps they never knowingly agreed to and cannot easily escape,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “In the midst of an affordability crisis that is already pushing working New Yorkers out of their city, these deceptive practices put even more strain on household budgets. This executive order restores what should have always been the case: transparency in pricing, accountability for companies, and full compliance with the law.”

“New Yorkers are paying too much for everyday services because of hidden, unexpected junk fees and illegal subscriptions traps. These fees and traps, which have made daily life harder and drained household budgets, have gone unchecked for far too long. It is time to hold companies accountable for deceptive practices and give New Yorkers back the power and transparency they deserve — so they can make purchases without being blindsided by costs they cannot avoid,” said Sam Levine, Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

“As former Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, I saw firsthand how deceptive junk fees and abusive subscription practices erode household finances and undermine trust in our marketplace. The Mayor’s executive orders establish a strong and coordinated framework to confront these practices by strengthening enforcement, increasing price transparency, and aligning action across city and state partners. We must protect New Yorkers from unexpected and unavoidable charges, support honest businesses that disclose prices upfront, and reinforce a basic principle that every transaction in this city should be clear and fair. I commend Mayor Mamdani for taking decisive action, and I look forward to working with him to advance consumer protection and affordability for all New Yorkers,” said Council Member Julie Menin.

“From hidden junk fees to predatory subscription traps, companies are using a wide range of deceptive tactics to raise costs for New Yorkers,” said Attorney General James. “For years my office has been fighting back, holding companies accountable for taking advantage of consumers and returning millions of dollars to those who were cheated. I applaud Mayor Mamdani for protecting New Yorkers with these new executive orders and look forward to working with his administration to lower costs.”

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 9 — COMBATTING HIDDEN JUNK FEES:

Amid a growing affordability crisis, many companies continue to mislead New Yorkers into paying junk fees — fees that do not meaningfully contribute to the service and are often hidden until after a purchase decision has been made. Junk fees have infiltrated nearly every part of our economy from gym memberships and concert tickets to airline bookings and healthcare services.

By signing this executive order to take on junk fees, this administration is signaling it will aggressively crack down on companies who mislead New Yorkers into paying more for services, saving New Yorkers money amidst our cost-of-living crisis. The first executive order signed by Mayor Mamdani to combat junk fees will:

Establish a Citywide Junk Fee Task Force: The task force will be chaired by Deputy Mayor of Economic Justice Julie Su and DCWP Commissioner Sam Levine and will work to advance the city’s work in combatting junk fees and making New York City more affordable.

Combat Hidden Junk Fees: Direct the DCWP to consider and take any actions it deems appropriate to crack down on deceptive or hidden fees that unfairly burden New Yorkers.

Enforce Compliance with City Law: Directs the DCWP to monitor compliance, investigate potential violations, and take enforcement actions as authorized under applicable laws and rules, including any new rules designed to address hidden junk fees.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 10 — FIGHTING SUBSCRIPTION TRICKS AND TRAPS

Too many New Yorkers are being tricked into subscriptions that quietly drain their money — today, Mayor Mamdani also signed an executive order to fight subscription tricks and traps. This executive order:

Empowers the city to use the full tools and authorities of the office to crack down on illegal subscription practices

Directs the DCWP to monitor, investigate, and enforce violations related to subscription tricks and traps

Urges DCWP to make recommendations to the City Council to fight subscription tricks and traps

Calls for coordination with agencies, including the Law Department, and other offices, like the New York State Attorney General to ensure maximum impact in combating subscription traps

Businesses use a range of deceptive practices to trap customers in unwanted subscriptions, including so-called “free trials” that automatically convert into paid plans with critical disclosures buried in fine print or behind hyper links; adding monthly fees or add-on charges after payment information has already been collected; disguising subscriptions as one-time purchases; bundling subscriptions with other services so consumers do not realize they are paying for an additional product; and making cancellation intentionally difficult — forcing consumers to call during limited hours, remember or reset login credentials, or navigate multiple screens before they can cancel.

Junk fees not only hurt consumers, but they also disadvantage honest businesses that are upfront with pricing. The Mamdani administration will hold companies accountable, leveling the playing field while protecting New Yorkers from deceptive practices.

Mayor Mamdani takes the protection of New York consumers and tenants seriously. Just yesterday, Mayor Mamdani signed an executive order to hold “Rental Ripoff” hearings in every borough. These hearings provide an opportunity for working New Yorkers to speak about the challenges they face – from poor building conditions to hidden fees on rent payments. Following these hearings, the Mamdani administration will publish a summary and report detailing common themes and areas of opportunity, and the testimony shared at these hearings will directly inform policy interventions to take on these ripoff tactics. Details about the hearings will be available at nyc.gov/RentalRipoff .

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Dina Levy as Housing Commissioner, Announces Formation of “Rental Ripoff” Hearings

Dina Levy brings decades of housing finance and organizing experience inside and outside of government to HPD

“Rental Ripoff” hearings in all five boroughs will offer New Yorkers a microphone to share poor conditions, unconscionable business practices that City will act upon

NEW YORK, NY — New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani today announced the appointment of longtime housing leader Dina Levy as Commissioner of the Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD). Levy brings decades of experience developing and organizing for safe, affordable housing to the agency, fighting tirelessly for dignified housing for all New Yorkers. At HPD, Levy will execute on the Mamdani administration’s ambitious housing agenda, including preserving rent-stabilized housing, financing and constructing new affordable housing, connecting New Yorkers to housing, and ensuring the habitability of all homes in New York.

“I am proud to welcome Dina Levy as our next Housing Commissioner. Levy is an experienced and fearless housing leader, and I know that she will fight to protect tenants and tackle our housing crisis head-on,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Too many New Yorkers have been forced to pay more for less — living in unsafe, unconscionable, and unaffordable housing. Under my administration, that ends. Today’s executive order is the first step towards giving New Yorkers a voice in addressing the housing crisis that is pricing them out of our city.”

ABOUT DINA LEVY

Levy has fought for safe, affordable housing for years, working as both an advocate and within government. She previously served as Senior Vice President of Homeownership and Community Development at Homes and Community Renewal (HCR), New York State’s affordable housing agency. Prior to that, she worked as senior advisor to the New York Attorney General and as Director of Organizing at the Urban Homesteading Assistance Board (UHAB). She will bring this extensive experience organizing tenants, managing housing finance, and much more to HPD. The appointment was announced at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in The Bronx, widely considered to be the “Birthplace of Hip Hop” – and where Levy led a successful organizing campaign in 2010 to replace a predatory equity investor with a more responsible landlord, with City assistance.

“I am honored to join the Mamdani administration, and especially honored to join the team working to make New York City an affordable place to live. My experience as a community organizer has shaped my work in public service and will continue to be my inspiration in the work ahead at HPD,” said incoming HPD Commissioner Dina Levy. “It is my honor to join forces with tenants, homeowners, and dedicated public servants at HPD as we work to usher in a new era of quality and affordability for all.”

“Dina Levy has long fought for safe and affordable housing both inside and outside of government, and I am thrilled to welcome her to the helm at HPD. Her experience spans the breadth of HPD’s mission, from affordable housing finance to organizing tenants and everything in between,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. “Dina will help deliver a more affordable city and ensure tenants and homeowners across the city are represented in our government.”

RENTAL RIPOFF HEARINGS

As part of the administration’s tenant protection efforts, Mayor Mamdani also signed an executive order directing HPD, the Department of Buildings, the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, and the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection, in coordination with the new Office of Mass Engagement, to hold “Rental Ripoff” hearings across the five boroughs within the first 100 days of the administration. At these hearings, working New Yorkers will be able to speak about the challenges they face – from poor building conditions to hidden fees on rent payments. Following these hearings, the Mamdani administration will publish a summary and report detailing common themes and areas of opportunity, and the testimony shared at these hearings will directly inform policy interventions to take on these ripoff tactics. Details about the hearings will be available at nyc.gov/RentalRipoff .

In the first week of his Administration, Mayor Mamdani is already making it clear that tenants in New York City have a champion in City Hall. On day one, he passed an executive order rebuilding the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and appointed Cea Weaver — who was instrumental in the passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019 — to lead it.

“There is no economic justice without safe, quality, affordable housing New Yorkers can live in. This is not just about building new housing, it’s also about enforcing the laws in existing housing,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. “Through the Rental Ripoff hearings, City Hall will not only be listening, we will take action to ensure that the law is followed without exception and that New Yorkers know their rights when it comes to the often hidden or deceptive fees associated with the hunt for housing.”

“Amid an affordability crisis crushing millions of working New Yorkers, tenants are being burdened by excessive and hidden fees — from amenity fees to processing fees. This administration will make sure every New Yorker knows their rights and knows they have a champion in city government who will not back down from the fight to make this city more affordable, fair, and just,” said Sam Levine, Commissioner of the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection.

“For too long, tenants have been ripped off without recourse or protection. Our Rental Ripoff hearings will give working people across the five boroughs a microphone to highlight the challenges they face and make New York City government a truly participatory endeavor,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. “By hearing from New Yorkers about the challenges they have faced, we can bring a comprehensive approach to address the shoddy conditions, hidden fees, and other ripoffs that have persisted until now.”

Mayor Mamdani Establishes Office of Mass Engagement to Transform How New Yorkers Participate in City Government

Tascha Van Auken to lead new office, bringing unprecedented mass-organizing success to City Hall

NEW YORK, NY — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today signed an Executive Order establishing the Mayor’s Office of Mass Engagement (OME), a new City Hall office designed to transform how New Yorkers engage with their government. The office will work within City Hall and across City agencies to strategize, coordinate, and execute on engagement that reaches the masses of everyday New Yorkers.

The Mayor announced that Tascha Van Auken will lead the Office of Mass Engagement as Commissioner. On Mayor Mamdani’s campaign, Tascha spearheaded a historic field operation — mobilizing more than 100,000 volunteers, knocking on over 3 million doors, and making more than 4.5 million calls to New York City voters. Now she will bring this experience and approach to City government.

“For too long, city government has only listened to the wealthy and well-connected while working New Yorkers remain further and further disconnected from those elected to serve them. The Office of Mass Engagement will fundamentally change this, creating a deeper connection between City Hall and community organizations, faith-based groups, and everyday New Yorkers looking to make their voices heard. Tascha Van Auken has been instrumental in creating the mass movement that delivered us to City Hall, and she will bring the same urgency, discipline, and principles to her work as Director of the Office of Mass Engagement,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani.

The Office of Mass Engagement will revolutionize how City government conducts community engagement. City government functions best when there is a direct line of communication between the Mayor, his team and the people who built this city and keep it running. The Office will transform community engagement to ensure that it reaches New Yorkers where they are, organizes them, and builds long-term participation. It will also serve as a constant drumbeat within City government to ensure that New Yorkers’ needs and perspectives are integrated into all elements of New York City government.

“We are all too familiar with wanting to participate in City government and not knowing where to go. On a daily basis, this limits the capacity of our government,” said incoming Commissioner Tascha Van Auken. “At worst, when New Yorkers need support — when they are facing eviction, when they are denied unemployment, when they need to find care for a loved one — they do not know where to go. We will demystify government so all New Yorkers can be active participants and have the resources they need to thrive.”

“Our current systems of governance do not work because power is concentrated at the top of government, and access is freely open to the powerful, but not to the vast majority of people. To achieve functioning transformative governance, we need practices of participatory democracy between the government and communities, and for collaborative strategizing between the government and movements. We look forward to working with the Office of Mass Engagement towards deep meaningful democracy,” said Fahd Ahmed, Executive Director at DRUM.

Van Auken is a veteran grassroots organizer who previously served as campaign manager for State Senator Julia Salazar and Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest, and as Deputy Campaigns Director for the Working Families Party. On the Mamdani campaign, she led the highest voter turnout in a New York City mayoral race since 1969, with more than 2 million New Yorkers casting ballots — nearly double the turnout of the previous mayoral election and approaching presidential-level participation across neighborhoods in Brooklyn, Queens, and Manhattan. Earlier in her career, she served as Artistic Direction Manager for the Blue Man Group, bringing a creative, people-centered approach to large-scale public engagement.

The Office of Mass Engagement will:

Lead mass engagement campaigns that organize New Yorkers to participate in City decision-making;

Create and maintain accessible, inspiring channels and events for residents to share feedback with government;

Proactively reach communities that have historically been excluded from policymaking;

Embed public feedback directly into City policies, programs, and services through strong, transparent feedback loops;
- Support agencies in delivering high-quality engagement and more effective public services.

Under the Executive Order, the Office of Mass Engagement will oversee and coordinate the City’s key engagement entities, including:

The Public Engagement Unit (PEU)

The Mayor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Partnerships

NYC Service

The Executive Order takes effect immediately.

MAYOR ZOHRAN MAMDANI STATEMENT ON U.S. STRIKES IN VENEZUELA

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed the first two executive orders of his administration, setting the foundation for how his team will govern and operate.

“Today marks the first step in building an administration that works for all New Yorkers,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “We’ve established the foundations of it, and now it’s time to deliver on our affordability agenda, tackle the challenges facing New Yorkers, and usher in a new era for New York City — one that proves that government can deliver for working people.”

The first executive order revokes all executive orders issued on or after September 26, 2024, ensuring a fresh start for the incoming administration and reissues executive orders that the administration feels are central to delivering continued service, excellence, and value-driven leadership.

The second executive order establishes the structure and operations of the new administration, including five Deputy Mayors:

First Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor of Housing and Planning
Deputy Mayor of Economic Justice
Deputy Mayor of Operations
Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services

To these positions, Mayor Mamdani has appointed Dean Fuleihan, Leila Bozorg, Julia Su, Julia Kerson, and Helen Arteaga respectively.

The order also formalizes key leadership positions including Chief of Staff and Chief Counsel to the Mayor and City Hall and outlines the continued operation of several Offices under the Mayor’s Office.

Read Executive Order No. 1 in Full HERE.

Read Executive Order No. 2 in Full HERE.

Mayor Mamdani Signs First Two Executive Orders Of His Administration

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed the first two executive orders of his administration, setting the foundation for how his team will govern and operate.

The second executive order establishes the structure and operations of the new administration, including five Deputy Mayors:

First Deputy Mayor
Deputy Mayor of Housing and Planning
Deputy Mayor of Economic Justice
Deputy Mayor of Operations
Deputy Mayor of Health and Human Services

To these positions, Mayor Mamdani has appointed Dean Fuleihan, Leila Bozorg, Julia Su, Julia Kerson, and Helen Arteaga respectively.

Read Executive Order No. 1 in Full HERE.

Read Executive Order No. 2 in Full HERE.

Mayor Mamdani Appoints Ali Najmi as Chair of Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary

Mayor also signs executive order for Committee to engage wider legal community in judicial selection process & create database to increase transparency

Najmi is a renowned civil rights and election attorney

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced the appointment of renowned civil rights and election attorney Ali Najmi as the Chair of the newly revitalized Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. The Mayor also signed an executive order to ensure that the Committee makes the judicial selection process more transparent and accessible to New Yorkers.

“While the judicial branch plays a crucial role in our democracy, it is often inaccessible and shrouded in secrecy. My Administration will promote transparency in how we select New York City’s judges and ensure our city’s judicial system reflects the city it serves, applies the rule of law universally, and does so without favor,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “There is no one better to lead this effort than Ali Najmi, who will bring the same determination and commitment he’s brought to the courtroom for decades to his new role chairing the Advisory Committee on the Judiciary.”

“It is an honor to lead the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. A fair and equitable legal system is determined by our judges. I am committed to making our judicial selection process more transparent and inclusive to ensure that all 8.5 million New Yorkers see themselves reflected on the bench,” said Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary Ali Najmi.

Under the Mamdani Administration, the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary will be charged with increasing transparency around the judicial selection process and promoting engagement. The new executive order requires the Committee to engage the wider legal community in the judicial selection process, including public defenders, attorneys who represent parents and children in family court, and those working in indigent legal services. The executive order instructs the Committee to regularly publish demographic data on the judicial applicant pool, as well as create a searchable database for New Yorkers to monitor upcoming appointments. The executive order also extends the term of members of the Committee from two years to four years.

The judicial committee appoints judges for family and criminal and interim appointees for civil courts.

“We applaud the Mamdani administration for recognizing that public defenders bring an essential, frontline perspective to issues affecting the legal system, and that this perspective must inform who sits on the bench,” said Juval O. Scott, Executive Director of The Bronx Defenders. “In the Bronx, we see every day how a single arrest or court appearance can upend a person’s life, their family, and their future, which is why judicial appointments must be grounded in a clear understanding of the real human stakes of every decision. A judiciary shaped with this knowledge is critical to ensuring fairness, dignity, and justice for the thousands of people entangled in our courts each year who are the least prepared or resourced to defend their freedom.”

“I congratulate Ali Najmi on his appointment as Chair of the Mayor’s Advisory Committee on the Judiciary. As a seasoned defense and civil rights attorney, Ali brings a critical perspective to the judicial selection process — one grounded in due process, fairness, and access to justice,” said Twyla Carter, Attorney-in-Charge and Chief Executive Officer of The Legal Aid Society. “His experience as a member of the defense bar representing justice-involved New Yorkers will help ensure that the bench reflects a deep understanding of the rights of all New Yorkers, particularly those who rely on robust criminal defense. His leadership will serve the committee, our court system, and New York City writ large.”

***Signed executive orders will be available shortly***

###

Ali Najmi is a civil rights and election attorney in private practice. He is the founder and former President of the South Asian and Indo-Carribean Bar Association of Queens (SAICBAQ), and presently serves on their advisory board. As a leader of SAICBAQ, Najmi has helped diversify the judiciary in his home borough of Queens by helping elect diverse and qualified candidates to the bench.

Najmi is a member of the New York City Bar Association, the Queens County Bar Association, the Muslim Bar Association of New York, and the South Asian and Indo-Caribbean Bar Association of Queens. Najmi is a graduate of Oberlin College and the City University of New York School of Law.

Mayor Mamdani Signs EO to Revitalize Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and Appoints Cea Weaver as Director

With rent due on Jan 1, Mayor Mamdani rolls out major housing initiatives to protect tenants, crack down on negligent landlords, and build more homes

Mayor Mamdani also signed executive orders creating SPEED & LIFT Task Forces to encourage housing construction on city-owned land & cut red tape to help New Yorkers find homes faster

Nationally recognized tenant organizer, Weaver has won major victories for tenants & helped close landlord loopholes used to jack up rents

NEW YORK, NY — TODAY, on his very first day as Mayor of New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed three executive orders to confront the city’s housing crisis: revitalizing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants and establishing two new task forces to accelerate housing construction, get New Yorkers into homes faster, and increase supply by identifying suitable city-owned properties. The Mayor also announced the appointment of nationally recognized tenant organizer and housing advocate Cea Weaver as Director of the newly revitalized Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

The revitalized Office to Protect Tenants will serve as a central coordinating body to defend tenants’ rights, stand up to landlords, and ensure city agencies act swiftly on behalf of renters facing unsafe or illegal conditions.

Weaver currently serves as Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc. She played a pivotal role in securing passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, landmark legislation that closed loopholes allowing landlords to dramatically raise rents and deregulate rent-stabilized apartments.

On her very first day in office, Weaver joined Mayor Mamdani to announce the Mayor’s first major action of his administration; intervening in the bankruptcy proceedings of Pinnacle Realty, a landlord responsible for more than 5,000 housing violations, 14,000 complaints across 83 buildings, and money owed to the City of New York. New York City will take action to seek immediate relief and improve living conditions for Pinnacle tenants, an unprecedented step on behalf of renters living in some of the city’s most neglected buildings.

Mayor Mamdani has directed his Corporation Counsel nominee, Steve Banks, to take precedent-setting action in the Bankruptcy Court to protect the renters of this building and the thousands of other renters across New York Cityscape in similar state. The Mayor is a creditor and interested party: the City is owed money that Pinnacle never paid, and will fight for New Yorkers interests to safe and habitable homes. In doing so, the Mayor will protect tenants already long-neglected from further neglect, as well as mitigate significant risk of displacement they currently face

Mayor Mamdani announced the appointment and signed the executive orders at the very Pinnacle-owned building where he is intervening. While there, he toured an apartment that revealed the consequences of Pinnacle’s negligence — broken walls, torn flooring, and a failure to provide heat. Too many New Yorkers are forced to live in conditions like these, while landlords escape accountability. On his first day in office, Mayor Mamdani made clear that protecting tenants will be a priority of his administration.

In addition to revitalizing the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants, Mayor Mamdani signed two executive orders establishing new housing task forces:

LIFT Task Force (Land Inventory Fast Track) will leverage city-owned land to accelerate housing development, increase supply, and drive down costs. The task force will review city-owned properties and identify sites suitable for housing development no later than July 1, 2026. LIFT will be overseen by Deputy Mayor Leila Bozorg.

The SPEED Task Force (Streamlining Procedures to Expedite Equitable Development) will identify and remove bureaucratic and permitting barriers that drive up costs and slow housing construction and lease-up, making it more affordable to build and easier to access housing across New York City. The task force will be overseen by Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning, and Julia Kerson, Deputy Mayor of Operations.

“Today, on the first day of this new administration, on the day where so many rent payments are due, we will not wait to deliver action. We will stand up on behalf of the tenants of this city,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “You cannot hold landlords who violate the law to account unless you have a proven principled and tireless fighter at the helm. That is why I am proud today to announce my friend Cea Weaver as the Director of the newly reinvigorated Mayor‘s office to protect tenants.”

“I am humbled and honored to join Mayor Mamdani’s administration — and to stand with him on his very first day in office as he makes clear where his priorities lie: with the millions of tenants in New York City who have been mistreated for too long by negligent landlords,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of to Protect Tenants Cea Weaver. “Our work will only grow and this newly revitalized office marks a new era of standing up for tenants and fighting for safe, stable, and affordable homes.”

“Today’s executive orders signal this administration’s clear-eyed focus on standing up for and addressing housing quality for tenants, aggressively taking on the bureaucracy that hampers housing access, and leveraging city-owned properties to increase our supply of affordable housing,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning Leila Bozorg. “Cea Weaver is a powerhouse for tenants rights — winning major victories for tenants across the city and state — I’m excited to see the innovation she brings to this new role.”

“Cea Weaver led the New York tenant movement through a historic surge in power, winning some of the strongest tenant protections in the country in under a decade.From organizing tenant unions to going toe to toe with the real estate lobby in Albany, she knows how to fight the exploitation of tenants — and win,” said Sumathy Kumar, Managing Director of Housing Justice for All. “Tenants are the majority in New York, and we couldn’t have a stronger partner in the administration to deliver the rent freeze New Yorkers voted for, hold landlords accountable, and win safe, stable homes for all.”

“Cea Weaver is an extraordinary leader who is incredibly thoughtful, strategic, and deeply grounded in the lived realities of tenants across New York City. Her integrity and commitment have shaped the tenant movement in powerful ways, including her vision and leadership of the Tenant Bloc this past year,” said Joanne Grell, Rent Freeze Campaign Chair of NYS Tenant Bloc. “I am confident that under her leadership, the Office of Tenant Protections will grow into its fullest potential and become an even stronger force for tenants. Cea’s appointment makes clear that Mayor Mamdani is serious about following through on his commitment to protect tenants and keep New York City affordable!”

***Signed executive orders will be available shortly***

###

Cea Weaver will serve as Director of the revitalized Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants. Weaver is a nationally recognized affordable housing and tenants’ rights advocate and the Executive Director of Housing Justice for All and the New York State Tenant Bloc, sibling organizations that work to strengthen tenant organizing, advance pro-tenant legislation, and elect tenants and their allies to public office.

Weaver was instrumental in the passage of the Housing Stability and Tenant Protection Act of 2019, which closed loopholes that allowed landlords to raise rents when a tenant moved out of the apartment and deregulate rent-stabilized apartments. Under the law, rent increases after vacancy are strictly limited, and deregulation is permitted only in rare circumstances.

Under her leadership, Housing Justice for All grew from a one-person campaign shop into a statewide institution that serves as a leading voice for tenants in New York State.Weaver has led successful campaigns to expand rent stabilization (2019), enact eviction moratoria (2020–2022), pass Good Cause Eviction protections (2024), and establish statewide rental assistance through the Housing Access Voucher Program (2025). As founder of the Tenant Bloc, Weaver mobilized more than 20,000 tenants to vote in support of a citywide rent freeze.

Weaver served as a policy advisor to Zohran Mamdani’s mayoral campaign and is a frequent spokesperson in local, state, and national media, including The New York Times, Democracy Now, NY1, City Limits, Business Insider, and Time. She is a co-founder of the Crown Heights Tenant Union and has taught community organizing to movement leaders, nonprofit professionals, and students across New York State.

Originally from Rochester, New York, Weaver now lives in Brooklyn and holds a Master’s degree in Urban Planning from New York University.

Resources

NYCJobs: Get free career training and help finding a job in government or the private sector.

Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.

NYC 988: NYC 988 is your connection to free, confidential crisis counseling, mental health and substance use support, information and referrals. You can reach the toll-free help line 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, text and online chat.

Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every first and third Tuesday of the month from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.

Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.

311: Non-emergency municipal services available online, by texting 311-692, or by calling 3-1-1 from within the City or 212-NEW-YORK outside the five boroughs. TTY service is also available by dialing 212-504-4115.

Additional Resources:

Food Help NYC: Free food locations including food pantries & soup kitchens.

Buildings After Hours: Free in-person information session with DOB staff every first and third Tuesday of the month from 4 PM to 7 PM at your local borough office.

Notify NYC: Enroll for free in New York City’s dedicated emergency public communications program.

Dear Neighbor,

We are excited to announce that we are a few weeks away from the start of Bronx Week 2026! From Friday, May 1st – Sunday, May 17th, we are highlighting the people and places that make our borough a premier destination to live, work, and visit. We are incorporating both new and returning events into this year’s programming, including our Annual Silent Disco, Skate Party, Health Day, and Grand Finale Concert, Parade, and Food and Arts Festival. The Bronx is a global destination rich in culture and diversity, and Bronx Week is our opportunity to highlight the communities that make our borough great. For more information, visit ilovethebronx.com and stay updated by following us on social media.

Baseball season is also back, which means our Bronx Bombers are at Yankee Stadium seeking their 28th championship ring! Yankees’ home games are expected to generate an economic impact of $500 million during the 2026 regular season. That means money flowing back into our local economy, helping fuel their growth, strengthening local jobs, and keeping our historic neighborhoods thriving. This annual boost brings energy, opportunity, and vitality to the Bronx, and we are proud to uplift the small businesses and workers who help to make our borough a global destination.

Lastly, we launched our first “Lights Out” initiative in partnership with NYC DOT to help identify and report malfunctioning streetlights. If you haven’t had a chance to participate yet, you can still do so by clicking this link. Potholes also continue to be a major concern for drivers across our borough. If you or someone you know has encountered a pothole, please click this link to report it directly to the New York City Department of Transportation.

Warm Regards,

Vanessa L. Gibson

Bronx Borough President

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY EVENT

Bronx, NY- On Monday, March 30th, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in collaboration with Destination Tomorrow and the Bronx LGBTQIA+ Taskforce, hosted a Trans Day of Visibility event at Hostos Community College to honor the strength, resilience, and contributions of the transgender and non-binary communities while highlighting the importance of visibility, dignity, and inclusion across the Bronx and New York City.

The event featured remarks from Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Council Member Justin Sanchez, and the New York City Commission on Human Rights. The program also included a moderated conversation led by Tabytha Gonzalez, Director of Policy & Advocacy at Destination Tomorrow, with panelists including Hansberry, Alex Sanchez, Asha Lyons of VNS Health, and Mizz Turner of Destination Tomorrow, focused on access to gender-affirming care.

“At a time when LGBTQIA+ communities across the country are facing increasing attacks, New York is choosing a different path, one rooted in dignity, protection, and justice,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “In the Bronx, we will continue to lead with compassion and purpose because when we uplift our transgender and gender non-confirming and non-binary communities, we are sending a loud and clear message to the rest of the world that we are choosing love over hate and visibility over exclusion.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS IRISH HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION AT THE RAMBLING HOUSE  

Bronx, NY- On Wednesday, March 25th, 2026, at 6:00 p.m., Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson hosted her annual Irish Heritage Month event at the Rambling House in the Woodlawn section of the Bronx. The event brought together Bronx residents, community leaders, and cultural organizations to celebrate the rich history, traditions, and contributions of the Irish community in the borough and across New York City. This year’s program, emceed by Derek Woods, Co-Founder/Executive Director of Riverdale Children’s Theatre, featured music by DJ Lex “Stylistic.”

The evening featured cultural performances, including a pipes-and-drums procession by the New York State Courts Pipes and Drums, Irish step dancing by the School of Irish Dance, and musical selections from local artists. Derek Woods, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Riverdale Children’s Theatre, served as Master of Ceremonies.

During the program, Borough President Gibson recognized several distinguished honorees for their leadership and service, including Detective Michael Greaney of the New York City Police Department’s 44th Precinct; Edward Koester, Esq., President of the Chippewa Democratic Club; and Patrick J. O’Rourke, President of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, Division 3. The evening also included a posthumous award honoring Elizabeth Catherine Usher and a youth award presented to Bronx High School of Science student Liliana Peyton Link.

“This Irish Heritage Month, we proudly celebrate the rich culture, resilience, and lasting contributions of the Irish community here in the Bronx and across our city,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Tonight, we honor leaders who embody a deep commitment to service, community, and cultural pride. Their impact continues to strengthen our borough and reminds us that the Bronx leads when we celebrate our diversity.”

The annual celebration served as a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the enduring legacy of the Irish community in the Bronx and to uplift the individuals and institutions who continue to shape its future. Through culture, service, and civic engagement, the honorees and participants alike exemplify the spirit of community that defines our borough.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON'S STATEMENT ON FIRE AT FIREHOUSE IN BEDFORD PARK

“Our office has been made aware of a horrible fire in an FDNY Firehouse in Bedford Park that resulted in injuries to 14 of our firefighters.

We extend our deepest gratitude to the brave members of the separate fire company sharing the same firehouse who sprang into action to rescue the FDNY firefighters from Engine 79 on the second floor.

These brave men and women put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and we are keeping everyone involved in our pryers. “

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS ANNUAL DOMINICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION AT GRAND SLAM BANQUET HALL

Bronx, NY– Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson hosted her annual Dominican Heritage Month Celebration honoring the rich heritage, culture, and contributions of the Dominican community in the Bronx. Sponsored by Ponce Bank and Helix LED & Design, this year’s event was emceed by Dominican American News 12 reporter Brittney Cadet and featured music by DJ Lex (Stylistics), along with a powerful rendition of both the Dominican Republic and United States National Anthem, performed by Tessoro Estrella, and a vibrant, energetic performance by Las Mariposas, directed by Ingrid Valenzuela.

The evening also included an invocation and benediction by Rev. Joselyn Rodriguez of One Way Church, The Point, along with a keynote address from Shadie Tineo of the Community Affairs division of the Institute of Dominicans Abroad at the Office of the Consul General of New York.

The program also recognized distinguished honorees, including Afra Rosa, Vice President and Director of Human Capital Development at Ponce Bank; Hon. Bianka Perez, President of the New York State Association of Justices of the Supreme Court of the State of NY; Shino Aquakate, on-air personality on La Gozadera Morning Show at La X 96.3 FM; and Zoe Trinidad, a student at The Young Women’s Leadership School of The Bronx, who received the Youth Award.

“As we celebrate Dominican Heritage Month, we honor a community whose culture, resilience, and contributions are deeply woven into the fabric of our borough,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The Bronx is home to the largest Dominican population in the country, and this celebration reflects the pride, excellence, and lasting impact of Dominican leaders, families, and young people who continue to shape the future of our borough.”

From music and dance to community leadership and public service, the evening showcased the energy, vibrancy, and influence of Dominican culture across the Bronx. The celebration united residents, leaders, and community partners in a shared moment of pride, reinforcing the borough’s identity as a place where all cultures are celebrated and uplifted, with community at the heart of everything we do.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON THE RELEASE OF DYLAN LOPEZ CONTRERAS

“After 10 months of unjust detention, we are relieved to hear that Dylan Lopez Contreras has been released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and is returning to his family here in New York City. Dylan`s experience in custody is beyond unacceptable, and his story reflects a disturbing pattern of unfair enforcement by federal authorities that has harmed countless families across our nation.

A person’s immigration status is never an excuse for human rights abuses, and we condemn any practice by this federal administration that treats our residents as less deserving of dignity or protection. The Bronx is proudly a borough of immigrants, and we will continue to fight for the rights and protections of our immigrant communities regardless of any action taken to undermine their safety and security.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS ANNUAL HIGHER EDUCATION COLLEGE FAIR AT HOSTOS COMMUNITY COLLEGE

Bronx, NY—On Wednesday, March 11, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with the Bronx Higher Education Task Force, hosted the annual Higher Education College Fair at Hostos Community College. This event welcomed over 700 students, educators, and community members from across the borough to learn more about academic opportunities and pathways to higher education.

The event brought together colleges and universities from across New York to connect with prospective undergraduate and graduate students. Attendees had the opportunity to engage directly with representatives from participating institutions and learn more about degree programs, financial aid opportunities, academic resources, and career-building workshops designed to support students at every stage of their academic journey.

The college fair also welcomed professionals seeking career advancement, prospective graduate and certificate students, and educators, expanding access to higher education and workforce opportunities for Bronx residents.

“Higher education remains one of the most powerful pathways to opportunity and economic mobility,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Bringing these colleges and universities directly into our borough ensures that Bronx residents, whether they are high school students, working professionals, or lifelong learners, we want to provide the information and resources needed to pursue their academic and career goals. Thank you to the Bronx Higher Education Taskforce and our academic institutions for continuing to open doors for the next generation of leaders right here in the Bronx.”

Participating institutions included:

Albert Einstein College of Medicine
Boricua College
Bronx Community College
Fordham University
Hostos Community College
Lehman College, CUNY
Manhattan University
Mercy University
Metropolitan College of New York
Monroe University
SUNY Maritime College
University of Mount Saint Vincent

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON JOINS ELECTED OFFICIALS AND COMMUNITY LEADERS IN ANNOUNCING BRONX WEEK 2026

Bronx, NY- Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined elected officials and community partners to announce Bronx Week 2026. Last week, Borough President Gibson made the difficult decision to pause Bronx Week, but after an outpouring of support from community leaders, partners, and stakeholders stepping forward to help sustain this cherished tradition, the Borough President is proud to move forward with its reactivation.

“In response to the incredible outpouring of love from New Yorkers and the strength of new partnerships stepping forward, we are proud to reactivate Bronx Week 2026 and continue celebrating the pride and spirit of our borough. The Bronx has always been a borough defined by resilience, strength, and community. Time and time again, Bronxites rise to the moment, supporting one another, and we are excited to celebrate together once again. When we say the Bronx leads, it means we lead together in partnership and in purpose,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“When I initiated Bronx Day and expanded it to Bronx Week more than 50 years ago, I felt it was an important ingredient in creating unity among the diverse communities in the borough. It developed pride by recognizing the strengths and assets of the diverse people and neighborhoods of the Bronx. It is crucial to maintain this vital effort in today’s polarized world,” said former Bronx Borough President Robert Abrams.

“Bronx Week has long been a celebration of the vibrant culture, rich history, and thriving businesses that make our borough special. It was great to see Borough President Gibson build on the momentum of our successful relaunch of Bronx Day in Albany by announcing its return. Now is the perfect time to continue to spotlight the Bronx and remind the world why our borough is the best in the city,” said Senator Nathalia Fernandez.

“The reactivation of Bronx Week 2026 is a powerful testament to the resilience and unyielding spirit of our borough. Bronx Week is a vital engine for economic development that shines a spotlight on our local businesses, boosts community engagement, and showcases the rich cultural diversity that makes the Bronx the heartbeat of New York. I am proud to stand with my colleagues in government and our dedicated partners to ensure this year’s festivities are a resounding success. By investing in our businesses and neighbors, we invest in ourselves,” said Senator Jamaal Bailey.

“The Bronx has always been a cultural powerhouse built on resilience, creativity, and a deep sense of community pride. As we celebrate Bronx Week and welcome the return of Bronx Day in Albany, we’re making it clear that the Bronx is not just part of the conversation; we’re helping lead it. The Bronx has long shaped New York’s culture, leadership, and future—from our small businesses and artists to the families and organizers who hold our communities together. This moment is about honoring where we come from, uplifting everything our borough has to offer, and making sure the Bronx continues to be recognized, respected, and centered in the future of our state,” said Assembly Member Chantel Jackson.

“Bronx Week has long been a powerful reflection of the culture, energy, and entrepreneurial spirit that define our borough,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “I’m proud to stand with Borough President Gibson, my colleagues, and our community partners in supporting its return. This celebration brings people together, uplifts our local businesses, and showcases the best of what the Bronx has to offer.”

“I am thrilled that Bronx Week is back on for 2026! Every corner of our community came together to make this happen, and with their continued enthusiasm, support, and guidance, we will have the best celebration of our borough yet. I look forward to working with the Borough President and her team to continue to channel the community’s pride and spirit and make the most of this moment,” said Council Member Justin Sanchez.

“I know putting Bronx Week on pause was not an easy decision, but I am grateful for our Borough President’s leadership in securing the necessary support to make this happen this year and for the overwhelming support from our communities. I look forward to working with the Borough President and my colleagues in government to make this Bronx Week 2026 a huge success,” said Council Member Althea Stevens.

“Bronx Week is a celebration of everything that makes our borough extraordinary,” said Council Member Eric Dinowitz. “I’m thrilled to see Bronx Week return in 2026, and I want to thank Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, my colleagues in government, and our community partners for working together to make this celebration possible. Events like Bronx Week not only bring our communities together but also support our local businesses and showcase the very best of the Bronx to the entire city and the world.”

“Supporting our local businesses is always a priority for us, and the reactivation and reimagining of Bronx Week presents a powerful opportunity to uplift our entrepreneurs, strengthen economic growth, and boost tourism across our borough. I look forward to our collaboration with Borough President Gibson, colleagues in government, and our community partners to ensure this renewed Bronx Week celebration reflects the resilience, pride, and spirit of the Bronx,” said Lisa Sorin, Executive Director of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

“BronxNet is honored to showcase the magnificence of the Bronx through Bronx Week. We look forward to bringing the incredible celebrations, festivities, community forums, and honoree ceremonies to a wider audience on BronxNet channels and multiple platforms. Bronx Week is loaded with inspirational activities for the Bronx and the world,” said Michael Max Knobbe, Executive Director, BronxNet Television.

“The 161st Street BID is ecstatic that Bronx Week is officially coming back for another year. Bronx Week plays an important role in spotlighting our borough and serves as an economic development tool for many of our commercial corridors. Our BID looks forward to collaborating with Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for this new iteration of Bronx Week, and we hope that events that we already have planned for the spring and summer, like the Bronx Night Market, can work seamlessly into the reactivation of Bronx Week,” said Trey Jenkins, Executive Director of the 161st Street Business Improvement District.

“Morris Park BID is grateful to the Bronx Borough President’s Office for hearing our voices as the borough’s leading economic development experts, on the importance of continuing the meaningful tradition of celebrating the spirit of the Bronx, as we did for over 50 years. In the “America 250” and “FIFA World Cup” year, “Bronx Week” will again add to small businesses’ success, boost visits to our neighborhoods, and showcase the Bronx for what we are: hard-working, committed to improvement, and always aiming higher. We thank our BIDs colleagues for their advocacy and our Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson for her diligence and leadership,” said Dr. Camelia Tepelus, Executive Director, Morris Park Business Improvement District.

“I was excited and proud to hear the Borough President’s announcement that the long tradition of Bronx Week is back on the calendar. The Third Avenue BID will be hosting spring and summer events that align well with the theme of Bronx Week, and we look forward to partnering with her office in showcasing the best of the Bronx,” said Pedro Suarez, Executive Director, Third Avenue Business Improvement District.

“Bronx Week is a powerful celebration of the pride, creativity, and resilience that define our borough. We are grateful to the Bronx Borough President for reactivating this important tradition and creating an opportunity for residents, cultural institutions, and families to celebrate what makes our borough extraordinary. At the Bronx Children’s Museum, we see every day how meaningful it is for children and families to experience the culture, history, and stories of the Bronx and to feel proud of the community they call home,” said Denise Rosario Adusei, Executive Director, Bronx Children’s Museum.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON BRONX WEEK 2026

Bronx, NY- Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson announced today that Bronx Week 2026 will be paused and will not move forward as traditionally planned, as the Borough President’s Office shifts its focus in response to a significant budget deficit and the broader fiscal challenges facing New York City.

The Borough President emphasized that this decision was not made lightly, but rather with careful consideration of the moment facing the City and the needs of Bronx residents.

“This is not the end of Bronx Week; it is a pause,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “During the start of our next chapter, this moment gives us the opportunity to reimagine what Bronx Week can and should look like for the future. We want it to return stronger, more inclusive, more impactful, and reflective of the full spirit and pride of our Borough.”

The decision also comes as the Borough President’s Office re-evaluates inherited partnerships to ensure they meet the standards of the Borough President’s Office and achieve the maximum impact for the Borough. The office is undertaking a broader evaluation of its partnerships to ensure alignment with its fiscal responsibilities and long-term vision for the Borough.

“Bronx Week remains a cherished institution, and we are deeply grateful to the sponsors, community partners, media partners, staff, volunteers, and supporters who have made it such a tremendous success,” Gibson added. “We look forward to celebrating together again next year. Until then, our focus remains on the critical work ahead and delivering meaningful, measurable impact for the residents and families we are honored to serve.”

“I applaud our Borough President for keeping Bronxites front and center during these challenging times. Her difficult decision reflects a commitment to responsible leadership and being a good steward of the public trust. While Bronx Week is a cherished tradition that celebrates the pride and culture of our borough, we understand the incredible importance of making fiscally responsible decisions. I look forward to continuing our partnership with the Borough President’s Office to support initiatives that strengthen our local economy and uplift businesses and communities across the Bronx,” said Lisa Sorin, President & CEO, Bronx Chamber of Commerce.

“Bronx Week has always been an important moment for our borough to come together and celebrate the culture, businesses, and community spirit that make the Bronx so special. While we will certainly miss the celebration this year, I support Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson’s decision to pause the event in light of the current fiscal climate. Responsible leadership requires making thoughtful and sometimes difficult decisions to ensure public resources are used wisely. We appreciate the Borough President’s continued commitment to supporting Bronx businesses and look forward to working together to strengthen our commercial corridors and local economy in the months ahead,” said Trey Jenkins, 161st Street Business Improvement District Executive Director.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS FOURTH ANNUAL BRONX IFTAR DINNER DIALOGUE UNDER THE THEME "UNITY IN DIVERSITY"

Bronx, NY— On Thursday, March 5th, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Emblem Health, Ponce Bank, Rethink Food, Afrikana, EV Love, Morris Heights Health Center, the Council of People’s Organization, ICNA Relief, the African Advisory Council, Muslim advocates, faith leaders, and community partners at Bronx Borough Hall for the 4th Annual Bronx Iftar Dinner Dialogue in celebration of Ramadan. Yahay Obeid, Outreach Liaison for the Bronx Muslim Center and President of Arab American Aviation Professionals, served as the emcee for the evening, with performances by the Bronx Muslim Center and remarks from NYPD Detective Amen.

The annual Iftar Dinner Dialogue brought together Bronx residents, faith leaders, elected officials, and community partners to reflect on the meaning of Ramadan and celebrate the borough’s rich cultural and religious diversity. The evening provided an opportunity for community members to gather in fellowship, share reflections of faith and service, and strengthen relationships across communities.

“As we gather as a borough during the holy month of Ramadan, we are reminded of the values of compassion, generosity, and unity that bring our communities together,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “The Bronx is home to a vibrant and diverse Islamic community whose leadership, service, and cultural contributions strengthen our borough each and every day. This annual Iftar dinner dialogue allows us to come together in reflection and fellowship while honoring those who continue to uplift and support our communities.”

The program also included reflections on Ramadan and fasting, remarks from Borough President Gibson, and a recognition ceremony honoring community leaders for their service and contributions across the Bronx and New York City. This year’s honorees included Zennatul Ferdos, Ishaq Alper, Imam Wesley Lebron, Ago Kolenovic, Hafiz Hako of Omeragic, Imam Abdul Azeez, Sahar Aziz, Marjorie (Maajeida) Farrell, Hatou Camara, Mercy Bakery, and Sanasa Kaba. The evening concluded with the call to prayer and the breaking of the fast. The evening concluded with the call to prayer by NYPD Detective Amen.

Dear Neighbor,

In response to the recent fires in our borough, we are continuing our fire safety education workshops in partnership with the American Red Cross, the FDNY, and local community organizations.

These workshops focus on fire prevention, safety tips, and the steps families can take to protect their homes and loved ones. We encourage everyone to participate and to stay tuned for upcoming dates, times, and locations.

I also want to share information about the Enhanced Energy Affordability Program (EEAP), which offers monthly bill discounts to eligible residential customers in New York City and Westchester County. Eligibility depends on household size and income level, and households earning below the area median income may qualify. If you think you might qualify, we encourage you to apply and take advantage of this support.

On Friday, March 6, and Saturday, March 7, the New York City Department of Transportation will conduct urgent overnight repairs on the Eastern Blvd Bridge (Bruckner Blvd Bridge). The bridge and nearby local streets will be fully closed from 11:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Please plan ahead and allow for additional travel time during those hours.

Lastly, the 2026 Borough Cultural Grant application portal is now open! Organizations interested in applying must submit their applications by 5:00 PM on Monday, March 23, 2026. We encourage eligible organizations to apply and help us continue supporting arts and culture throughout our borough. Click the link to learn more and determine eligibility.

Warm Regards,

Vanessa L. Gibson

Bronx Borough President

IN THE COMMUNITY

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS INAUGURAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT BRONX BOROUGH HALL RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES

Our borough mourns the passing of Anthony Artuso Sr., cherished owner of Artuso Pastry Shop and a beloved pillar of the Belmont community.

In Belmont, he was a friend, a neighbor, and a steward of Arthur Avenue’s rich cultural heritage.

We extend our deepest condolences to the Artuso family and all who loved him.

May his memory be a blessing, and may his legacy continue to inspire generations to come.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS INAUGURAL LUNAR NEW YEAR CELEBRATION AT BRONX BOROUGH HALL RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES

Bronx, NY—Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson hosted the first-ever Lunar New Year celebration at Bronx Borough Hall, marking a historic first and honoring the rich cultural traditions and contributions of Asian American communities across the Bronx.

Celebrating the Year of the Fire Horse, the event brought together residents, community leaders, and cultural organizations for an afternoon of community celebration and recognition. The program featured cultural presentations, interactive art pieces, performances, and a keynote address from New York State Assembly Member Grace Lee, who also serves as the Chairwoman for the NYS Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force.

Cultural programming featured live calligraphy from artists with the New York Chinese Cultural Arts organization, offering residents the opportunity to receive traditional calligraphy featuring their names and Lunar New Year blessings. Performances by the Kalmyk Heritage Center highlighted Mongolian cultural dance, showcasing the diversity of traditions represented in the borough.

“This inaugural Lunar New Year Celebration is an opportunity to recognize the vibrant Asian American communities that continue to help shape the cultural fabric of our borough every day,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Our borough is at its strongest when we uplift and celebrate each other’s cultures and create space for community connection to ensure that every resident feels seen, valued, and represented.”

During the celebration, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson presented awards to community leaders, including Andy Lin, Chairman of the United Nations Commutech Group; Lana Tu, Chairwoman of the Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Committee at the NYC Administration for Children’s Services; and the Kalmyk Heritage Center, honoring them for their leadership and contributions to advancing and uplifting Asian American & Pacific Islander communities in the Bronx and beyond.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT EASTWOOD MANOR RECOGNIZING THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF BLACK HISTORY MONTH IN THE UNITED STATES

Bronx, NY—Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson proudly hosted her annual Black History Month celebration at Eastwood Manor, commemorating the 100th anniversary of Black History Month in the United States under the theme, “100 Years of Black Excellence: Standing in Legacy and Longevity.”

The event honored the profound contributions, resilience, and enduring legacy of African Americans whose leadership continues to shape the Bronx, New York City, and the world. The program featured live musical performances, community reflections, and a keynote address from Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. PIX 11 News Reporter James Ford served as the Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

“As we mark 100 years of celebrating Black History in this country, we are reminded that Black excellence did not begin a century ago, and it certainly does not end here,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Black history is American history. It is the story of perseverance in the face of injustice, innovation in the face of exclusion, and leadership rooted in faith, family, and community. Tonight, we celebrate the pioneers and trailblazers whose shoulders we proudly stand on and recommit ourselves to building a borough where opportunity, equity, and dignity are not aspirations, but a reality for every Bronx resident.”

Honorees for this year’s celebration include Dwayne Johnson of Johnson’s BBQ; Lorraine Rohlsen-Alexander of Tennis Lady Co-op City; Jacqueline Bergland, Choir Director at Celia Criz High School; Dr. Charles J. Gibbs, President of Metropolitan College of NY; Youth Honoree and Cardinal Hayes High School Student Kiwana Yates and Dr. Johnnie Goff, Founder and President of JADE Multi Family Circle Center, receiving the Aurelia Greene award.

Each honoree was recognized for their unwavering commitment to education, mentorship, and community empowerment, embodying the spirit of excellence and service that defines our borough.

For more information about upcoming events from the Office of the Bronx Borough President, please contact our office at 718-590-3500 or www.bronxboropres.nyc.gov.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON JOINS THE NEW YORK STATE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND EMBLEM HEALTH TO KICK OFF FUTURE FOCUS BRONX EMPLOYMENT FAIRS

Building on last year’s Future Forward Bronx initiative to prepare residents for the jobs of today and tomorrow

Bronx, NY- On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor, joined Emblem Health to host a hiring event as part of the Borough President’s Future Focus Bronx initiative announced during her 2026 inauguration. This initiative is a boroughwide effort that will focus on employment fairs at Borough Hall with workforce development resources to prepare residents for the jobs of tomorrow. Future Focus Bronx expands on the foundation laid by last year’s Future Forward Bronx initiative, continuing the Borough President’s mission to expand pathways to careers and economic mobility, support local talent, and connect Bronx residents directly with employers.

The sales hiring event brought together job seekers from across the borough with recruiters from EmblemHealth, NYSDOL, and others, who shared information about available healthcare sales and service positions. Attendees also received guidance on application steps, resume preparation, and the interview process.

“Our Future Focus Bronx initiative is focused on ensuring residents have access to real opportunities and career pathways that lead to lasting economic mobility,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Through our partnership with the New York State Department of Labor and employers like EmblemHealth, we are committed to building equitable employment opportunities through investments in our borough’s workforce.”

“At the New York State Department of Labor, our mission is to help New Yorkers find a career they love, and events like this offer residents significant long-term career opportunities right here in their own neighborhood,” said New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon. “This partnership allows us to actively support the growth of the vital health care industry, and we encourage all New Yorkers to use opportunities like this to take their careers to the next level.”

“We thank Borough President Gibson for hosting this event and creating opportunities for Bronx residents to explore careers with EmblemHealth,” said Michael Palmateer, Chief Executive Officer of EmblemHealth. “We’re proud to hire locally and to build a team of people who understand the members and neighborhoods we serve.”

For more information on future employment fairs, please contact the Bronx Borough President’s office at 718-590-3500 or www.bronxboropres.nyc.gov.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON HOLDS INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

Bronx, NY – On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson was sworn in for a second term as the 14th Bronx Borough President during an inauguration ceremony held at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. The ceremony marked the official start of the Borough President’s second term under the theme “The Bronx Leads” with a focus on the Bronx`s Next Chapter.

The inauguration brought together community members, faith leaders, and elected officials to celebrate Borough President Gibson’s continued leadership and vision for the Bronx. The program was emceed by journalist Debralee Santos, Editor in Chief of The Manhattan Times and The Bronx Free Press, and featured welcoming remarks from Dr. Fernando Delgado, President of Lehman College.

The ceremony also included multiple invocations from faith leaders, the presentation of colors by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation`s Ceremonial Unit, and musical performances that reflected the Bronx’s rich cultural legacy, including performances by the Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music Choir, the Renaissance Youth Center, and the Bombazo Dance Company.

Notable attendees included New York State Attorney General Letitia James, who administered the oath of office, Congressman Ritchie Torres, New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark, and New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli. Additional city and state elected officials were also in attendance for the celebration.

“This inauguration marks a celebration of how far we have come as a borough and where we are going,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Our blueprint, The Bronx Leads,reaffirms our administration’s commitment to building a borough where every family can thrive, live in safe communities, be healthy, and have access to resources and opportunities. Our second term is about deepening the progress we have made by continuing to invest in our neighborhoods and ensuring that the voices of Bronx residents remain at the center of every decision we make to ensure we move this borough forward with purpose, pride, and progress.”

Following the swearing-in ceremony, the Borough President delivered her inaugural address, outlining priorities for the next four years and reaffirming her administration’s focus on public safety, education, health equity, economic development, tourism, and community-centered leadership.

Major announcements included:

Future Focus Bronx, a workforce development and employment initiative focused on the responsible use of AI and the jobs of tomorrow.

Bronx Mental Health for All, expanding access to culturally competent, trauma-informed mental health care for youth and older adults, including survivors of domestic violence, LGBTQ+ residents, people living with HIV, and individuals with substance use disorders.

Bronx Asthma & Respiratory Health Equity Initiative, addressing the borough’s high asthma rates and including advocacy for a Bronx Asthma Center, a centralized hub for prevention, care coordination, research, and community education.

Bronx Diabetes Taskforce, launched in partnership with Health People, bringing together advocates and leaders from hospitals, community-based organizations, and health providers.

The opening of the first-ever Hip Hop Museum, celebrating and cementing the Bronx’s role as the birthplace of this legendary music genre.

The opening of a blood center in the Bronx to address the borough’s blood supply crisis.

The release of an Affordable Housing Guide and first-ever homeownership event at Bronx Borough Hall hosted by this administration.

The expansion of the Bronx Museum of the Arts` South Wing.

Dear Neighbor,

We have great news! Our 2026 Community Board Applications have now been extended to March 1st. Our 12 Community Boards in the Bronx give those with a vested interest in their community the opportunity to help shape neighborhood priorities and local decision-making. If you’re ready to be part of the change you wish to see in your community and to help build the Bronx’s future, we encourage eligible residents to apply!

This past Sunday, we hosted our Community Inauguration at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts. Sunday’s inauguration marked a celebration of how far we have come as a borough and all that we look forward to accomplishing in our second term.

This year’s blueprint, The Bronx Leads, reaffirms our administration’s commitment to building a borough where every family can thrive, live in safe communities, be healthy, and have access to resources and opportunities.

The next four years are about deepening the progress we have made by continuing to invest in our neighborhoods and ensuring that the voices of Bronx residents remain at the center of every decision that we make.

Thank you to our emcee, Debralee Santos, Lehman College President Fernando Delgado and his team, BronxNet Television, our faith leaders, performers, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation’s Color Guard, colleagues in government, community leaders, task forces and councils, Attorney General Letitia James, for administering the oath of office, my amazing family, and everyone who attended last night’s event for their support and partnership over the past four years.

I look forward to continuing to serve as your Bronx Borough President for this season and for this next chapter.

Warm Regards,

Vanessa L. Gibson

Bronx Borough President

For real-time updates and event highlights, remember to follow us on Social Media:

FACEBOOK: @BronxBp

INSTAGRAM: @Bronxbpgibson

TWITTER: @BronxBp

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON'S STATEMENT ON RECENT VIOLENCE AND LOSS IN KINGSBRIDGE

“Our borough is heartbroken and in mourning after the tragic shooting that took the life of a 16-year-old teenager, and two others were left injured. This devastating incident comes amid a troubling period of gun violence across our borough, leaving too many of our families and community members feeling unsafe in their own neighborhoods.

This tragedy is another painful reminder of the work that must continue to rid our communities of guns, the urgency of more recreational and youth-based programs, and the need for ongoing community engagement. The school community is receiving additional counseling and support staff for students and staff. We have been in contact with the NYPD, School Superintendents, Principals, and school leaders. We will continue to closely monitor this tragedy as the investigation continues.

As we await more information, we ask that everyone continue to keep the victims, their families, and loved ones in their prayers during this incredibly difficult time.

I want to thank the NYPD, first responders, and emergency medical personnel for continuing to respond with care and compassion under these heartbreaking circumstances.

If you have any information that may assist these investigations, we urge you to contact the local authorities and to use your voice to bring accountability and prevent further loss and tragedy in our communities.”

This violence is unacceptable, and we will never treat this as normal anywhere in our borough.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS WORLD HIJAB DAY FASHION SHOW AT BRONX BOROUGH HALL

Bronx, NY—On Thursday, February 5, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with Bronx Fashion Week and Style Esteem Wardrobe, hosted a World Hijab Day Fashion Show at Bronx Borough Hall, celebrating identity, inclusion, and community while standing in solidarity with women who wear the hijab.

The event welcomed community members to engage in conversation, hear lived experiences, and watch a vibrant fashion show highlighting culture, expression, and empowerment. Attendees also participated in an interactive “Experience the Hijab” segment, where women could wear a hijab and learn firsthand about its cultural significance.

“Celebrating World Hijab Day reminds us that cultural inclusion begins with understanding,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Today, Borough Hall became a safe space where women shared their stories, culture, and lived experiences, and where our community came together in respect and solidarity. In the Bronx, we embrace, celebrate, and protect diversity. This spirit of unity and togetherness is what continues to move our borough forward.”

The program also featured remarks from Borough President Gibson, a panel discussion exploring the personal, cultural, and religious perspectives of the hijab, a Q&A session on myths, misconceptions, and facts, and a red carpet walk to close the celebration.

The fashion showcase was led by Bronx Fashion Week and designer and women’s health advocate, Sonya Keshwani, founder of Style Esteem Wardrobe NYC, whose work centers on identity, dignity, and empowerment for women through fashion. Drawing from her own lived experience as a breast cancer survivor, Keshwani’s design reflects the intersections of personal style, resilience, and cultural pride.

Partners and sponsors for the event included Emblem Health, ICNA Relief, Bronx Fashion Week, Style Esteem Wardrobe, Brittany Beauty Academy, and American Beauty School.

World Hijab Day, observed globally on February 1, is dedicated to fostering religious tolerance and understanding by inviting women of all backgrounds to learn about and experience the hijab. Through the event, Bronx Borough Hall served as a space for education, community dialogue, and celebration of the diverse cultures that make up the Bronx community.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON TO HOLD INAUGURATION CEREMONY AT LEHMAN CENTER FOR PERFORMING ARTS

Bronx, NY—On Sunday, February 1, 2026, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson will be sworn in for a second term as the 14th Bronx Borough President at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, joined by community members, elected officials, and other dignitaries. Under the theme “The Bronx Leads,” the inauguration will outline the Borough President’s vision for the next four years and reaffirm her commitment to delivering results for Bronx families.

WHAT: Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson will be sworn in for a second term as the 14th Bronx Borough President at the Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, with community members, elected officials, and other dignitaries in attendance.

WHEN: Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 3:00 pm, doors open at 2:00 pm

WHERE: Lehman Center for the Performing Arts, 250 Bedford Park Blvd W, Bronx, NY 10468

RSVP: Send an email to pressinquiry@bronxbp.nyc.gov confirming your attendance by Friday, January 30th, 2026

A livestream of the event will also be available on BronxNet.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON'S STATEMENT ON CON-ED RATE HIKES

Bronx, NY– “Con Edison’s proposed rate hikes are unacceptable and would place an even heavier burden on hardworking New Yorkers facing an affordability crisis in our city. The proposed hikes of 11.4% for electric and 13.3% for gas would further strain household budgets for low-income and middle-class New Yorkers who are simply trying to stay warm, keep the lights on, and make ends meet.

In the Bronx, residents are already burdened by the high cost of living and high energy bills. These proposed hikes would push too many residents further into financial strain and hardship. As New Yorkers face increased uncertainty, they must now cope with cuts to benefits and services from Washington, and Con Edison’s addition to this burden is unacceptable.

I join advocates, community leaders, and my fellow colleagues in government in calling on the Public Service Commission to reject these unfair rate-hike proposals. New Yorkers deserve a city and an energy system that is affordable, transparent, and accountable. We must work toward solutions that protect working families in our city.”

STATEMENT FROM BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL'S 2026 STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS

“Today, Governor Kathy Hochul’s State of the State Address outlined a clear, forward-looking agenda focused on affordability, public safety, and protecting New Yorkers during a time of continued economic and social uncertainty. As we enter the new year, I commend Governor Hochul’s leadership and commitment to delivering meaningful solutions for working families and communities across our state.

Keeping our Communities Safe:

Public safety remains a top concern for Bronx residents, and Governor Hochul’s comprehensive approach to preventing violence and keeping communities safe through investments of $3 billion toward public safety initiatives statewide along with efforts to block 3D printers from producing firearms and ending the sale of handguns that can be converted into semi-automatic weapons, reflects a strong commitment to prevention accountability and community well-being.

Childcare:

The rising cost of childcare continues to place an immense burden on working families. I strongly support the Governor’s $8 billion investment in childcare, which will significantly expand access and reduce costs for parents to as low as $15 per week. These investments are critical to strengthening our workforce and ensuring families are not forced to choose between employment and caring for their children.

Affordable Housing:

Housing affordability remains one of the most pressing challenges facing the Bronx and communities across New York State. The Governor’s ongoing investment in statewide affordable housing, including millions of dollars allocated specifically for the Bronx, is a crucial step toward helping families stay in their neighborhoods and achieve long-term stability.

Protecting Immigrant Communities:

The Bronx is a borough built by immigrants, and I stand with Governor Hochul in condemning aggressive federal enforcement tactics that sow fear and harm in our communities. New York must continue to refuse to use state resources for federal raids and ensure that spaces such as schools and places of worship remain protected from federal interference.

Responsible Artificial Intelligence:

As technology continues to evolve, I commend the Governor for advancing legislation that promotes transparency and accountability in artificial intelligence. Requiring disclosure when AI-generated content is used and identifying its sources will help safeguard New Yorkers and foster public trust in new technologies.

I look forward to continuing to work in partnership with Governor Hochul, our State legislative colleagues, and City leaders to ensure these commitments translate into meaningful outcomes for Bronx residents and families across New York State.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT FOLLOWING HER RECOMMENDATION ON THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY

Bronx, NY—Last week, Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson held a public hearing on the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory and following the release of her recommendation issued the statement below.

“Last week’s public hearing was a powerful continuation of the community focused engagement that has defined the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment process from the very beginning.

The redevelopment of this historic castle in the heart of the Northwest Bronx is a testament to our shared commitment to bringing unprecedented investment back into our communities. The voices we heard during last week`s public hearing made it abundantly clear that Bronxites are ready to see the Kingsbridge Armory reimagined into something bold, inclusive, and enduring. Residents, advocates, union representatives, elected officials, and community leaders showed up to ensure that this project will have affordable housing opportunities, good-paying union jobs with pathways to the middle class, recreational space for youth and families, support for small businesses, and a true commitment to equitable economic development in the Bronx that we have not seen in our borough for decades.

These ideologies were the focus of the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan which was a nine-month visioning process that began in 2022, reached over 4,000 community members via 20 public events and 900 survey responses, all of which were to help guide this process. Guiding principles such as uplifting youth, creating jobs and generational wealth for families and communities, establishing a regenerative local economy, and maximizing community ownership were identified for the Armory. For too long the Bronx has been excluded from conversations that would promise deep investment in our borough but with this redevelopment project, we are righting the wrongs of the past and starting a bold new chapter.

My conditional recommendation was additive to what has been already proposed to ensure the future of the Kingsbridge Armory not just meets these directives but exceeds them. I want to ensure the Kingsbridge Armory proposal will be built by and for the people of The Bronx. To ensure this happens, I have also allocated $3 million of my capital funding to support the armory proposal.

I look forward to continuing our work with Governor Kathy Hochul, Mayor Eric Adams, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, 8th Regiment Partners, Sandra Lobo and the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, my colleagues in government, community leaders, and advocates to ensure that this project reflects the vision and values of the community it serves and blueprint put forth in the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan. Success here will depend not just on what is built, but on how it is built, through deep partnerships, long-term investment, and ongoing accountability to The Bronx communities this project is meant to serve.

Together, we will transform the Kingsbridge Armory into a vibrant and thriving economic hub that supports the creation of new housing, workforce development, strengthens local businesses, and creates new opportunities for generations of Bronx residents.”

STATEMENT FROM THE BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON ON BLACK WOMEN’S EQUAL PAY DAY

“Black Women’s Equal Pay Day is a sobering reminder of the structural inequities that Black women continue to face in our country. Black women still earn 66 cents for every dollar paid to white men, forcing them to work nearly eight extra months to be compensated the same amount as their white male counterparts. This pay gap is a systemic injustice that affects countless families and communities in the Bronx, New York City, New York State, and beyond. As the first Black Woman to serve as Bronx Borough President, I am proud to join the countless voices of advocates who are on the frontlines continuing the fight for accountability, transparency, and economic policies that ensure Black Women are paid what they have rightfully earned.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON CITY COUNCIL’S DISAPPROVAL OF BALLY’S AT FERRY POINT CASINO PROPOSAL

“I am incredibly disappointed by the City Council’s decision to disapprove the Bally’s at Ferry Point Casino proposal land use applications earlier this week.

The land use vote was not about approving a casino, it was about leveling the playing field for equal economic opportunity in our Borough. The road to obtaining a license to operate a casino, let alone actually building one, is a long process. Applicants face fierce competition, rigorous scrutiny, and multiple layers of input and approval, including from local elected officials and community stakeholders.

Notably, an overwhelming majority of our Bronx Council Members did indeed support giving The Bronx a fair shot. I want to recognize and thank our Delegation, Council Members Rafael Salamanca Jr., Kevin C. Riley, Eric Dinowitz, Oswald Feliz, Althea Stevens and Majority Leader Amanda Farías for standing up for The Bronx.

The Land Use vote and City Council vote was against The Bronx having a chance to gain thousands of good-paying, stable, union jobs; unprecedented cultural, education, public safety improvements and transportation investments. Which would have provided countless opportunities for upward social mobility and pathways to the middle class for our Borough.

This decision will not deter our work as an Administration, but we will continue to show up and partner with elected officials and community stakeholders that will invest in the economic development of the Bronx.”

STATEMENT FROM BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON ON THE TRAGIC DEATH OF SANIYAH CHEATHAM WHILE IN NYPD CUSTODY

“Our community is devastated and in absolute mourning over the tragic death of 18-year-old Saniyah Cheatham while in police custody in our borough. We are standing with the family during this painful time and demanding full accountability and transparency. At a time when we continue to work to build trust and partnership with the NYPD, we must also ensure that this family’s pain and trauma is acknowledged as they seek answers and justice for Saniyah. The NYPD’s Force Investigations Unit is overseeing the investigation, and we will be monitoring the situation as more information is made available.”

“As the Cheatham family seeks a clear and honest account of what happened to their loved one, we ask that everyone continue to keep them in your prayers.”

BRONX BOROUGH PRESIDENT VANESSA L. GIBSON'S STATEMENT ON THE SEIZURE OF CANNABIS AT A MOTT HAVEN APARTMENT BUILDING

“Yesterday’s seizure of hundreds of pounds of cannabis, large sums of money, and boxes of fireworks at the Estela Apartments in the Mott Haven section is deeply concerning and came as a shock to all who live and work in this community. This is a home to families and children who live and play here. Were it not for multiple calls to 311 by concerned residents of the smell of marijuana, this could have gone on indefinitely. I want to thank Mayor Adams, and the Sheriff’s Office, for their swift action on this, particularly as it relates to the fireworks. Their actions to secure this neighborhood will ensure its safety and peace for those who access it.””Yesterday’s seizure of hundreds of pounds of cannabis, large sums of money, and boxes of fireworks at the Estela Apartments in the Mott Haven section is deeply concerning and came as a shock to all who live and work in this community. This is a home to families and children who live and play here. Were it not for multiple calls to 311 by concerned residents of the smell of marijuana, this could have gone on indefinitely. I want to thank Mayor Adams, and the Sheriff’s Office, for their swift action on this, particularly as it relates to the fireworks. Their actions to secure this neighborhood will ensure its safety and peace for those who access it.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON FY26 BUDGET ADOPTION

“As our city experiences an economic crisis and there is uncertainty over the support we could receive from the federal government, I want to applaud Mayor Eric Adams, Speaker Adrienne Adams, and the New York City Council on yesterday`s $115.9 billion budget adoption. The FY26 budget reverses cuts to many of the critical programs our residents rely on to support themselves and their families, which will help stabilize our borough. Increased support for early childhood education, immigrant legal services, investments in our parks and open spaces, the expansion of library hours, $2 million to create the South Bronx Community Justice Center, $51.1 million in food access support, comprising $36.1 million for the Community Food Connection Program, and a $15 million enhancement for community-based emergency food programs at a time when we are facing potential cuts to SNAP are among some of the major wins in this budget for our borough.

We will continue to work with the Adams Administration and the New York City Council to advocate for the needs of our residents and families. As we navigate these challenging economic times, we remain committed to fighting for sustained and equitable investment in the Bronx, building on the progress we’ve made and pushing for even greater gains for our communities.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON GOVERNOR HOCHUL CODIFYING NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF GUN VIOLENCE PREVENTION INTO LAW

“By codifying the New York State Office of Gun Violence Prevention into law, Governor Kathy Hochul is sending a clear message that addressing the gun violence crisis is a top priority for New York State. In the Bronx, we have seen firsthand the devastating impact of gun violence on our communities. We have seen innocent lives lost, families shattered, and futures forever altered.

I want to thank Governor Hochul for being a true partner in this fight and investing in real solutions that help protect our families and strengthen our communities. Together, we will continue to work with our colleagues in government, violence interrupters, clergy, youth organizations, and local leaders to ensure our neighborhoods receive the resources they need to heal and be safe.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON CITY COUNIL PASSAGE OF HOME RULE SUPPORTING THE FAMILY OF NYPD DETECTIVE MIOSOTIS FAMILIA The ongoing summer cleanup series empowers youth volunteers to beautify Bronx neighborhoods and take action

“Our borough is in mourning and absolute shock over the tragic and senseless death of two-year-old Montrell Williams. When a precious young life is taken from us, it tears at the very fabric of our community.

We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Montrell’s family and all those who are grieving during this time of unimaginable pain. No mother or family should ever have to experience this kind of heartbreaking loss.

I am thankful to the NYPD, our emergency responders, and city agencies who worked tirelessly throughout this investigation. My office remains in close contact with our law enforcement partners and stands ready to support the family and our community in any way that we can.

Please pray for comfort, healing, and strength for Montrell`s family as they navigate this unbearable grief. We will continue to stand with them.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT’S STATEMENT ON CITY COUNIL PASSAGE OF HOME RULE SUPPORTING THE FAMILY OF NYPD DETECTIVE MIOSOTIS FAMILIA The ongoing summer cleanup series empowers youth volunteers to beautify Bronx neighborhoods and take action

“The City Council’s unanimous passage of the Home Rule Message (SLR 7- 2025) is a significant and long overdue step toward justice for the Miosotis family and other children of fallen first responders in our city.

The Home Rule supports state legislation that would close a discriminatory loophole in New York’s pension system that has prohibited Genesis Villella and her siblings from accessing crucial benefits that their mother earned while serving in the New York City Police Department. For nearly eight years, Genesis has fought not only to keep her family together but to correct this injustice.

Detective Familia lost her life in service to the Bronx, and her courage, sacrifice, and commitment will never be forgotten. This legislation helps ensure that the families left behind, especially the children of fallen first responders, receive the critical care and support they deserve.

I want to thank Speaker Adrienne Adams and Majority Leader Amanda Farías for their leadership in championing this effort. Their advocacy brought this outdated and discriminatory loophole to the forefront and delivered real progress for Genesis Villella and her siblings. We will continue to stand with the Familia family and with every family who has sacrificed so much in service to our city.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON CELEBRATES HISTORIC AGREEMENT BY NORTHWEST BRONX COMMUNITY & CLERGY COALITION, 8TH REGIMENT PARTNERS & NYCEDC IN THE REDEVELOPMENT OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY

Bronx, NY- The Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition (NWBCCC), a local community and economic development organization, and 8th Regiment Partners, the developer selected by the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) to lead the Kingsbridge Armory redevelopment, have announced an unprecedented collaborative agreement to transform this historic landmark.

“From the very beginning, we have been committed to raising the standards of community engagement and ensuring that the reimagining of the Kingsbridge Armory is community-led, community-driven, and community-focused. The transformation of this historic castle in the heart of the West Bronx is more than a redevelopment project; it’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity to spark economic growth, empower our neighborhoods, and deliver on a promise of equity and opportunity. I want to congratulate 8th Regiment Partners and the Northwest Bronx Community & Clergy Coalition on this historic agreement, as well as NWBCCC`s collaboration with Council Member Pierina Sanchez in creating the Together for Kingsbridge Vision Plan. This visionary blueprint that is by us, for us, will help guide the creation of good-paying union jobs that will create pathways to the middle class, recreational space for our youth, workspaces for new and emerging businesses, and boost tourism like never before. Our borough is on the verge of an incredible renaissance, and I know the Kingsbridge Armory will be a powerful engine driving that transformation,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

Details of the agreement were unveiled during a press conference and rally held outside the Kingsbridge Armory on Tuesday, June 3. The announcement follows significant investments from both New York City and New York State, including $2 million from the Bronx Borough President’s Office. The Borough President has also pledged additional capital funding to help bring this transformative project to life

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON, BRONX DISTRICT ATTORNEY CLARK, & NYC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR AVILES-RAMOS, JOIN COMMUNITY LEADERS, THE NYPD, AND ADVOCATES TO LAUNCH GUN VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH WITH YOUTH-FOCUSED CALL TO ACTION The event highlighted youth programming, community action, and advocacy for stronger gun safety laws

Bronx, NY – Yesterday, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Bronx District Attorney Darcel. D. Clark, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, NYPD Patrol Borough Bronx Commander Benjamin Gurley, community leaders, youth advocates, and anti-gun violence leaders at Lou Gehrig Plaza to officially launch Gun Violence Awareness Month (GVAM) in the Bronx. With a disturbing rise in youth-related shootings and gun use, the Borough President and Bronx District Attorney used the press conference to call for community-first strategies to prevent gun violence and uplift Bronx youth.

The Borough President unveiled this year’s Bronx GVAM theme: “The Violence Stops With Us,” a borough-wide campaign that encourages residents to wear orange, attend community events, and share their stories on social media. She also spotlighted youth engagement initiatives, including community clean-up days and partnerships with local Cure Violence organizations.

“We are losing our children too soon and too often,” said Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “Gun violence is not only a public health crisis, it is also a youth crisis. It’s time we invest in our young people. Not just with words, but with real resources, programs, and legislation that keep them safe, seen, and supported. Peace is a lifestyle that we not only want, but deserve!”

“Here in the Bronx, we are tragically and sadly aware of gun violence EVERY month. The year is not half over yet, and we have seen 108 people shot, including 13 people under the age of 18. The shootings have become even more disturbing and shocking because we are seeing more and more children firing guns. In the past couple of months, we have charged 13-year-olds, 14-year-olds, and 15-year-olds with fatal shootings. This culture of violence must end. We cannot fail to be shocked and heartbroken when we hear of a 13-year-old alleged murderer. I know in my heart that as our community comes together with determination and purpose, we will reverse this trend of gun violence among our youth,” said Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark.

The Borough President also voiced strong support for state and federal action on ghost guns. In recent years, untraceable firearms have become a growing threat in New York City. Ghost gun recoveries by the NYPD have increased by 154% between 2020 and 2024. In 2023, Congressman Richie Torres (NY-15) introduced the Angellyh Yambo Gun Free Zone Expansion Act, named in honor of a Bronx teen tragically killed by gun violence. Torres has since urged Governor Kathy Hochul to take further action by closing ghost gun manufacturing loopholes at the state level.

Throughout the month, the Borough President’s Office will host a series of events focused on youth engagement and community empowerment, including community clean-ups, parent support workshops, and special programming for Bronx fathers. Residents are encouraged to tag @Bronxbpgibson and use the hashtag #TheViolenceStopsWithUS to share how they are participating in Gun Violence Awareness Month.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON AND NYS DEPARTMENT OF LABOR HOST “BRONX JOB CONNECTION: OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALL” EMPLOYMENT FAIR AT BOROUGH HALL Continuation of Future Forward Bronx Initiative with an inclusive job fair connecting residents to career opportunities and support services

Bronx, NY – On Thursday, May 29th, 2025, between 11:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, in partnership with the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL), hosted a borough-wide employment fair titled Bronx Job Connection: Opportunities for All. This event is part of the Borough President`s Future Forward Bronx Initiative, a joint effort to expand access to employment and career opportunities for Bronx residents.

This event brought together city agencies and workforce development organizations to meet with job seekers of all backgrounds and experience levels. Attendees had the opportunity to apply for jobs on-site and connect directly with service providers that support long-term career advancement.

“Our Bronx Job Connection: Opportunities for All is another important step in our efforts to close employment gaps and ensure that all Bronxites have access to good-paying jobs and stable careers,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “By bringing together employers and resources directly to our communities, we are removing barriers and opening the doors of Bronx Borough Hall to communities who have been historically underserved.”

This initiative is designed to respond to local labor needs and support residents navigating a rapidly evolving job market. Over 600 participants registered for the event, and 29 employers, including Bronx Works, Inc., Phipps Neighborhoods, and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, were in attendance.

“This partnership with the New York State Department of Labor demonstrates our commitment to workforce equity and inclusion,” Borough President Gibson continued. “When our residents have access to employment and career opportunities, our communities thrive. Together, we are building a stronger economic future and foundation for the Bronx.”

Visit the Bronx Borough President`s website for more information on future employment fairs.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS CHEESECAKE CRAWL WITH THE JEWISH COMMUNITY RELATIONS COUNCIL (JCRC) In recognition of the upcoming holiday of Shavuot and May as National Small Business Month

Bronx, NY – Earlier today, Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY, and Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, both former NYC Council Members, led a cheesecake crawl at Jewish bakeries in the Bronx to celebrate Shavuot and National Small Business Month. Cheesecake has become a beloved tradition of the Jewish holiday, and today’s event was a meaningful way to honor Shavuot while celebrating the vibrant Jewish community in the Bronx.

On Shavuot, Jewish people celebrate receiving the Torah at Mount Sinai with the beloved tradition of eating dairy foods, especially cheesecake. According to tradition, when the Israelites first learned the Torah’s dietary laws, they realized their prepared meat no longer met kosher standards, so they turned to dairy foods instead—a practical solution that became a cherished custom. This tradition also carries deeper symbolism, as the dairy evokes the biblical “land flowing with milk and honey” promised to Abraham’s descendants, connecting the giving of the Torah to God’s covenant with the Jewish people and the land of Israel.

“I am proud to join Mark Treyger and the Jewish Community Relations Council for this year’s Cheesecake Crawl as we celebrate Shavuot and National Small Business Month! Our local Kosher bakeries reflect the rich diversity and entrepreneurial spirit of the Bronx. These are businesses that have weathered pandemics and economic downturns, yet continue to thrive in our communities. Now more than ever, it’s important that we come together to uplift and support our small businesses one bite at a time,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“Shavuot marks a foundational moment that shaped our Jewish faith, values, and way of life,” said Mark Treyger, CEO of JCRC-NY. “Visiting these incredible Jewish-owned Bronx bakeries was a meaningful way to honor that history and celebrate the delicious traditions that bring us together. I’m deeply grateful to Borough President Gibson for her continued commitment to the Jewish community in the Bronx, and to the bakery owners and staff for warmly welcoming us. Shavuot is a time to celebrate community and the shared values that unite us, and today’s event truly embodied that spirit. It served as a powerful reminder that we must come together not only in times of crisis and sorrow but also in moments of joy. Joy is a form of strength, celebration can be an act of courage, and community remains our greatest defense against divisions.”

Treyger and Borough President Gibson visited S&S Cheesecake and Corner Café in Riverdale, where they sampled cheesecake and learned about each bakery’s history. S&S was founded in 1960 by Holocaust survivor Fred Schuster and is now run by his son-in-law, Yair, in its original Riverdale location. Their cheesecake recipe hasn’t changed in 65 years, which is reflected by their motto, “doing one thing well”. S&S supplies cheesecake to New York institutions like Peter Luger’s, The Palm, and Zabar’s. Corner Café and Bakery opened in 1989 in Riverdale. The owners, Cochana, who is Israeli, and Ken Dubin have been in the community ever since, and now own and operate Pizza Plus next door. Both establishments are kosher, local businesses with deep roots in the community. They not only craft delicious treats but also help their Jewish neighbors uphold cherished holiday traditions.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON CONDEMNS DETENTION OF BRONX STUDENT BY FEDERAL AUTHORITIES

“Dylan did everything right. He enrolled in school in our Borough and got his license to obtain a delivery job to take care of his younger siblings. It is outrageous and horrible to learn he was detained by federal authorities last week during a court appearance. This is unacceptable and nothing short of an injustice.

We demand accountability for Dylan, who has been separated from his family and school community. We must also protect our immigrant families who are being unfairly targeted and exploited by this administration by calling for a full investigation into this incident, so this injustice does not happen to any other member of our community.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON AND THE NATIONAL DOMINICAN DAY PARADE HOST BRONX DOMINICAN HERITAGE CELEBRATION Recognizing Bronxites during our kick-off event for the 43rd Anniversary of the National Dominican Day Parade

Bronx, NY – On Thursday, May 22nd, 2025, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined The National Dominican Day Parade Chairperson, Cristina Contreras, in celebrating Bronx Dominican Heritage and announcing the Bronx honorees for this year’s Parade. They are: Creative Marketing Director at Agape Printing Plus, Mimi Henriquez; Periodista, with La Prensa y Comunidad Hispana, Ramon Mercedes; Executive Director, of the Juan Pablo Duarte Foundation, Domingo Cruz; Bronx Regional Representative, with the NYS Executive Chamber, Office of the Governor, Fidel Malena; and Senior Vice President Executive Deputy Counsel with Acacia Network, Incorporated, Giamara M. Rosado.

“Our Dominican community is an essential part of the rich cultural fabric of our borough. As we celebrate the 43rd Anniversary of the National Dominican Day Parade, I’m proud to recognize the contributions of our Bronx honorees—leaders who embody excellence, service, and dedication to our communities. Each of them represents the strength, resilience, and vibrancy of Dominican heritage, and we are honored to uplift their achievements,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson.

“The Bronx holds a special place in the heart of our Dominican community — it is not only a cultural hub, but the proud home of the largest Dominican diaspora in the United States. This borough has been the launching pad for countless dreams and a sanctuary for our heritage. Tonight, we honor extraordinary Dominicans who reflect the spirit, tenacity, and brilliance of our people. Their achievements uplift our collective story and remind us that when one Dominican rises, we all rise. On behalf of the National Dominican Day Parade, I am proud to celebrate them in the very borough that has given so much to our community,” said Cristina Contreras, Chairperson of the National Dominican Day Parade.

This year’s National Dominican Day Parade will be held on Sunday, August 10th, 2025, starting at Noon.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON HOSTS THE GRANDE FINALE OF BRONX WEEK 2025 PARADE, CONCERT AND FOOD FESTIVAL & THE 2025 BRONX WALK OF FAME INDUCTION CEREMONY AND BRONX BAL

Bronx, NY – On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and The Bronx Tourism Council co-hosted the 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame Induction Ceremony at 10:30 AM at Bronx Borough Hall, located at 851 Grand Concourse, and later that evening, The Bronx Ball at 6:00 p.m.

The event celebrated the 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees: Kemba Walker, Professional Basketball Coach and Former Player; Damian Priest, Professional Wrestler; Judy Torres, Freestyle Music Icon and Dance-Pop Singer; and Devon Rodriguez, Artist.

For the third consecutive year of introducing the People’s Choice Award—Gary Axelbank won the award in the category of Media and the Arts.

Since its founding in 1997, the Bronx Walk of Fame has celebrated Bronx natives for their work and contributions to their respective industries. As of this year, over 125 individuals have been recognized along the 23-block stretch of the Grand Concourse. Inductees are honored with street signs from 138th Street to 165th Street.

The program began in the Rotunda of Bronx Borough Hall and then transitioned outside for the unveiling of the 2025 Bronx Walk of Fame inductees. The ceremony was emceed by Emmy Award-winning WABC 7 reporter Pedro Rivera.

Bronx, NY – On Saturday, May 17, 2025, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson and The Bronx Tourism Council proudly co-hosted the Annual Bronx Ball—the Bronx’s own version of the Met Gala—emceed by Emmy Award-winning WPIX reporter and anchor Monica Morales. It took place at 6:00 p.m. at 1720 Eastchester Road.

This celebrated event honored the borough’s cultural vibrancy and spotlighted the newest inductees into the prestigious Bronx Walk of Fame.

“The Bronx Ball was the Bronx’s version of the Met Gala and was our way of celebrating the people who make our borough great,” said Borough President Gibson. “From the artists and activists to the entrepreneurs and everyday heroes, this event shined a spotlight on the individuals whose contributions continue to shape our community. Thank you to all the sponsors and everyone who helped make this Bronx Week the best yet!”

A highlight of the evening included the presentation of the Key to the Borough to legendary DJ and record producer D-Nice, recognizing his outstanding contributions to music and the Bronx community.

Additionally, two Tourism Awards were presented to the New York Yankees and the Bronx Music Heritage Center for their exceptional impact on promoting Bronx culture and tourism.

This year`s Bronx Week Sponsors included: Chick-fil-A, Chase, Capital One, Con Edison, BronxCare Health System, Simone Development Companies, AT&T, Metroplus Health, Cricket Wireless, Bally’s Golf Links, Optimum, Verizon, and The New York Yankees. Our media sponsors are WPIX 11, BronxNet, News 12 The Bronx, WABC 7, 1010 Wins, and the Bronx Times.

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON THE TRAGIC SHOOTING IN MORRISANIA CLAIMING THE LIFE OF A 16-YEAR-OLD STUDENT

“Our Borough is heartbroken and in mourning tonight following the tragic shooting that claimed the life of an innocent 16-year-old student in Morrisania. No child should ever fall victim to such senseless violence, and no family should have to endure the unimaginable pain of losing a loved one under such heartbreaking circumstances.

To the family, loved ones, and classmates of Evette Jeffrey, we extend our deepest condolences and offer our prayers of healing and strength during this devastating time. The entire Bronx community stands united in grief and solidarity with her family and school community.

We are outraged that this tragedy occurred near a school and adjacent playground—places that should be safe havens for our children. We must do better to protect our communities and safeguard them from gun violence.

Grief and trauma counselors, along with support staff, will be available to help students and staff in the days ahead. I urge anyone with information about this tragedy to come forward and contact the NYPD. We must ensure justice is served and that this family receives the answers and accountability they deserve.”

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON`S STATEMENT ON SUPPORT FOR BRONX STEAM CENTER

Bronx, NY – Bronx Borough President Gibson today reaffirmed a strong commitment to advancing science, technology, engineering, the arts, and mathematics (STEAM) education by announcing support for the Bronx STEAM Center.

“In my State of the Borough address, I announced our support for a STEAM Center in the Bronx, and I am happy to announce that we are now one step closer to making this project a reality! The new STEAM center will be an unequivocal game changer for our youth, offering career-connected learning pathways that prepare our students for high-demand, high-wage jobs in science, tech, engineering, the arts, and mathematics.”

“With immersive workforce opportunities in partnership with Montefiore Medical Center, our young people will gain the skills and real-world experience they need to thrive in the careers of tomorrow. We are proud to support this transformative project and deeply grateful to Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie for his $5 million investment, as well as to NYC Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, the NYC School Construction Authority, former Schools Chancellor Dr. Meisha Porter, Montefiore Medical Center, Joseph Simone and his team, our colleagues in government, partner high schools, founding Principal, Superintendent Marcel Deans, and all of our community partners for their ongoing partnership and support.”

“Investing in our children’s education is an investment in our borough’s future and will ensure the future leaders of our city are equipped with the tools to lead our communities forward.”

Yesterday, New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles—Ramos announced the opening of seven new schools this fall for the 2025-2026 academic year, including the Bronx STEAM Center.

The Bronx STEAM Center:

The Bronx STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) Center will encompass Bronx high schools in districts 8, 10 and 11. This school will focus on strengthening academic readiness, advancing equity by empowering the most vulnerable learners, engaging students through relevant coursework and real-world experiences that create pathways to opportunity, and reimagining the journey from high school to sustainable careers.

Dear Neighbor,

We are proud to officially kick off Bronx Week 2025, a celebration of the people and places that make the Bronx the best place to live, work, and visit!

✨All week long, we are shining a spotlight on everything that makes our borough special — from our vibrant neighborhoods and cultural institutions to our small businesses, artists, and community leaders.

✨Join us for a week full of fun, starting with our Silent Disco and Health Day and culminating in our incredible Bronx Week Finale—featuring our parade, concert, and festival that brings thousands together right here in the Boogie Down Bronx.

✨There’s something for everyone, and we want you to be a part of it!

➡️For the full schedule, visit www.ilovethebronx.com.

Real ID

The REAL ID deadline is on May 7, 2025. Starting from this date, U.S. travelers aged 18 and older must present a REAL ID-compliant driver’s license or another acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities. After this date, TSA will no longer accept state-issued identifications that are not REAL ID compliant at security checkpoints.

Click here for more information.

Do You or Someone You Know Need Help?

If you have any questions or concerns or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact our office. You can reach us by phone at 718-590-3500 or via email at webmail@bronxbp.nyc.gov. We are here to help, and your voice matters.

Real-Time Updates:

We encourage you to stay connected. Follow us on social media for real-time updates and information.

FACEBOOK: @BronxBp

INSTAGRAM: @Bronxbpgibson

TWITTER: @BronxBp

BOROUGH PRESIDENT GIBSON JOINS PUBLIC HOUSING LEADERS & PUBLIC SAFETY ADVOCATES TO ANNOUNCE FUNDING TO DETER CRIME & PROTECT BRONX COMMUNITIES

Bronx, NY – Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson joined Assembly Member Landon Dais, Council Member Althea Stevens, Bronx Connect, Release the Grip, the NYPD, and public housing advocates to announce capital funding for critical security upgrades at NYCHA’s Teller Avenue–166th Street/Claremont Consolidated development.

As part of her continued commitment to addressing public safety concerns across the borough, Borough President Gibson unveiled funding for closed-circuit television systems (CCTV), LED lighting, and other associated security system components aimed at deterring crime and enhancing the safety of residents.

“Public safety should be a fundamental right and expectation for our public housing residents and with today`s announcement, we are one step closer to making that a reality,” said Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson. “These investments in security enhancements are not just about infrastructure—they’re about restoring trust, creating safer spaces, and ensuring every NYCHA resident feels secure in their home and community.”

“Thank you to Borough President Gibson for creating a space for residents to feel safe in their home and community. Her leadership in securing critical funding for security upgrades at Teller Avenue 166th Street is an essential step toward deterring crime and enhancing the quality of life for NYCHA residents in our community. This echoes the collective commitment to fostering safer, more secure neighborhoods throughout the Bronx,” Assembly Member Landon Dais, Assembly District 77

“Our communities deserve to feel safe, especially in the places we call home. This investment in NYCHA is a step toward building trust, protecting our neighbors, and uplifting the voices of residents who have long demanded safer conditions.” New York City Council Member Althea Stevens emphasizes, “True public safety means investing in people, prevention, and the promise of a better Bronx for everyone.”

“Safety and security are of the utmost importance to our mission of providing quality housing to NYCHA residents,” said NYCHA Chief Executive Officer Lisa Bova-Hiatt. “We are truly grateful to Bronx Borough President Gibson for marshalling the resources needed to make these important security upgrades and for her ongoing dedication and advocacy for all of the NYCHA residents who call the Bronx home.”

During the Borough President`s 2025 State of the Borough address, she announced significant funding for enhanced security infrastructure, including $395,000 allocated to the NYPD for the purchase of a Mobile Command Van and surveillance cameras. Additionally, she expressed her intention to allocate further funding in Fiscal Year 2026 for the installation of cameras to deter illegal dumping in high-need areas of the Bronx.

The Claremont Consolidated development, which includes the NYCHA sites at Teller Avenue and East 166th Street, will receive $294,000 to support these critical safety upgrades.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) can provide economic relief to assist households that are unable to pay rent and utilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The funds are provided directly to States, U.S. Territories, local governments, and Indian tribes. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance programs.

An “eligible household” is defined as a renter household in which at least one or more individuals meets the following criteria:

Qualifies for unemployment or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19
Demonstrates a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability and
Has a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median income.
ERAP is not guaranteed and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

You can apply here.

If you need help completing the application, you can call Monday-Saturday, from 8:00 am – 7:00 pm at 1-844-NY1-RENT (1-844-691-7368).

We’re sharing important updates that may affect you or someone you know, along with upcoming community events, resources, and opportunities across District 12. Please review the information below and don’t hesitate to reach out if our office can assist.

Important SNAP Update – Effective March 1, 2026

New federal rules are changing how some adults receive SNAP (food stamp) benefits. Our office wants to ensure residents understand how these changes may affect them and what steps to take to avoid interruptions in benefits.

Who Is Affected?

These rules apply to SNAP recipients who:

Are 18–64 years old
Do not live with a child under age 14
Are considered able to work

This group is known as Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD).

Who May Be Exempt?

You may not have to follow ABAWD work rules if you are:

A person with a verified physical or mental disability
Pregnant
Physically or mentally unable to work 80 hours per month
Caring for an incapacitated household member
Already meeting general SNAP work requirements (for example, working enough hours or participating in an approved program)

Important: Federal rules around SNAP exemptions have changed. Some groups that were previously exempt may now be required to meet work rules. Each case is reviewed individually by HRA.

If you believe you qualify for an exemption, notify HRA as early as possible and submit any required documentation.

If you believe you qualify for an exemption, it’s important to let HRA know EARLY

Helpful Resources for Residents

ABAWD Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions: SNAP work requirements – ACCESS NYC

ABAWD Work Requirements Explained (NYS OTDA) / General SNAP Work Rules
SNAP Work Requirements | SNAP | OTDA

About SNAP & Eligibility
Able Bodied Adults Without Dependents – HRA

ACCESS HRA (Apply, Upload Documents, Report Changes)
ACCESS NYC

Need Help? We’re Here for You

If you have questions about whether these rules apply to you, need help understanding exemptions, or are having trouble with your SNAP case, our office is here to help.

DSS OneNumber: 718‑557‑1399

Our office remains committed to supporting residents and ensuring everyone has access to the resources they need.

Greetings Neighbors and Families,

Please join us for Council Member Kevin C. Riley’s Community Conversation on Education & Family Services. This event brings together families, educators, and community partners for an engaging and informative evening focused on supporting children and families in our community.

The evening will begin with a discussion featuring Council Member Riley and representatives from NYC Public Schools, highlighting key issues, resources, and priorities in education and family support. The program will then transition into a community information fair, offering residents the opportunity to connect directly with local agencies and nonprofit organizations providing vital services and programs for families and children.

In light of recent events and concerns raised surrounding our young people, we believe it is more important than ever for families to stay informed, engaged, and connected to resources. Strong communities are built when families, schools, and local partners work together, and this event is an opportunity to do just that.

We encourage all parents, guardians, and caregivers to attend, ask questions, share ideas, and take advantage of the many resources available to support our young people.

NEW DATE: Thursday, March 12th, 2026

Doors: 6:00PM | Program Start: 6:30PM

Location: M.S. 113 – Richard R. Green Campus (Leaders of Tomorrow), 3710 Barnes Ave, Bronx, NY 10467

Street Renaming Mayfield

GreenThumb Earth Month

Message from NYCParks:

Kick off the start of the community garden season by celebrating Earth Day all April long!

Learn new skills at one of GreenThumb’s free events this month and then attend one of our volunteer workdays at a GreenThumb garden to practice that skill!

If you are new to community gardening, this is a great opportunity to get to know community gardeners at these gardens and learn how to become a garden member

Free Tax Prep & Filing Service

I am happy to share that we will be offering free tax prep & filing services weekly at my district office (959 E 233rd St, Bronx, NY 10466) on Wednesdays until April 15th, by appointment only. To schedule an appointment with the team, please call (718) 547-8854 or go to www.uutaxbooking.org .

Statement on 700 Adee Avenue Fire | 01/28/2026

We have been made aware of the four-alarm fire which occurred at 700 Adee Avenue near White Plains Road in the Bronx. According to the New York City Fire Department, the fire was located on the first floor of a three-story building that contains three commercial units and two residential units.

Emergency responders have been on the scene since early morning. At this time, there have been no injuries reported. I extend my sincere gratitude to the first responders from FDNY, NYPD, and our partner agencies who are responding swiftly and professionally under challenging conditions.

My thoughts are with the residents, families, businesses, patrons, and neighbors who have been impacted by this tragic incident, and I remain committed to ensuring their safety and well-being as the situation develops. My office is available for questions regarding resources, call us at
(718) 547 8864 for more information.

Upcoming Events

Department of Buildings Satellite Office

We will be hosting the NYC Department of Buildings at my district office today from 10 am to 4 pm for scheduled appointments only; no walk-ins available.

To reserve a 30-minute slot, please call my office at (718) 547-8854.

Dear Neighbor,

It has been a busy start to the budget season. The state budget process is how the legislature determines how funds are allocated for governmental services and programs within our state. As your State Senator, I am meeting with fellow lawmakers, agencies, and community groups to finalize the final budget and advocating for funding for key initiatives and programs that benefit our community. Our goal is to ensure that the budget reflects the priorities and needs of our community members and the voices of our constituents are heard in this process.

While I’m in Albany for the legislative session, my office continues to assist constituents in the Bronx and Mount Vernon with government services, unemployment benefits, housing issues, and more. You’ll find additional updates below, including upcoming community events, resources, and helpful programs.

As always, please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions or concerns. If you, or someone you know needs support accessing government benefits or are facing an issue, our constituent services team can help. Please contact our office for support at 718-547-8854 or senatorjbailey@nysenate.gov.

Sincerely,

Jamaal T. Bailey
State Senator, District 36

Home Energy Assistance Program

The Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) is a federally funded program that helps low-income homeowners and renters pay for utility and heating bills. If you have received an electric, gas, or heating disconnect notice, you can apply for emergency financial help. You may also qualify for help if you have a low supply of heating fuel or a broken boiler or furnace. Active SNAP/Cash Assistance clients and clients receiving SSI who live alone are automatically eligible for HEAP benefits.

Your household may be eligible for a Regular benefit if:

A member of your household is a United States Citizen or Qualified Non-Citizen
Your household’s gross monthly income is at or below the current income guides for your household size
You receive Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits or
You receive Temporary Assistance (TA) or
You receive Code A Supplemental Security Income (SSI Living Alone)

Apply for HEAP
You can apply for HEAP by filling out the HEAP application and mailing or faxing it back to:

Home Energy Assistance Program/HEAP
P.O. Box 1401
Church Street Station
New York, NY 10008
Fax: 917-639-2900

Applications can also be dropped off in person at a local HEAP office. You can get additional help by calling the DSS/HRA HEAP unit at 1-718-557-1399 or call the NYC HEAP Infoline at 1-718-557-1399 for the status of your application. You can also get more information on HEAP here.

Senator Jamaal T. Bailey, Assemblymember Michael R. Benedetto, Celebrate Signing of New Legislation to Ban Digital Billboards Near Mitchell-Lama Housing

S1931B/A7456a, inspired by challenges stemming from the operation of digital billboards in Co-op City, prohibits all residential and commercial properties within fifteen hundred feet of Mitchell-Lama housing (with no fewer than ten thousand units) in cities with a population of one million or more from operating digital billboards or signs using flashing, intermittent, or moving lights, marking a significant step toward enhancing the quality of life for residents in affected areas.

Bronx, NY – Senator Jamaal T. Bailey and Assemblymember Michael Benedetto today announced the signing of legislation aimed at protecting residents near Mitchell-Lama housing from the adverse effects of digital billboards. The new law, S1931B/A7456A, prohibits digital billboards or signs using flashing, intermittent, or moving lights within fifteen hundred feet of Mitchell-Lama housing with no fewer than ten thousand units in cities with a population of one million or more. Local legislation, Res 0797-2023, was introduced in September by Council Member Kevin C. Riley in the New York City Council.

The legislation addresses the challenges faced by communities like Co-op City where lighting from large electronic billboards has posed serious concerns to the quality of life of residents. Local residents and community members in Co-op City have long opposed the operation of the digital billboards and rallied against the installation of new billboards. The operation of digital billboards has proven to be detrimental in particular to the well-being and safety of vulnerable populations. Co-op City is home to the nation’s largest naturally occurring retirement community (NORC), including a significant senior population.

High-intensity lighting emitted by digital billboards has been linked to various health problems, including headaches, eye strain, fatigue, and disrupted sleep patterns. Residents have reported difficulties in focusing, sleeping, and normal daily activities caused by the intense illumination of ultrabright LEDs over prolonged periods. The content displayed on the billboards, including alcohol-related and provocative advertisements, has raised serious concerns given the billboards’ proximity to an education complex comprising six campus buildings serving students from elementary to high school levels.

“Businesses should not be able to profit off of our communities while putting our health and safety at risk,” said Senator Jamaal T. Bailey. “Our residents deserve to live in a safe and healthy environment. Exposure to excessively bright billboards and constant high-intensity lighting from billboards have been linked to serious health and safety concerns. This legislative victory is a collective effort that demonstrates the strength of our community. Co-op City residents have been fighting against these disruptive billboards for years, and I am proud we were able to finally put an end to this practice and deliver this win for our community members. Our community’s voices made a difference. Now, with this legislation, we are taking a proactive step to prevent such issues in the future. I want to thank Assemblymember Michael Benedetto and Council Member Kevin C. Riley for their work on this legislation, Governor Kathy Hochul, Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Speaker Carl Heastie for prioritizing the health and well-being of our community.”

“Our Digital Billboard Legislation will once and for all prevent the construction and operation of disruptive and abusive billboards that would have shined all night into Co-op City’s bedrooms,” said Assemblymember Michael R. Benedetto. “This is a great victory for the Co-op City community a few days before the start of the New Year. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for understanding the significance of this legislation, as well as my colleagues in Albany, State Senator Jamaal Bailey, Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and in NYC, City Council Member Kevin C. Riley.”

“Today marks a monumental step towards safeguarding the health and quality of life for families in the Northeast Bronx and statewide,” said Council Member Kevin C. Riley. “With the support of Governor Kathy Hochul, Speaker Carl Heastie, and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins endorsing Res 0797-2023 and S1931B/A7456A, we celebrate the collaborative effort between city and state to prioritize policy that serves the well-being of New York residents. In concert with Senator Bailey and Assembly Member Benedetto, we spearheaded legislation that not only tackles light pollution near Mitchell-Lama housing but also cultivates a healthier environment. This initiative aims to diminish the risks associated with disrupted sleep cycles and health disparities in our communities, specifically arising from the operation of large digital billboards emitting excessive artificial light. I am grateful for this partnership with my colleagues in government, the Co-op City community and all stakeholders for the dedication to improving the lives of New Yorkers for a sustainable future.”

Violations will incur civil penalties of one thousand dollars for the first offense and five thousand dollars for all subsequent violations.

The legislation will take effect sixty days after becoming law.

Please note our district office located at 959 E 233rd St, Bronx, NY 10466, will be temporarily closed due to unforeseen building issues. Our staff will be working remotely to continue assisting you during this time until the issue is resolved. We can be reached at 718-547-8854 or senatorjbailey@nysenate.gov during our regular office hours (Monday through Friday from 10am – 5pm) and assist with any inquiries or concerns you may have. We apologize for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

Housing & Utilities Resources

Heating Assistance

Heating Assistance (HEAP) 2022-2023: The HEAP season opened on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be fou

Cooling Assistance Benefit

The application period for the 2023 Cooling Assistance benefit opened on May 1, 2023, and will end close of business on August 31, 2023, or until funds are no longer available (whichever comes first). Applications for the Cooling Assistance benefit can be submitted in-person, by phone, over through ACCESS HRA.

Eligible households receive a cooling benefit of up to $800 for the purchase and installation of an air conditioner. If one cannot be installed safely, a fan will be provided. Benefits are provided on a first come first served basis to eligible applicants. Applicants are only eligible for a Cooling Assistance Benefit once every five years.

Online:
New York City residents – access.nyc.gov

By Phone:
You may call your HEAP Local District Contact and ask them to mail you an application. New York City residents can call 718-557-1399 if you have questions about the benefit.

In person:
You may apply in person at your HEAP Local District Contact.

Affordable Connectivity Program

New Yorkers can apply for the Affordable Connectivity Program for up to $30 off their monthly internet bill. The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) gives a discount on your household’s monthly broadband internet service if you are eligible. Participating broadband providers will apply this discount to your broadband plan. Learn more about applying.

How to Apply: Two Steps to Enroll

Go to acpbenefit.org to submit an application or print a mail-in application.
Contact your preferred participating provider to select an eligible plan and have the discount applied to your bill.
Note: enrollment is not complete until the provider confirms your plan

conEdison Energy Affordability Program

You may qualify for a discount on your monthly energy bill if you receive benefits from the following eligible governmental assistance program.

You’ll be enrolled automatically if an agency notifies conEdison that you receive benefits from these eligible governmental assistance programs:

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – NYC SNAP, Westchester SNAP
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Direct Vendor or Utility Guarantee
Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) – NYC TANF; Westchester TANF
Safety Net Assistance (SNA) – NYC SNA, Westchester SNA

You will not be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from any of the following eligible governmental assistance programs and will need to apply separately:

Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Lifeline Telephone Service Program (Lifeline)

How to Apply for the Energy Affordability Program
If you’re not currently receiving a discount and you want to enroll in the Energy Affordability Program, you can sign up online now. It’s quick and easy. Or if you prefer, you can download and complete your application: Eng lish Energy Affordability Program Application.

conEdison Energy Affordability Program

You may qualify for a discount on your monthly energy bill if you receive benefits from the following eligible governmental assistance program.

You’ll be enrolled automatically if an agency notifies conEdison that you receive benefits from these eligible governmental assistance programs:

Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP)
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) – NYC SNAP, Westchester SNAP
Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
Direct Vendor or Utility Guarantee
Temporary Aid to Needy Families (TANF) – NYC TANF; Westchester TANF
Safety Net Assistance (SNA) – NYC SNA, Westchester SNA

You will not be enrolled automatically if you receive benefits from any of the following eligible governmental assistance programs and will need to apply separately:

Medicaid
Federal Public Housing Assistance
Veterans Pension and Survivors Benefit
Lifeline Telephone Service Program (Lifeline)

Get Help Applying for Housing Connect

NYC Housing Connect is an online portal where you can find an affordable apartment or home to rent or buy. Connect with a Housing Ambassador who can help you use Housing Connect to apply for housing lotteries, gather information in case your number comes up, and get ready to show that you qualify. Housing Ambassadors can provide information and assistance with the application process. However, housing Ambassadors do not offer housing directly and cannot guarantee that an applicant will receive an affordable unit through the lottery. To make an appointment, contact a Housing Ambassador directly.

DOE Summer Meals Website

Starting June 29, 2023, all children will be eligible to receive free breakfast and lunch meals at sites across the City, including schools, parks and pools, in all five boroughs. No identification or application is required and meals will be available Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be served from 8:00am to 9:15am and lunch will be served from 11:00am to 1:15pm at designated sites. For more details and a list of locations, please go to the DOE Summer Meals Website.

Pandemic Electronic Benefit
Transfer Program (P-EBT)

The Pandemic Electronic Benefit Transfer Program (P-EBT) is a Federal program to provide food benefits to children who miss the opportunity to receive school meals due to pandemic-related school closures. These benefits will take the form of funds on electronic benefit transfer (EBT cards) which can be used in the same manner as SNAP (food stamp) cards. Families with children eligible for free school meals should check for additional P-EBT benefits online http://connectebt.com or by emailing otda.sm.eisp.PEBT@otda.ny.gov or calling 1-888-328-6399.

Emergency Food

Food Help NYC: You can pick up food packages at a food pantry or get a meal at a soup kitchen. Find Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens near you.

Mount Vernon & Westchester Food Resources:

Feeding Westchester Mobile Food Pantry and Fresh Market Schedule (Please note the dates in this schedule are subject to change or cancellation.)

Find food pantries and other meal programs in Westchester County.

Butler Monthly Food Distribution
Our office partners with Butler Memorial United Methodist Church and NY Common Pantry to host regular food distributions every first and third Wednesday monthly at 3920 Paulding Avenue, Bronx, NY 10466 (food pick-up on the corner of 233rd St & Paulding Avenue) from 1pm – 3:30pm, while supplies last. Contact 718-902-6921 for more information.

Food Benefit Programs

You can get help paying for groceries by enrolling in a food assistance program.

SNAP (Food Stamps) helps people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.
Food for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides pregnant women, mothers, and young children with healthy food and support services for prenatal care, breastfeeding, and nutrition.

Meals for Older Adults

If you are age 60 or older, you can also visit a Senior Center for hot group meals served at the center or, if offered, a grab and go meal or sign up for the Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults program if eligible. If you are a senior that has difficulty preparing meals, you may be able to receive nutritionally balanced home-delivered meals funded by the Department for the Aging (DFTA). Aging Connect is the New York City Department for the Aging’s information and referral contact center for older adults and their families. To reach Aging Connect, call 212-AGING-NYC (212-244-6469) to learn more or to request home delivered meals for a senior or call 311.

Note: If you are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer or other life-altering illnesses, you may be able to receive customized home-delivered meals from God’s Love We Deliver.

Free Monthly Food Packages for Seniors

Nourish offers free, nutritious foods to adults aged 60 years of age and older who have a New York state address and meet financial eligibility requirements. Most seniors who qualify for SNAP will be eligible for Nourish. Once a senior is signed up, they can receive a food package on a monthly basis. Food packages include a variety of foods, such as milk, juice, farina, oats, ready-to-eat cereal, rice, pasta, peanut butter, dry beans, canned meat, poultry or fish, and canned fruits and vegetables. Once each month you or your proxy will pick up your food at a convenient food distribution site. Please call Nourish at 917-982-2564 for more information.

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

I hope your new year is off to a great start. I am excited to be back in Albany for the start of the 2023 legislative session as your State Senator representing the great communities of The Bronx and Mount Vernon. As Chair of the Standing Committee on Codes and member of the Children and Families, Finance, Judiciary, Crime Victims, Crime & Correction, and Rules Committees, I am looking forward to working with my colleagues in the Legislature to pass important legislation and ensure our priorities are reflected in this year’s state budget.

I was proud to join my colleagues in the State Senate to start off the legislative session by advancing legislation to make voting easier and safeguard the rights of all New Yorkers. The State Senate passed legislation to improve New York State’s electoral system, allow for portable polling locations, expand ballot drop-off locations, establish the New York Voting and Elections Database, allow food and non-alcoholic drinks to voters waiting in line at the polls, and establish voter suppression as a criminal offense. I also had the honor of commemorating the life and legacy of the great Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the floor of the Senate. Watch my floor remarks here.

I hope you will find the below community resources helpful. As always, my office is always here for you to assist with any community issues or to help you access any government resources. Please feel free to reach out at 718-547-8854 or senatorjbailey@nysenate.gov.

Sincerely,

Jamaal T. Bailey
State Senator, District 36

Recognizing the Signs and Getting Help

Human trafficking can happen to anyone but vulnerable groups are particularly at risk. Significant risk factors include recent migration or relocation, substance use, mental health concerns, involvement with the children welfare system and being a runaway or homeless youth. Children account for half of the victims of human trafficking. Traffickers recognize and take advantage of people who are vulnerable. Identifying trafficking is the first step to stopping it. Understanding the signs to look out for could help the most vulnerable people within your community.

If you believe you are a victim of human trafficking or may have information about a potential trafficking situation, please contact the U.S. National Human Trafficking Hotline. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please call 911.

National Human Trafficking Hotline: 888-373-7888 or text 233733

National Center for Missing and Exploited Children: 800-THE-LOST (843-5678)

NYPD Special Victims/Human Trafficking Hotline: 646-610-7272

NYC 24-hour Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-621-HOPE (4673) for immediate safety planning, shelter assistance, and other resources. TTY: 800-810-7444

NYS Justice Center: (abuse/neglect in residential care) 855-373-2122

Lifenet: Free and confidential mental health and substance abuse information, referral, and crisis hotline services for New York City residents 24 hours a day / 7 days a week: 212-995-5824

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: Call or text 988 to be connected with a trained crisis counselor.

Safe Horizon’s Streetwork Project: Hotline for homeless youth under age 25: 800-708-6600

RESOURCES

The Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP) helps low income households pay the cost of water and sewer services. The program can assist households who have past due bills (arrears) for water and sewer services. LIHWAP can help prevent your water and/or sewer services from being shut off. If your water and/or sewer is shut off, about to be shut off, or you have a 72-hour disconnect notice, and you need help immediately, you may be eligible for Temporary Assistance. You may apply online at otda.ny.gov/lihwap or call 1-800-342-3009 for assistance.

Benefits per household:

Up to a maximum of $2,500 per water and sewer provider, or
$5,000 if water and sewer services are combined
Paid directly to the household’s water and/or sewer provider(s)

Benefits for Working New Yorkers

There are benefits and supports for working New Yorkers that you may be losing out on. Check your eligibility for a wide range of work supports including home energy assistance, free or low-cost health insurance, child care, food and nutritional benefits, tax credits and free income tax prep at myBenefits.ny.gov. It’s quick, easy and confidential.

Need Help with Utility Bills? There is a Credit Program for Low-Income Families

Heating and Cooling Assistance (HEAP) 2022-2023: The HEAP season opened on November 1, 2022. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.

For Heat-Related Emergencies: The Emergency HEAP Benefit opens on January 1, 2023. The Emergency HEAP Benefit provides assistance to those who are in a heat related emergency. More information including 2022-23 benefit amounts and eligibility requirements can be found here.

Property Tax Benefits for Homeowners

New York City and New York State offer homeowners property tax relief in the form of exemptions, abatements, and credits. Eligibility criteria for each program is different. You may qualify to receive more than one benefit. You can apply for benefits that can help you save on your property tax bill.

To review the property tax exemptions that are available to homeowners—including seniors, veterans, clergy members, people with disabilities, and more—in New York City, visit the property tax exemptions page. You will find eligibility information and applications.

NYC Rent Freeze Program

The NYC Rent Freeze Program, which includes the Senior Citizen Rent Increase Exemption (SCRIE) Program and the Disability Rent Increase Exemption (DRIE) Program, helps those eligible stay in affordable housing by freezing their rent. Think you might qualify? The next enrollment deadline is March 15th. Don’t delay! The sooner you enroll, the more money you save. Learn about eligibility requirements for these programs by visiting PEU’s Tenant Support Unit website or by calling PEU’s Rent Freeze Hotline at 929-252-7242 to connect with a PEU Specialist.

Food Resources

Emergency Food

Food Help NYC: You can pick up food packages at a food pantry or get a meal at a soup kitchen. Find Food Pantries and Soup Kitchens near you.

If you are age 60 or older, you can also visit a Senior Center (also known as an older adult center) for hot group meals served at the center or, if offered, a grab and go meal or sign up for the Home Delivered Meals for Older Adults program if eligible.

Mount Vernon & Westchester Food Resources: Find food pantries and other meal programs in Westchester County.

Food Benefit Programs

You can get help paying for groceries by enrolling in a food assistance program.

SNAP (Food Stamps) helps people with limited income buy food. Benefits are provided on an electronic card that is used like an ATM card and accepted at most grocery stores.
Food for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides pregnant women, mothers, and young children with healthy food and support services for prenatal care, breastfeeding, and nutrition.

Help Paying for Child Care

New York State offers child care subsidies to low-income working families and those receiving temporary assistance to make safe, quality child care accessible and affordable. Families may be eligible for financial assistance if they meet the state’s guidelines and need child care to work, look for work, or attend approved education or employment training programs. To find out if you are eligible for a child care subsidy or to apply for a subsidy for your child, contact your local department of social services. For more information about the child care subsidy program, visit ocfs.ny.gov.

Low Interest Small Business Loans for NYC Entrepreneurs

If you’re a NYC-based business – a startup, growth-stage business, or needing a boost after the pandemic – the NYC Small Business Opportunity Fund is a trusted, affordable way for you to invest in your business.

No minimum credit score required  
Loans up to $250,000 at 4% fixed interest rate 
Free business support from trusted, local, mission-driven lenders
Easy to apply  
No application fees
Open to businesses at all stages – from startups to growing to rebuilding

Call 888-SBS-4NYC (888-727-4692) or visit SBSOpportunityFund.nyc for questions or help with your application.

MAYOR MAMDANI AND THE OFFICE TO PROTECT TENANTS HOST FIRST EVER RENTAL RIPOFF HEARINGS

In January 2026, Mayor Zohran Mamdani signed Executive Order 08, establishing NYC’s first-ever “Rental Ripoff Hearings.” These hearings will give New Yorkers across all five boroughs a direct platform to share their housing experiences in conversations with City officials to help shape housing policy. New Yorkers can discuss the challenges they face, from poor conditions and repair delays to unconscionable business practices and non-rent fees. City leaders from agencies focused on tenant stability, housing quality, and consumer protection will be there to listen. This is your chance to tell City government what’s working, what isn’t, and what needs to change.

The Bronx Rental Ripoff Hearing will take place next Wednesday, March 11. Unfortunately, pre-registration for this hearing is full. However, the City of New York still wants to hear from you. Please submit your testimony online.

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS ANNUAL BLACK HISTORY MONTH EVENT AT TRACEY TOWERS!

Last week, Senator Rivera celebrated Black History Month at Tracey Towers. The celebration honored Black excellence and history and featured live music from the Morrisania Band Project who performed R&B and soul classics.

Thank you to Ms. Jean Hill for her support in making this event an annual celebration, Bronx District Attorney Darcel Clark for stopping by, and to the Morrisania Band for such an amazing performance!

SENATOR RIVERA VISITS THE DEWITT CLINTON EDUCATIONAL CAMPUS FARM

This week, Senator Rivera visited the Teens for Food Justice’s DeWitt Clinton Educational Campus Farm. Thank you to Danna Creager for making this visit possible, and to the members of the DeWitt Clinton Educational Farm for providing a tour of the facility.

This educational hydroponic farm is one of nine operated by Teens for Food Justice, an initiative dedicated to feeding hundreds of students and community members through local food pantries and school cafeterias. The DeWitt Clinton Educational Campus, through the effort of students and staff who operate the farm, produce over 7,000 pounds of produce each year!

STARTING 1/1/26, TWO EPIPEN DEVICES WILL COST $100!

As of January 1, 2026, health insurance plans must limit out-of-pocket cost for EpiPens to $100 a year! As the sponsor of this bill, I’m so grateful that the Governor signed it into law. New York families can now access two EpiPen devices at a reasonable cost. Life-saving medications should not be treated as a luxury, and neither should your healthcare. Let’s pass the NY Health Act next.

ADDITIONAL COLD BLUE EMERGENCY SERVICES AND SUPPORT

Code Blue & Outreach Support: The Department of Homeless Services (DHS) activates Code Blue when temperatures drop to 32°F or below (including wind chill) between 4:00 PM and 8:00 AM. During Code Blue:

People can call 311 for information on shelter, warming centers, and assistance
Calls to 311 related to Code Blue are routed to 911 so first responders can reach people quickly
Outreach teams are intensifying efforts citywide to connect people to shelter and lifesaving support
All DHS facilities, shelters, Safe Havens, stabilization beds, and drop-in centers, have an open-door policy. Please seek help in any of these locations.
Intake procedures are relaxed, and outreach teams can directly place people into Safe Havens and stabilization beds.

Warming Centers (Open until further notice): The City has opened warming spaces and buses in all five boroughs to provide safe, heated indoor spaces. They will remain open throughout the period of cold weather.

A regularly updated list of warming center locations and hours can be found HERE.

BRONX:

Warming Spaces

All locations below have warm spaces and food:

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Belvis

545 East 142nd Street

Open 7PM-7AM

NYC Health + Hospitals/Gotham Health, Morrisania

1225 Gerard Avenue

Open 7PM-7AM

Warming Buses

Warming vehicles are parked outside the following locations:

Dewitt Clinton High School

100 Moshulu Parkway

Open 24/7

NYC Health + Hospitals/Jacobi

1400 Pelham Parkway South

Bus is in front of building #6. Open 7PM-7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/Lincoln

234 East 149th Street

Building open 24/7, Warming Center 7 PM – 7 AM.

NYC Health + Hospitals/North Central Bronx

3424 Kossuth Avenue

Bus is in front of main entrance. Open 7PM-7AM.

For the latest warming center updates, please visit the dedicated webpage and/or sign up for Notify NYC alerts.

APPLICATIONS OPEN: BRONX CHANGEMAKERS INSTITUTE

The Bronx Defenders invites anyone who lives, works, or studies in the Bronx to step into your power by applying to the Bronx Changemakers Institute—an 8-week transformative experience rooted in organizing, policy, and hands-on engagement in the heart of the Bronx from February 23 – April 20.

This hybrid program (in-person and virtual) is designed to help you discover your voice, strengthen your skills, and shape public life with purpose and clarity.

With limited spots available, applicants will go through a short interview process. All participants will receive a certificate of completion.

Applications close February 15. There are no age or educational requirements!

Please email communityengagement@bronxdefenders.org if you have any questions.

DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE: EXEMPTION RENEWAL AND NOPV SEASON

DEP 101 WINTER WEATHER TIPS: PROTECT PIPES AND METERS FROM FREEZING

If you do not receive heat, you can call 311 to make a complaint. You can also take your landlord to court for repairs, otherwise known as HP Action (link for recent training).

However, if you do utilize a space heater, here are a few safety tips.Unplug space heaters when not in use. Never leave space heaters unattended, especially around pets or children.
Do not use the heaters with broken, cracked, or loose plugs.
Space heaters should never be used to cook food, dry clothing or thaw pipes.
Heaters must be at least 3 feet away from anything that can burn.
Avoid the cord becoming a tripping hazard.
Plug space heaters directly into a wall outlet. Extension cords or power strips can overheat and cause fires.
Do not plug any other electrical devices into the same outlet as the heater.
Place space heaters on level, flat surfaces. Never place heaters on furniture or carpets, which can overheat and start a fire.
Make sure your smoke alarm is working properly.

This week, Senator Rivera stood in solidarity with nurses from the New York State Nurses Association at Montefiore Medical Center and New York Presbyterian Allen Hospital, who have been on strike since Monday.

When addressing the crowd, Senator Rivera expressed his admiration for the crucial work that nurses play in our healthcare system. Senator Rivera strongly agrees that our nurses deserve a dignified and fair contract and full implementation of the historic safe staffing laws of 2021, which NYSNA was instrumental in helping to pass.

Senator Rivera urges hospital management and our nurses to return to the negotiating table and deliver a fair contract for the sake of our patients.

SENATOR RIVERA URGES NYS DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION TO EXTEND PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD FOR THE CROSS BRONX FIVE BRIDGES PROJECT

This week, Senator Rivera sent a letter to the NYS Commissioner of Transportation Marie Therese Dominguez to extend the Environmental Assessment public comment period for the redevelopment of the Cross Bronx Expressway until March 10th. The current deadline is today.

Constituents and Community Board members were given a 6,000 page document to review in just 30 days during the holiday season, forcing experts and community members to quickly review and add comments to the document for a $900 million project that will deeply impact the South Bronx.

The Cross Bronx has caused too much damage in our borough for almost seven decades so it is only fair that we get this project right and ensure future generations in the South Bronx grow up in a safer and healthier environment.

1/14/26: NEW YORK CITY CONTRACTING SUMMIT EVENT AT BARCLAYS CENTER: A NEW ERA FOR SMALL BUSINESS

On Wednesday, January 14, the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) will host their NYC Contracting Summit: A New Era for Small Business to widen opportunities for small businesses, by increasing access to M/WBE firms, across New York City. SBS wants to ensure constituents have the opportunity to learn about how doing business with government and other partners can fuel the growth of their business. SBS highlights: Every year NYC spends billions of dollars contracting with small businesses.

Please find the link below or register HERE to RSVP for the event.

Event schedule of activities include:

Networking with contracting agents from all levels of government
Workshops providing a blueprint to finding opportunities, winning contracts and growing your company
Free business resources, including on-site technical assistance, financing assistance, and capacity building programming

See below for more details and registration information.

Date:

Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Time:

9 AM – 4 PM

Location:

Barclays Center

620 Atlantic Avenue

Brooklyn, NY 11217

Directions

Dress Code:

Business Casual

Cost:

Free

Link to register: https://NYCContractingSummit.eventbrite.com/?aff=CommunityPartner

Note: Registration is NOT transferrable. Each person attending must complete a separate registration form.

Questions? Contact outreach@sbs.nyc.gov

SENATOR RIVERA CONDEMNS MURDER OF U.S. CITIZEN BY ICE

This week, Senator Rivera joined Assemblymember Tony Simone, colleagues and advocates at an emergency press conference at 26 Federal Plaza. Those in attendance strongly condemned the murder of Renee Nicole Good, a U.S. citizen who was fatally shot three times by an ICE agent in Minneapolis as she was driving away from a peaceful protest.

Senator Rivera condemned this horrific murder and urged the Legislature to pass the MELT Act, the Radar Act, and New York for All as soon as possible. Our communities are under attack and we have an obligation to protect each other with every legal tool we have.

Passionate about public service and are you social media savvy? Apply to our Social Media Internship and help our Communications Team shape the message behind the mission!

Deadline: ASAP

Send your resume + cover letter to grivera@nysenate.gov.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS CITY AND STATE PANEL TO DISCUSS REIMAGINING PRIMARY CARE IN NEW YORK STATE

This week, Senator Rivera attended a panel discussion as part of “Primary Care First: Reimagining New York’s Health System,” an event organized by City and State and the Primary Care Development Corporation (PCDC).

Joined by moderator David Sandman, President and CEO of the New York Health Foundation and Assemblymember David Weprin, Senator Rivera spoke about the potential actions that the State Legislature can take to support primary care access for all New Yorkers.

Investing intentionally in primary care is one of the most effective ways to save lives, improve individual and community health, advance health equity, and save money to the State. Senator Rivera will work diligently this year in Albany to pass his Primary Care Investment Act bill (S.1634) and the New York Health Act (S.3425), which will establish a single payer system in New York.

Dear Neighbor,

I am committed to ensuring that all members of my community have access to meaningful employment opportunities. That’s why my team has created a Bilingual Employment Bulletin featuring job openings ranging from housing, arts, and public service, and more!

View the English bulletin here.

View the Spanish bulletin here.

I also want to make our community aware that my office is seeking a part-time Community Affairs Assistant for this fall. You can find more information in the flyer below and if interested, I invite you to apply by submitting a cover letter and resume at this link: http://bit.ly/4oyQ5B3. Applications are due by 5PM on Friday, August 29.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact my office at 718-933-2034 or grivera@nysenate.gov.

Sincerely,

Gustavo Rivera

New York State Senator

33rd Senate District, The Bronx

SENATOR RIVERA HOLDS COMMUNITY VIGIL IN MEMORY OF 14-YEAR OLD ANGEL MENDOZA

Today, Senator Rivera held a very moving vigil in memory of 14-year-old Angel Miguel Mendoza who died in a terrible attack on August 5 at the Williamsbridge Oval. Alongside Angel’s loving family, fellow colleagues, and community members, we came together to mourn the heartbreaking loss of Angel, show our support to his family in their time of grief, and respectfully voice our opposition to the violence that took the life of a promising young Bronxite.

Echoing the demands of his community in the wake of this tragedy, Senator Rivera recently wrote a letter to the NYC Parks Department Commissioner Iris Rodriguez-Rosa urging the agency to prioritize the installation of security cameras with the funding he secured last year. Read the letter here.

While the Senator is relieved that arrests have been made in connection with this terrible incident, he recognizes that we all must do more to keep our community safe and prevent such violence before it occurs.

SENATOR RIVERA AND SENATOR SKOUFIS HOLD HIGHLY ANTICIPATED PUBLIC HEARING ON THE CDPA PROGRAM TRANSITION

Yesterday, State Senator Gustavo Rivera, Chair of the Senate Committee on Health, and State Senator James Skoufis, Chair of the Senate Committee on Investigations and Government Operations held the much anticipated joint public hearing on the CDPAP transition to a single fiscal intermediary.

During the hearing, Senator Rivera questioned a number of stakeholders including the New York State Health Commissioner James McDonald and representatives of PPL, the Single Fiscal Intermediary chosen by the Executive about the series of decisions that led to such a disastrous transition. Senator Rivera also heard from workers and consumers who have been terribly impacted by this process.

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS US SENATOR MARKEY, REPRESENTATIVE KHANNA IN SUPPORT OF THE STATE-BASED UNIVERSAL HEALTH CARE ACT

Last week, Senator Rivera joined Congressman Ro Khanna of California and Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts as they announced the introduction of their State-Based Universal Health Care Act (SBUHCA). The SBUHCA will allow states that have passed legislation creating a state-based, universal healthcare program to go into effect without federal red tape.

With the passage of the federal reconciliation bill depriving people of healthcare coverage, defunding healthcare institutions and programs, and making states responsible for a larger share of their healthcare spending, Senator Rivera strongly believes that this is the right time for this piece of legislation, which will support the implementation of the New York Health Act (S3425), his groundbreaking legislation to create a single-payer plan for New York residents and employees.

“I’m proud to stand with my colleagues in D.C. who have introduced a brilliant bill to enable states to establish universal healthcare systems with support from the federal government. I assure my fellow New Yorkers that we could establish a single payer system through the NY Health Act without a federal waiver, but the State-Based Universal Health Care Act would make that process far more seamless and ultimately, make healthcare more accessible and affordable and fix our broken healthcare system,” said Senator Rivera.

SENATOR RIVERA VISITS TO SENIOR CENTERS AHEAD OF ANNUAL SENIOR HEALTH FAIR AND LUNCHEON!

This week, Senator Rivera visited R.A.I.N. Boston Road Senior Center, JASA Sue Ginsburg Senior Center, Sister Annunciata Bethell Senior Center, and the Riverdale Y to greet seniors and invite them to his annual Senior Health Fair and Luncheon.

Senator Rivera had a wonderful time sharing stories, enjoying lunch with seniors, and even participating in a fun karaoke session at the Sister Annunciata Bethell Senior Center. Thank you to everyone for the warm welcome!

Senator Rivera’s Senior Health Fair and Luncheon will take place on Thursday, July 10 at Lehman College’s Music Building. There will be entertainment, health screenings, raffle prizes, refreshments, and more!

IMPORTANT: RSVP is required. Call our office at 718-933-2034 to make your reservation. You will receive a confirmation number once you RSVP

SENATOR RIVERA AND ASSEMBLYMEMBER JOHN ZACCARO JR. ANNOUNCE $500,000 FOR BRONX HOUSE AFTERSCHOOL

Yesterday, State Senator Gustavo Rivera was honored to present a check for $250,000 to Bronx House to keep the doors open for the afterschool program next school year.

Senator Rivera and Assemblymember John Zaccaro Jr. joined Bronx House staff, children and families from this great program to celebrate the end of the school year and the $500,000 secured to ensure families can access high quality after school in their own neighborhood.

“I’m incredibly proud of the half a million dollars that Assemblymember Zaccaro Jr. and I secured for Bronx House’s after school program,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “With the cost of childcare continuing to rise, this substantial funding will keep this vital program running, which in turn, will ensure that countless parents in our community and their children continue to enjoy the resources and services offered by this program. I want to thank Executive Director Howie Martin for his advocacy and partnership in this process. I am committed to helping organizations such as Bronx House that offer essential services to our neighbors.”

Bronx House’s after school program “aims to help improve children’s academic performance, as well as promote healthy lifestyles, social skills, literacy skills, and service to the community.” This funding will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the Bronx House community, especially our children.

SENATOR RIVERA PASSES SEVERAL BILLSIN THE LAST WEEK OF THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Early this morning, the Senate marked the final day of the 2025 legislative session. In the last week, several of Senator Rivera‘s bills passed the Senate floor securing important advances in public health, consumer protection, community empowerment, and criminal justice and pension reform. Here are some of the highlights:

S.1224: Guarantees that school-based health centers are permanently carved out from Medicaid managed care and fiscally stable.

S.428: Requires chain restaurants to label menu items that have a high sodium content.

S.1634: Requires both public and private insurers to increase their spending on primary care until it reaches at least 12.5% of their total healthcare spending.

S.2329: Allow community participation during the license renewal or transfer process for motor vehicle repair shops.

S.3581: Assist in identifying lead service lines across New York, so that they can be replaced.

S.614: Enroll incarcerated individuals and those leaving incarceration in medical assistance benefits to ensure successful social reintegration.

For more information about Senator Rivera‘s bills, check this post.

STATE SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON PARTNERSHIP OF KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY'S NEW DEVELOPER AND THE NORTHWEST BRONX COMMUNITY CLERGY COALITION

“The agreement between the Kingsbridge Armory’s new developer, 8th Regiment Partners LLC, and the Northwest Bronx Community Clergy Coalition is the start of an exciting partnership that will give a historic organizing force from our community a seat at the table in the Armory’s transformation process.

Bronx Community Board 7’s public hearings are a significant part of the ULURP process and the announcement of this partnership is a welcome milestone as we work together to realize our community’s vision. I am committed to maintaining a watchful eye to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, and generates good-paying union jobs. Our community’s aspirations, needs, and concerns about this development must be thoroughly reflected in a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement that includes enforceable anti-displacement measures to protect small businesses and clear frameworks for community ownership and revenue-sharing mechanisms to directly benefit local residents.

This historic building must become an asset to us: northwest Bronx residents, local small business owners, community organizations, and future generations of Bronxites to come. We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes and I am hopeful that this agreement is a step in the right direction.”

This week, Senator Rivera participated in a panel discussion about the New York Health Act as part of the AAPI Summit held in Albany today. During the panel, Senator Rivera and his fellow panelists, which included the Campaign for New York Health Executive Director’s Melanie D’Arrigo, discussed topics such as equity and access in the healthcare system, policy and political realities, and the role of AAPI organizations and communities

Follow the New York Health Campaign here and join us in the fight for guaranteed healthcare!

This week, Senator Rivera welcomed members of 1199 SEIU (Union Healthcare Workers East) to discuss their legislative priorities related to healthcare now that budget has been finalized. Thank you for coming to Senator Rivera’s office!

This week, Senator Rivera joined the Caring Majority Rising and colleagues to call on the passage of his CDPAP Accountability Act (S.1189), which recently passed the Senate Health Committee. As a result of the failed CDPAP transition, New Yorkers are losing access to home care services, and the workers providing this care are losing their jobs. The lack of transparency surrounding the transition, and the failure to provide a contingency plan to prevent disruptions in care and employment are unacceptable.

“My CDPAP Accountability Act offers a reasonable alternative to mitigate care disruptions resulting from the failed CDPAP transition while restoring trust in the program. Patients need to get back care they lost and workers need to get paid. The Governor needs to fix what she broke,” said Senator Rivera.

During the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) instructed the State Department of Health, which oversees HRA, to temporarily suspend the closure of Medicaid cases for clients who failed to respond to renewal forms sent to their address of record.

This suspension will end in April 2025, marking the conclusion of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency unwind. Going forward, only clients who receive and respond to their renewal forms and are deemed eligible will continue to receive Medicaid benefits.

Clients who do not respond to their renewal will have their cases closed, starting with those whose authorization ends in April 2025. No further extensions will be granted, and these clients will begin receiving their renewal forms by mail as early as January.

A cover letter titled “Act Now! Medicaid Renewal Rules Have Changed” (MAP3185a) will be included with all Medicaid renewal notices. This letter will inform clients that they or someone in their household must complete a Medicaid renewal to maintain eligibility for services and will outline the necessary steps to successfully renew their Medicaid coverage.

The City has also created a dedicated Palm Card with instructions to help clients find their current Medicaid renewal status online via ACCESS HRA or by phone at 888-692- 6116.

Senator Rivera’s team has created a Know Your Rights palm card (available in English and Spanish). Watch Senator Rivera’s message here.

Remember, If your organization, or school would like to receive these cards, please fill out the form here and a staff member from our team will follow up to confirm your request.

If you are an individual constituent, call our office at 718-933-2034 or visit us at 2432 Grand Concourse, Suite 506, Monday through Thursday, from 10 am to 5 pm.

This week, seniors from the RAIN Boston Road Older Adults Center received free orchids from the annual Orchid Show hosted by the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG)! Thank you to the NYBG for working with our office and providing these wonderful orchids to seniors in my district!

Last weekend, Senator Rivera visited “Uptown Rumble: Heavy Music in The Bronx.” This powerful new exhibit, that the Senator was proud to support, explores the borough’s deep roots in hardcore punk, metal, and rock, at the Museum of Bronx History. The exhibit will be open to the public until November and will feature various events and programs both at the Museum and at other sites.

Last week, Senator Rivera attended the grand opening of Capital One’s new cafe at their Fordham Road branch. This new cafe will offer an enhanced banking experience for all members of our community. Senator Rivera was also thankful of the $1 million investment that Capital One has made to community organizations that support local businesses in The Bronx.

Yesterday, Senator Rivera hosted a Homeownership 101 Virtual Training in partnership with the New York Legal Assistance Group (NYLAG).

During the virtual training, participants learned about a variety of topics including the differences between co-ops, condos, and homes; the processes involved in buying and selling these types of properties; the government resources available to those homeowners who are at risk of foreclosure or currently in foreclosure proceedings, and so much more. Thank you to NYLAG, especially Florida and Rose, for helping organize and present the webinar!

This week, Senator Rivera was grateful to have met with The New York Midwives to discuss critical legislation that protects reproductive freedom, expands access to care, and strengthens midwifery across New York. Thank you for coming to Senator Rivera’s office!

This week, Senator Rivera joined The New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) and and other pro-immigration allies in calling to pass The New York For All Act (NY4All).

“Our state and local authorities should not act as federal immigration officers. We cannot allow ourselves to become part of the Trump administration’s deportation squad that is literally kidnapping New Yorkers off the streets like they did with Merwil Gutiérrez,” said Senator Rivera.

This week, Senator Rivera held the sixth Health Committee meeting of the year, where 30 bills including 11 of his were passed:

S.427: Added Sugar Labeling in Chain Restaurants: This bill requires chain restaurants to label menu items that are high in added sugars. It empowers New Yorkers and their families to make more informed food choices and aims to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes, obesity, and heart disease. Additionally, it raises public awareness about the health impacts of excessive sugar consumption. Click here for more information about the bill.

S.1857: The Hospital Medical Debt Relief Act: This bill establishes a three-year pilot hospital medical debt relief program to provide hospital medical debt relief to eligible residents of the state utilizing a not-for-profit organization to identify, acquire and cancel medical debt of such eligible residents directly from health care providers in the state. Click here for more information about the bill.

Senator Rivera on the Dismissal of Charges against Eric Adams by the Trump Department of Justice

“It is truly disgraceful that Eric Adams has sold our city to the Trump administration to shield himself from his legal challenges. By doing so, he is disregarding the values that our City has stood for since its foundation, and that he promised to uphold the day he was sworn into office.

“His latest policy shift on how city employees should engage with federal immigration authorities will put New Yorkers in harm’s way. Now, schools, shelters, hospitals, and houses of worship which our City’s sanctuary laws have historically protected, will become targets, leaving some of the most vulnerable at the mercy of ICE.

“In fact, this dangerous trend is already being felt in our schools, where the fear of ICE enforcement is directly impacting attendance. Many students are staying home fearful that they or their families could be detained and separated.

“The authoritarianism of the Trump administration, which Eric Adams has now allowed to enter our City, will attempt to dismantle the progress we have made over the years. New Yorkers deserve a leader who prioritizes and protects our rights, not one who will cravenly sell them out for the sake of saving his sorry behind.

“Eric Adams should resign. He has demonstrated that he is unfit to lead the greatest city in the world. His corrupt actions prove that he is willing to sell himself to the highest bidder, which denotes a profound lack of a moral compass and the commitment needed to be Mayor of New York City.

“I am deeply committed to standing with and supporting my fellow New Yorkers who find themselves potentially targeted by this federal administration, and unlike the coward Eric Adams, I will fight to ensure they are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.”

Senator Rivera on Con Edison's Recent Proposal for a Double-Digit Rate Increase on Electric and Gas Bills

“I am deeply concerned about Con Edison’s recent proposal for a double-digit rate increase for the more than 3.4 million customers they serve in New York and Westchester Counties. If approved, New Yorkers would see an 11.4% increase on their electric bill and a 13.3% increase on their gas bill, which would aggressively impact the residents of the Bronx, whom I represent.

“This issue is particularly critical because The Bronx already has the highest energy costs in New York City and New York State, paying an average of $251 per month. Bronx residents shouldn’t have to choose between paying their utility bills and covering other essential expenses when they are already struggling to make ends meet. Everyone deserves to keep the lights on and stay warm.

“I trust that the regulatory commission will put consumers first and reject the requested rate increases, and I urge the Public Service Commission to reject this proposal given the current affordability crisis facing our state.

“This situation is also a moment to reflect on the need to promote clean energy transition projects that would make us less dependent on traditional energy sources and result in lower costs for New Yorkers. While our infrastructure is aging and costly and should be updated, we should not pass this burden on to customers. That’s why we need the legislature to step up and pass bills like my Bucks for Boilers Act to ease the burden on working families in New York State.”

The New York City Department of Sanitation is announcing that Christmas tree collection is now any week you want! Are you a family that takes the tree down on Christmas? Do you hold out for all twelve days? Rather wait until May? It’s all ok!

Thanks to the expansion of curbside composting collection, city residents no longer must wait to get rid of their trees during a specific time period. Naked trees – trees without decoration, ornaments and stands – can go to the curb for collection on your curbside compost day, the same day the rest of your recycling is collected.

Christmas trees are treated similarly to the other material the Department collects for composting, where food scraps, food-soiled paper products and yard waste are turned in to finished compost or renewable energy.

Trees and natural wreaths should be set at the curb next to other compostable materials. Trees should not be wrapped in plastic bags.

Before curbside composting, the Department announced a limited number of dates Christmas trees would be collected.

Need to get rid of an artificial tree? Residents looking to get rid of an artificial tree should separate and remove the metal base and trunk and place those parts with their other metal recycling.

For more information on Christmas tree collection and recycling visit www.nyc.gov/dsny or call 311.

SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA ON THE SELECTION OF THE KINGSBRIDGE ARMORY'S NEW DEVELOPER

“The Kingsbridge Armory represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the Kingsbridge area and The Bronx overall. That’s why I’m cautiously optimistic about the recent selection of 8th Regiment Partners LLC as the Armory’s new developer. While this is an overdue step given how long this site has been vacant, I’m committed to maintaining a watchful eye on the new developer to ensure that the new project fosters economic growth, leads in sustainability, and generates good-paying union jobs. Further, our community’s aspirations, needs, and concerns must be thoroughly reflected with a legally binding Community Benefits Agreement.

The project must include enforceable anti-displacement measures to protect small businesses by ensuring that any retail activity within the Armory complements existing commercial corridors. This also means that we need to establish clear frameworks for community ownership and revenue-sharing mechanisms that directly benefit local residents.

The Armory is a beacon of hope for small business owners and families in our borough and beyond. Therefore, the selected proposal must take into consideration the vision of this neighborhood and the Bronx Community Land Trust (CLT). We cannot afford to repeat past mistakes where selected developers prioritized profit while undermining and displacing our community.

I would like to once again extend my gratitude to the dedicated community leaders who have worked for decades to ensure that the Armory is transformed by the Bronx and for the Bronx. I will continue working with them and all local stakeholders to make sure that this project finally fulfills its potential and prioritize the prosperity of our neighbors and our borough.”

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING LAST WEBINAR (01/08)

Starting January 5, 2025, vehicles entering the Congestion Relief Zone in Manhattan—local streets and avenues at or below 60 St—will be charged a toll. The program will reduce traffic, improve air quality, and fund better public transit.

The MTA is hosting eight public webinars in December where people can learn about Congestion Relief Zone tolling. Webinars will explain why New York needs congestion pricing, how the Congestion Relief Zone works, what the toll rates are, who is entitled to discounts and exemptions, and other things people need to know before tolling begins on Sunday, January 5. The sessions will feature a brief presentation, followed by Q&A.

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.

Much of the country will be hit with extreme low temperatures over the next week as a polar vortex sends cold air down from the North Pole.

How can you prepare for it? Here is what you can do:

STAY SAFE INDOORS

Prevent Fires and Carbon Monoxide Poisoning:

Change batteries in carbon monoxide detectors and smoke alarms.
Check that they are installed in areas where people sleep and on each floor of your home.

Take these Steps if you do not have Heat or Hot Water:

Tell your building superintendent, property manager or owner right away. Call 311 if the problem is not fixed quickly.
Go to a warm place, such as a friend’s or family member’s home.

Until Your Heat is Fixed, Heat Your Home Safely:

Never use a stove, oven or charcoal grill to heat your home. Kerosene heaters and propane space heaters are illegal in NYC.
If you use an electric space heater, only plug it directly into the wall outlet.

STAY SAFE OUTDOORS

Keep Warm:

Dress in dry, loose-fitting layers.
Cover exposed skin, such as your face and hands.

Prevent Slips and Falls:

Take care when walking on snow and ice, especially if you are an older adult.
Wear sturdy shoes or boots.
Take short steps and walk at a slow pace.
Use handrails on stairs.

Be Careful When Shoveling Snow:

In NYC, homeowners are responsible for shoveling snow. Shovel slowly and take breaks often.
If you are an older adult or have a disability and need snow shoveled, call 311 and ask if volunteer snow removal services are available in your neighborhood.

Watch for Signs of Hypothermia and Frostbite:

Hypothermia and frostbite are serious conditions caused by spending long periods of time in very cold temperatures.

Hypothermia is when your body temperature drops to a dangerously low level. It can lead to death. Symptoms include:

Intense shivering
Sluggishness
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Trouble speaking
Confusion
Lack of Coordination
Shallow Breathing

Frostbite is when parts of the body freeze, especially your fingers, toes, ears, nose and cheeks. It can cause permanent damage. Symptoms include:

Red and painful skin or pale skin
Unusually firm or waxy skin
Numbness

Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you see symptoms of hypothermia or frostbite.

*Source: NYC Health: https://www.nyc.gov/site/doh/health/emergency-preparedness/emergencies-extreme-weather-cold-weather.page

SIGN UP FOR CONGESTION RELIEF ZONE TOLLING WEBINARS

Learn more about the sessions and register to attend here.

For more information, visit congestionreliefzone.mta.info.

UNTIL 12/31: NEW YORK STATE PARKS NOW HIRING PARK RANGERS FOR 2025

New York State Parks is looking to fill Park Ranger positions statewide for the 2025 Summer season. Park Rangers serve as ambassadors for the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation. They help oversee a variety of environments including campgrounds, tourist attractions, beaches, marinas, trails, park offices, and more!

Park Ranger job duties range from responding to calls for assistance to proactively engaging with visitors in the parks and helping to maintain a safe environment for all. If you have a passion for the outdoors and love to connect with people, this could be the job for you! Apply before December 31.

SENATOR RIVERA ON THE RESULTS OF THE 2024 ELECTION

SENATOR RIVERA TESTIFIES AT NEW YORK CITY COUNCIL HEARING ON THE EFFECTS OF HOSPITAL CLOSURES

This week, Senator testified in front of the New York City Council’s Committees on Hospitals and Health special hearing: Effects of Hospital Closures on Community Needs. Senator Rivera discussed his Local Input in Community Healthcare Act (S8843A/1633B), which is currently awaiting the Governor’s signature.

Senator Rivera’s legislation will address gaps in the state’s current review of proposed hospital and critical unit closures. It will also make our communities key stakeholders in a decision-making process with serious impacts on health equity by requiring community input.

Senator Rivera looks forward to Governor Hochul signing this bill into law to ensure communities have a say in their local healthcare access.

Senator Rivera on the Senate's Vote Legalizing the Adult Use of Marihuana

“Today, we are putting an end to the devastating impacts of marihuana prohibition and ensuring an equitable and diverse industry in our state for adult-use marihuana by passing the Marihuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA). This bill responsibly regulates the adult-use marihuana market, improves New York’s medical marihuana program, and directs new revenues and resources to Black and Brown communities, who have been historically harmed by its criminalization. I proudly voted for this legislation because racial and economic justice are at its core.

This victory would not have been possible without the steadfast leadership of Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and the bill’s longtime sponsor, my friend, Senator Liz Krueger. But, above all, it would have never happenned without the tireless work of advocates who have championed comprehensive, equitable solutions to a policy failure that has harmed too many New Yorkers.”

Senator Rivera on Allegations About Scott Stringer

“When a survivor speaks out about their experience with sexual harassment, we need to listen and seek the accountability that the situation demands.

I support Jean Kim’s decision to share her experience in a climate that has only recently begun to listen. In that regard, we all have a responsibility to foster a safe environment for women to share their stories of predation, abuses, and harassment. Progress cannot occur in the dark and we owe a debt to survivors brave enough to shed light. I urge Scott Stringer and his campaign to demonstrate respect for all survivors by rejecting attacks on Ms. Kim as an individual.

If we are truly going to end the normalization of sexual harassment and violence in our society, particularly against women and women of color, these basic standards of decency must apply to everyone, friends or otherwise.”

STATEMENT ON GOV. HOCHUL'S SELECTION OF CDPAP FISCAL INTERMEDIARY

This week, Senator Rivera issued a statement in response to Governor Kathy Hochul’s announcement that the Executive has selected a Georgia-based company, Public Partnerships LLC (PPL), as the statewide fiscal intermediary for New York’s Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program (CDPAP), which provides essential home care services to approximately 250,000 New Yorkers. Senator Rivera has serious concerns about this selection, citing PPL’s track record of failing to pay workers on time. Additionally, in other states where PPL was chosen, those states transitioned away from the company, negatively impacting enrollees.

Senator Rivera will continue to advocate for his legislation (S9901) to address the problems with the current program.

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SENATOR RIVERA NAMED ONE OF POLITICSNY & AMNY METRO LATINO POWER PLAYERS

Senator Rivera was honored to be included in the inaugural Latino Power Players 2024 list by PoliticsNY and amNY. Senator Rivera knows that it is a privilege to advocate for our Latino community and inspire others to make a difference in our state.

SENATOR RIVERA AND KRVC HOST ST. BARNABAS HOSPITAL'S MAMMOGRAPHY VAN

This week, Senator Rivera partnered with The Kingsbridge Riverdale Van Cortlandt Development Corp (KRVC) to offer free Mammogram screenings, courtesy of the St. Barnabas Hospital (SBH) Mammogram Van. October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and regular mammogram screenings are essential for early breast cancer detection. Thank you to Laura Levine-Pinedo and SBH for partnering with the Senator.

Individuals in New York are eligible for a free mammogram even without insurance through the New York State Cancer Services program from the NYS Department of Health. To learn more about the program, click here.

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS INAUGURAL ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE FAIR

Senator Rivera had a wonderful time last Saturday with neighbors at his inaugural Environmental Justice Fair at Williamsbridge Oval. Over 300 kids and families joined the Senator to explore local climate solutions, enjoy challenge cards, and win surprise raffle prizes. Attendees engaged in hands-on activities and sustainable arts and crafts, all while learning how to make a positive impact. Thanks to our sponsors Ponce Bank, Metro Plus Health, Bronx River Alliance, Patagonia, Crazy Fruits, and all the organizations that helped make this event such a success!

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDED "A DAY TO REMEMBER" AT THE BRONX JEWISH CENTER

Senator Rivera attended a memorial at the Bronx Jewish Center for the one-year anniversary of the October 7th attacks on Israel. We mourn the innocent people who lost their lives on October 7th and all those lost in the ongoing war in the past year in the Middle East. We hope every day that every hostage is released unharmed. We must unite in our efforts to create a world without war, one where no one suffers from the horrors of conflict and terror. Thank you to Rabbi Pewzner and the Bronx Jewish Center for inviting Senator Rivera to this memorial.

SENATOR RIVERA TOURED SUN RIVER HEALTH

Senator Rivera visited Sun River Health in the Bronx this week. The Senator had the opportunity to see firsthand the positive impact their services have on the lives of those they serve. During the visit, Senator Rivera met with healthcare professionals, toured the facilities, and engaged with patients and staff to better understand the challenges and successes of their mission.

Senator Rivera had the opportunity to discuss the issues federally qualified health centers (FQHC) face across New York State. That is why he carries the bill S6959A to update the current reimbursement rates for FQHC’s that have not been updated since the year 1995. In order for community health clinics across New York to continue to serve patients, we must ensure they can stay open in medically underserved communities throughout our State. Thank you to Anne Kauffman Nolon, Chief Executive Officer, and Ernest Klepeis, Chief of Government Affairs and Advocacy, for the invitation.

SENATOR GUSTAVO RIVERA HOSTS A MEET & GREET ON THE NY HEALTH ACT AT THE BRONX HOUSE

This week, Senator Rivera hosted a Meet & Greet on the NY Health Act with neighbors. Senator Rivera answered questions and discussed the benefits of the NY Health Act, which would guarantee health care to every New Yorker by creating a single-payer, universal health care system based on New Yorkers’ ability to pay. Senator Rivera shared that we can improve the quality of care by taking private health insurance out of the equation and putting patients before profits. Thank you to Bronx House for providing the location and facilities for this Meet & Greet!

SENATOR RIVERA JOINED FIRST BRONX TECH HUB CAREER FAIR!

Senator Rivera attended the first Bronx Tech Hub Job Fair at Fordham University, organized by Fix It With Piggy. This fair was a success with over 300 attendees! These spaces are so important for young people in our community to network and gain access to the tech world. Thanks to Ashonda Culcleasure, founder of Fix It With Piggy, for inviting Senator Rivera to this wonderful event!

SENATOR RIVERA INTRODUCES BILL TO ELIMINATE OUT OF POCKET COSTS FOR INHALERS

“Our state must use every tool we have to address the serious asthma crisis that disproportionately affects children in the Bronx and other parts of New York impacted by environmental and economic injustice. I’m proud to introduce legislation with Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas that recognizes how imperative it is to remove the financial barriers to life-saving inhalers,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “No parent should have to spend hundreds of dollars for an inhaler that can save their child’s life.”

This week, Senator Gustavo Rivera and Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas introduced legislation (S9906/A10692) which would eliminate deductibles, copayments, coinsurance, or any other cost-sharing requirements for asthma inhalers.

In January 2023, the New York State Department of Health (NYSDOH) released the Asthma Burden in NYC Report that showed the Bronx had a substantially higher asthma mortality rate than other NYC boroughs as well as the highest pediatric emergency department visit rates among NYC. Additionally, almost every census tract represented by Senator Rivera has been designated a disadvantaged community by the Climate Justice Working Group. Senator Rivera believes that there should be no financial barrier for life-saving treatments like inhalers.

Senator Rivera was honored to celebrate the grand opening of the new Fulton Reentry Community Center in Claremont after almost a decade since the Osborne Association received the keys to the former correctional facility with a promise to repurpose it.

Senator Rivera is proud to have secured the transfer of this facility to Osborne back in 2013. After seen this project being completed, Senator Rivera remains inspired by the mission of this center to help formerly incarcerated New Yorkers reenter society with the resources and support they deserve to be productive members of their communities. This center offers a future to those New Yorkers and Bronxites returning home and serves as a symbol for the borough that recidivism can be reversed by investing in economic stability.

To learn more about the Fulton Community Reentry Center, you can read the Bronx Times’ coverage of the Center’s opening here.

This week, Senator Rivera introduced his Bucks for Boilers Act (S9099).

This goal of this bill is to transform buildings across the State into energy-efficient, zero-emissions systems that will save New Yorkers hundreds of dollars a year, while making their homes healthier and safer. This bill will bring us one step closer to accomplishing our State’s clean energy and climate goals.

If you are interested in learning more about the bill and its potential impact on our State, Senator Rivera invites you to read the study that the think tank WIN Climate commissioned detailing the positive effects of this legislation.

SENATOR RIVERA ON THE 2024-2025 STATE BUDGET

Last week, Senator Rivera joined with the Senate Majority to vote in favor of the 2024-2025 Budget. While there were disappointments along the way, Senator Rivera was proud that the Senate Majority Conference led by Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins fought tirelessly to reduce the harm that many of the Executive proposals would have caused.

The work does not stop with the end of this process. In the few weeks remaining in this legislative session, Senator Rivera will focus on addressing the concerns of working-class New Yorkers that were not addressed in this budget by the Governor’s heavy-handed austerity and misaligned priorities during a period of extreme wealth inequality.

To read Senator Rivera’s statement in full, please click here.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS 1199'S MARCH FOR HOMECARE WORKERS

This week, Senator Rivera attended a march and press conference organized by 1199 SEIU, CDPAANYS, The Caring Majority and other advocacy organizations in which we opposed the Executive’s proposed freezing of CDPAP’s workers wages. Senator Rivera reiterated that the drastic cuts in the Executive budget proposal are detrimental for New Yorkers and will exacerbate the workforce shortages that hurt communities throughout the state.

Senator Rivera also spoke about his Home Care Savings & Reinvestment Act (S7800) as an alternative to these drastic cuts. This legislation will save hundreds of millions a year in long term care by removing private insurance companies from the equation, ensuring that we put people first.

Read the op-ed Senator Patrick Gallivan and I co-wrote for the Buffalo News where we explain our opposition to the proposed CDPAP cuts because this program is essential for so many New Yorkers regardless of political affiliation.

4/15 TO 4/17: GET YOUR IDNYC CARD WITH SENATOR RIVERA AND COUNCILMEMBER SANCHEZ!

Senator Rivera will host the IDNYC van in collaboration with Councilmember Sanchez’s office. Appointments are available:

Monday, April 15th from 10 am – 5 pm
Tuesday, April 16th from 10 am – 1 pm
Wednesday, April 17 from 10 am – 5 pm

Call our office at 718-933-2034 to make an appointment and learn which documents you will need to bring to apply to get the IDNYC card.

Senator Gustavo Rivera is participating in the New York State Senate’s Youth Leadership Recognition Awards program. This program honors outstanding students who will become our future leaders. Eligible students include current sophomores, juniors, and seniors who excel not only academically, but through leadership in extracurricular and volunteer activities. Students selected to receive this award will receive a congratulatory personalized certificate from Senator Rivera.

All nominations must be submitted by March 22nd, 2024. The nominator must be a school administrator or educator. To learn more about this award and nominate a student, visit the New York State Senate website.

SENATOR RIVERA CELEBRATES TREMONT AVE B & D TRAINS BEING FULLY ACCESSIBLE

Senator Rivera j oined the MTA and other elected officials in celebrating the new elevators for the Tremont Avenue B and D station, which is now fully accessible to all in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

“Five years ago, I wrote to the MTA, joined by the Bronx Senate Delegation, urging them to meet the acute need for accessible subway stations in our borough, which has a higher proportion of elderly and physically disabled residents. I am thrilled that the MTA has listened to us and prioritized our needs by opening another elevator on the B/D line at Tremont Avenue. I am proud of the progress we’re making for public transit riders and community members that depend on accessible transportation,”

said State Senator Gustavo Rivera.

SENATOR RIVERA HEALTH COMMITTEE PASSES 12 BILLS

This week, the New York State Senate Health Committee passed 12 bills. Six of those bills are sponsored by Senator Rivera, including legislation to ensure telehealth reimbursement parity for Community Health Centers serving as critical healthcare access points in low-income communities and to require reimbursement for durable medical equipment providers.

SENATOR RIVERA HOSTS WORKSHOPS FOR 53RD ANNUAL BLACK, PUERTO RICAN, HISPANIC AND ASIAN CAUCUS WEEKEND!

Last weekend, during the 53rd Annual Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Caucus, Senator Rivera hosted the “Ending Healthcare Disparities” workshop. Attendees learned more about the role that the Medicaid program can and should play to ensure access to high quality care. Senator Rivera was joined by an expert panel which included representatives from 1199 SEIU, One Brooklyn Health, Lehman College, and the Cornell Center for Health Equity. The panel was moderated by Ann Tripp from the Steve Harvey Show and News Director for WBLS and WLIB Radio.

Senator Rivera also hosted the “Stop Rockefeller 2.0” workshop during Caucus Weekend in Albany. Attendees learned more about harm reduction policies including Overdose Prevention Centers (OPCs) from leaders in the field from VOCAL-NY, St. Ann’s Corner of Harm Reduction, the Bronx Defenders, and OnPoint NYC, which operates the two groundbreaking OPCs in NYC.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS DAVID ROGERS COLLOQUIUM

On Wednesday, Senator Rivera spoke in front of 50 medical students, faculty, and professionals at the David Rogers Colloquium in Manhattan. Senator Rivera discussed the New York Health Act and ending healthcare disparities in New York by creating a healthcare delivery system that centers patients instead of profits. Thank you to Dr. Fein and Dr. Cole for inviting Senator Rivera to speak.

Learn more about the New York Health Act and our fight for a single payer healthcare system at nyhcampaign.org.

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS BLACK HISTORY MONTH CELEBRATION AT THE NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Senator Rivera joined fellow elected officials and community leaders at the Black History Month Celebration at the New York Botanical Garden. Senator Rivera discussed how black history shows us that we must continue to stand united and in defiance against oppression. Thank you to Council Member Kevin Riley for hosting this beautiful event!

SENATOR RIVERA JOINS THE BRONX SENATE DELEGATION BUDGET FORUM

Senator Rivera joined his colleagues for the Bronx Senate Delegation Budget Forum. This forum was a great opportunity for community members to share priorities, concerns, and suggestions for the New York State Budget. The Bronx Delegation is united to make sure this budget serves The Bronx. Thank you to Senator Nathalia Fernandez for organizing this important event!

SENATOR RIVERA ATTENDS 46TH PRECINCT COUNCIL MEETING

Senator Rivera attended the 46th Precinct Community Council meeting to discuss the work that he is doing for The Bronx. Thank you to Community Council President Basil Moore, Inspector Scheublin, and the council’s members for welcoming the Senator.

BXDA Community News: From the Courtroom to the Community

June 12, 2025

Greetings,

The prevalence of gun violence in our borough has been especially disturbing and saddening, because children and teens are the victims and the shooters in increasing numbers. Adolescence should be a time of developing character and values and learning peaceful resolutions to problems, not using a guns for a simple school-yard conflict.

During June, we are hyper-focused on sharing resources from across the borough, connecting people to programs, activities, and services available to them this National Gun Violence Awareness Month. Enough is enough- Enough with the guns! Enough of denying a safe childhood to our youth!

May was a pretty busy month, catch up on what we’ve been up to since our last installment. In June, we continue to advocate for Bronxites, we began the month advocating for legislation change to protect victims of sexual assault.

Happy Father’s Day! At BXDA, we honor the roles and love of fathers everywhere! The guidance and mentorship provided by fathers and father-figures is precious and priceless!

Yours in service,

District Attorney Clark

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Calendar of Events

NYCEM ISSUES WEATHER ALERT FOR SUNDAY, FEB. 1

In the near future, certain areas of New York City will see speed limits significantly reduced to as low as 20 or even 10 mph, thanks to Sammy's Law. This legislation empowers the city to modify speed limits in specific zones for enhanced safety

Air Quality Chart

Con Edison Penalized $4.3 Million for Mistakes Regarding Renewable Energy Credits

CON EDISON WINTER PREVIEW: ENERGY-SAVING TIPS, BUDGET BILLING, EXPANDED AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM Company Helps Customers Save Money With Energy Efficiency Programs, Income-Eligible Discounts

CON EDISON INVESTS IN INFRASTRUCTURE TO MEET INCREASED SUMMER ENERGY DEMAND Company Makes $2.35 Billion in Upgrades Across the 5 Boroughs and Westchester County, Offers Affordability Programs for Low- and Moderate-Income Customers

CON EDISON INVESTING IN MAJOR RELIABILITY PROJECTS SERVING CUSTOMERS IN BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND New Transmission Lines Will Help Meet Power Needs This Summer

CON EDISON INVESTING IN RELIABILITY; BEGINS CONSTRUCTION OF TRANSMISSION LINE IN WESTERN QUEENS TO MEET POWER NEEDS $125 Million Project Will Connect Two Substations, Serve Growing Demand for Electricity, Support the New Energy Future

10,000 AND COUNTING CON EDISON’S EV CHARGING INCENTIVE PROGRAM ACHIEVES MAJOR MILESTONE FOR DRIVERS

ENERGY AFFORDABILITY PROGRAM REDUCES BILLS UP TO $173 A MONTH FOR LOW-INCOME CUSTOMERS Payment Plans, Budget Billing, Low-Income Discounts Available

Con Edison to Customers: STAY INFORMED, ALERT TO AVOID SCAMS

CON EDISON PROVIDES $9 MILLION TO JUMP-START FIRST STUDENT SCHOOL BUS ELECTRIFICATION IN BROOKLYN

CON EDISON OFFERS CUSTOMERS PROGRAMS TO HELP THEM SAVE ENERGY AND MONEY THIS WINTER Company Offers Payment Plans, Budget Billing, Low-Income Discounts; Customers Can Save with Careful Usage, Energy Efficiency Programs

CON EDISON CUSTOMERS SHINE DURING CLIMATE WEEK; THE FUTURE FOR GREEN ENERGY SOLUTIONS IS BRIGHT

PSC Directs Con Edison, O&R to Take Next Steps on Natural Gas Planning Action Will Help the Two Utilities Meet New York’s Nation-Leading Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Targets

CON EDISON CREWS RESTORING CUSTOMERS IN WESTCHESTER COUNTY Company Reminds Customers to Stay Safe and Report Outages

GOVERNOR HOCHUL

Governor Hochul’s Budget Advances Historic Investments in NYSOFA Services and Priorities for Older Adults Governor Hochul proposes largest investment in aging services in New York State history

GOVERNOR HOCHUL AND DEPARTMENT OF STATE ANNOUNCE COMPLETION OF MAJOR $13.7 MILLION SEWER INFRASTRUCTURE PROJECT AS PART OF THE CENTRAL ISLIP DOWNTOWN REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE

FYI: GOVERNOR HOCHUL LAUNCHES EFFORT TO PROTECT NEW YORKERS AHEAD OF TOTAL SOLAR ECLIPSE ON APRIL 8

GOVERNOR HOCHUL AWARDS $1.1 MILLION TO FINANCIAL LITERACY PROGRAMS ACROSS THE STATE

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL, MTA LAUNCH “SUBWAY SURFING KILLS – RIDE INSIDE, STAY ALIVE” PUBLIC INFORMATION CAMPAIGN

MAYOR ADAMS, GOVERNOR HOCHUL ANNOUNCE $70 MILLION INITIAL INVESTMENT TO DECARBONIZE NYCHA BUILDINGS AS PART OF CLEAN HEAT FOR ALL CHALLENGE

Governor Hochul Announces New Yorkers Can Now Choose an "X" Gender Marker on NYS Driver License and ID Cards

"AOC: Reigning Supreme in the Leftist Echo Chamber of Bluesky"

ICYMI: AOC Talks Reasons Behind AOC-Trump Voters, Trump Nominations on The ReidOut

Schumer Statement on Funding for Second Avenue Subway

Schumer Statement On Republican Chaos And Senate Democrats’ Unity In DHS Funding Fight

Leader Schumer Statement On Dylan Contreras Being Released By ICE

Schumer Statement on Detainment of Columbia Student

SCHUMER TO BRING RAIZA CONTRERAS, BRONX MOTHER OF THE FIRST NYC PUBLIC SCHOOL STUDENT DETAINED BY TRUMP’S ICE, AS HIS PERSONAL GUEST TO PRESIDENT TRUMP’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND DELIVER FULL FUNDING FOR WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND ANNOUNCE OVER $22 MILLION IN FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE BRONX

AS FEWER NEW YORKERS GET FLU SHOTS, SCHUMER SOUNDS ALARM: RFK JR. WEAKENS FLU VACCINE RECOMMENDATIONS WHILE NEW YORK LEADS THE NATION IN FLU CASES WITH WORST SEASON IN YEARS; DANGERS FROM FLU INCREASE, PARTICULARLY FOR CHILDREN

Leader Schumer Floor Remarks In Support Of Legislation To Keep SNAP Funded And Avoid The Republicans’ Manufactured Hunger Crisis During The Government Shutdown

Schumer on the passing of Charlie Rangel

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: TRUMP & RFK JUST FIRED ANOTHER 16 HEALTH PROGRAM DOCS & SCIENTISTS AS WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM FLOUNDERS; SENATORS DEMAND NY GOP MEMBERS OF CONGRESS USE THEIR BUDGET VOTE AS LEVERAGE TO END THE CHAOS; POLITICAL GAMES JEOPARDIZING HEALTHCARE OF HEROES

SCHUMER, GILLIBRAND: TRUMP & RFK JUST FIRED ANOTHER 16 HEALTH PROGRAM DOCS & SCIENTISTS AS WORLD TRADE CENTER HEALTH PROGRAM FLOUNDERS; SENATORS DEMAND NY GOP MEMBERS OF CONGRESS USE THEIR BUDGET VOTE AS LEVERAGE TO END THE CHAOS; POLITICAL GAMES JEOPARDIZING HEALTHCARE OF HEROES

SCHUMER DEMANDS FEMA IMMEDIATELY REVERSE DEVASTATING $300+ MILLION CUT FOR DISASTER PREPARDNESS, FLOOD MITIGATION & INFRASTRUCTURE UPGRADES ACROSS NEW YORK TO ENSURE CONSTRUCTION CAN CONTINUE & TO KEEP NEW YORKERS SAFE

Breaking News From Major

Mayor Mamdani Invites New Yorkers to Weigh in on Locations for E-Bike Battery Swapping Cabinets Across New York City

Mayor Mamdani Takes Major Step Toward Citywide Trash Containerization, Announces Six New Districts

Mamdani Administration Unveils First-of-its-Kind Insurance Program to Reduce Operating Cost of Housing Across New York City

Mayor Mamdani Announces New Mayor’s Fund Board, Including Bronx Public School Teacher and Former Longshoreman

Mayor Mamdani Announces Seven New Early Childhood Education Centers Opening This Fall

Mayor Mamdani, Governor Hochul Announce State’s First Pied-à-Terre Tax, Requiring Ultrawealthy and Global Elites to Pay Their Fair Share

ICYMI: Mayor Mamdani, Joseph Stiglitz and Gabriel Zucman: “Tax day is a reminder of America’s unequal tax system. But we can fix it”

Mayor Mamdani Announces La Marqueta as First Site Identified for City’s Public Grocery Stores

Mayor Mamdani Unveils Proposal for Transformational Redesign of Brooklyn’s Grand Army Plaza

Mayor Mamdani Unveils Website Tracking First 100 Days Achievements

Bringing Universal Child Care to New York City: Mayor Mamdani Delivers for New York’s Cutest in First 100 Days

Municipal Madness: Mayor Mamdani Performs Winning City Fix, Cleans Up Illegal Dumping in Soundview on Day 100

Mayor Mamdani Takes on the Housing Crisis, Cracks Down on Bad Landlords in First 100 Days

Mayor Mamdani, Commissioner Levine Announce First-In-The-Nation Municipal “Click to Cancel” Rule to End Subscription Traps

Mamdani Administration Celebrates 2026 Spring Cycling Season with Helmet and Bike Light Giveaways

Mayor Mamdani Secures $9.3 Million for Workers, Delivers Sweeping Protections in First 100 Days

Mayor Mamdani Announces 2-K Will Be Full-Day and Full-Year

Mayor Mamdani Advances Redesign of Flatbush Avenue for Faster Buses, Better Reliability, Improved Safety

Mayor Mamdani, Senator Schumer, Worker's Justice Project Announce Nation's First Deliverista Hub

Mayor Mamdani Launches Child Care Provider Permitting Port

Mayor Mamdani Takes Bold, Unapologetic Actions to Protect New Yorkers in First 100 Days

Mamdani Administration Acts to Protect Immigrant Restaurant Owners From Delivery App Junk Fees

From Potholes to Historic Winter Storms, Mayor Mamdani Tackles City’s Biggest — and Smallest — Problems in First 100 Days

Mayor Mamdani Releases Preliminary Citywide Racial Equity Plan and True Cost of Living Measure

Mayor Mamdani Announces Opening of First-of-its-Kind Outposted Therapeutic Housing Unit as Part of Plan to Close Rikers Island

Mayor Mamdani Launches Office of Curb Management at NYC DOT to Modernize Curb Space and Improve Street Safety

Mayor Mamdani, Cardi B Announce 2-K Applications Open June 2; Launch Citywide Jingle Competition

STATEMENT FROM MAYOR ZOHRAN KWAME MAMDANI ON CITY COUNCIL’S PRELIMINARY BUDGET RESPONSE

Mamdani Administration Completes $24 Million Snow Operations and Composting Facilities in Brooklyn

MAYOR MAMDANI, CTO GELOBTER AND FREDERICK O’REILLY HAYES PRIZE FOUNDATION HONOR FOURTH ANNUAL HAYES INNOVATION PRIZE WINNERS

"The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams"
Eleanor Roosevelt

Mayor Mamdani Announces Seven New Early Childhood Education Centers Opening This Fall

MAYOR MAMDANI, CTO GELOBTER AND FREDERICK O’REILLY HAYES PRIZE FOUNDATION HONOR FOURTH ANNUAL HAYES INNOVATION PRIZE WINNERS

MAYOR MAMDANI VISITS NYC311 CALL CENTER TO THANK STAFF, TAKE CALLS FROM NYC RESIDENTS

MAYOR MAMDANI ANNOUNCES MAJOR 3-K EXPANSION, ADDING MORE THAN 1,000 NEW SEATS 