Massive Increase In Homeless New Yorkers Connected To Services, New Tools To Help New Yorkers Build Generational Wealth With Accessory Homes, Brownsville Recreation Center Plus Parks Workers Citywide Investment: Mayor Adams
Editor’s note: The following announcements were released by the Mayor’s Office over the course of the last few weeks. The Mayor celebrated connecting a larger percentage of homeless New Yorkers to services that it is hoped will help them become connected to housing. He also talks about new tools to help residents build generational wealth, which is one of the most important things for long-term social welfare. Brownsville Recreation Center received a new investment, and throughout the City, more parks workers will help improve quality of life for everyone.
MAYOR ADAMS, NORMAN SIEGEL CELEBRATE MASSIVE INCREASE IN PERCENTAGE OF HOMELESS NEW YORKERS BEING CONNECTED TO HOUSING THROUGH STREET HOMELESS ADVOCACY PROJECT
In Second Year, Volunteer Outreach Initiative Helped Nearly 50 Percent of Individuals Experiencing Homelessness Connect to Referral or Placement with Supportive Programs
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and veteran civil rights advocate and former executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union Norman Siegel today celebrated major milestones for the Street Homelessness Advocacy Project (SHAP) as the program marks two years since it began operating. SHAP is a volunteer outreach initiative that aims to build relationships and provide direct support to those experiencing homelessness.
SHAP’s primary purpose is to train volunteers, including those with lived experience, to advocate for and offer services to unhoused New Yorkers. Between year one and year two of the program, the SHAP team increased the percentage of homeless New Yorkers they are assisting in moving voluntarily off the streets and into some form of supportive programming from an approximate 33 percent success rate to almost 50 percent. Those interested in volunteering with SHAP should visit the SHAP website or email [email protected].
“Thanks to the Street Homelessness Advocacy Project, everyday New Yorkers are answering the call to volunteer and lend a helping hand to their neighbors in need, and their good work is paying off, with nearly 50 percent of homeless individuals connecting with SHAP choosing to voluntarily come off our streets,” said Mayor Adams.
“Solving our homelessness crisis requires each and every one of us to follow in the footsteps of SHAP volunteers by treating those experiencing homelessness with dignity and humanity. Thank you to all the volunteers, partner organizations, and to Norman Siegel for leading the way and working so no one is forced to sleep on the streets of our city.”
“Since the start of our administration, we said that we would no longer walk past our brothers and sisters in need without extending support,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Anne Williams-Isom. “SHAP is one way we are actualizing that commitment. The model shows that we can all play a role in connecting with our fellow New Yorkers and, when we do, roughly one out of two people are now voluntarily connecting to supportive programs. We also know that homelessness is a housing challenge. That is why our administration has connected more people than ever to CityFHEPS, and we are building more affordable housing in the months and years to come. Thank you to Norman and all our volunteers for their efforts over the last two years, and for all they will do in the time to come.”
“Effectively engaging New Yorkers experiencing homelessness and convincing them to access services requires understanding, respect, compassion, and trust, which are all built through sustained engagements over time,” said New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. “SHAP provides New Yorkers of all walks of life the opportunity to meaningfully participate in this critical work and help their vulnerable neighbors access life-changing supports. This initiative has been an effective supplement to the agency’s comprehensive outreach efforts, and we look forward to continuing to work alongside SHAP volunteers to support our neighbors in need.”
“SHAP’s vision and approach — the same volunteers conducting outreach at the same locations on the same day and time — increases the likelihood of trust being developed between the volunteer and the person experiencing homelessness,” said Norman Siegel, former executive director, New York Civil Liberties Union. “With our strong placement and referral rate over the past two years, the SHAP model has proven to be a successful model for helping people experiencing homelessness voluntarily leave the streets and parks of New York City.”
Since its formation, SHAP has made considerable progress in helping those experiencing homelessness connect with vital services. In its first year, SHAP successfully helped one out of three people experiencing homelessness voluntarily leave the streets. Now, in its second year, approximately one out of two people — 223 individuals experiencing homelessness out of 451 — that have interacted with SHAP have voluntarily left the streets through a referral or placement with a supportive program, a nearly 50 percent rate of success.
Any New Yorker who sees someone in need of assistance can call 311 or file a report through the 311 app.
The Adams administration continues to prioritize transitioning homeless New Yorkers from streets, subways, and homeless shelters into stable, permanent housing. Just last week, Mayor Adams announced that, for the second year in a row, the city has produced more supportive housing and housing for formerly homeless New Yorkers than ever before in New York’s history. The Adams administration additionally moved a record number of homeless New Yorkers into permanent housing through the highest usage of City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) housing vouchers, and placed a record number of formerly homeless households into permanently-affordable housing.
Additionally, in Fiscal Year (FY) 24, the city built the highest-ever count of supportive homes and homes for the homeless in the city’s history, and increased production of housing for the formerly homeless by 15 percent. DSS helped 16,902 households move out of shelter and into permanent housing over FY24, 12,526 of which were placed into subsidized permanent housing — a more than 20 percent increase over FY23.
MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW TOOLS TO HELP NEW YORKERS ADD ACCESSORY HOMES, BUILD GENERATIONAL WEALTH, AND CONTINUE TO REMAIN IN THEIR COMMUNITIES
Adams Administration Announces $4 Million Grant to Support Accessory Dwelling Unit Pilot and One-Stop Shop Online Portal for Interested Homeowners
Announcement Comes as Adams Administration Addresses Housing Crisis with “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” Proposal to Produce as Many as 108,850 New Homes Over 15 Years, Including by Legalizing Accessory Dwelling Units
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced multiple new tools to help New York City homeowners create accessory dwelling units (ADUs) that will not only help them to afford to remain in the communities they call home, but also to build generational wealth for families. ADUs are defined as any secondary independent unit on the same property as a primary home, including backyard cottages and basement apartments with separate entrances. The new tools include a one-stop shop portal to remove bureaucratic red tape and new a $4 million grant funding to support an ADU pilot program. ADUs are a proven solution to create critically-needed housing as the city faces a historic housing affordability and shortage crisis. Today’s announcement comes as the Adams administration aims to address the housing crisis with the “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” proposal, which aims to produce as many as 108,850 new homes over 15 years, including by legalizing ADUs.
“For our seniors fighting to stay in the neighborhoods they call home or young people struggling to find a living space, accessory dwelling units can be a lifeline to stable, affordable housing,” said Mayor Adams. “For too long, our policies have lived in the past and ignored the present: We are facing a generational housing crisis. The only solution is to build more, and make it easier, not harder, for homeowners to join government in addressing this crisis head on. Together, we can build our way towards a better future, but that must include saying ‘yes’ to ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ and legalizing accessory dwelling units.”
“From seniors struggling to age in place, to young families stretching to pay the mortgage, adding a small backyard cottage or basement apartment can be life changing,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Maria Torres-Springer. “Through ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,’ we’re making is easier for homeowners to earn extra income or provide space for multi-generational families. And by giving homeowners who add a new unit the full support of government, we are going to give New York families even more opportunity for homeownership and to build intergenerational wealth.”
“As we continue to push for more innovative, safe, and smart solutions to confront the housing crisis head-on, our work on ADUs stands out as a good tool for creating more housing in every neighborhood,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Adolfo Carrión Jr.
“The HPD pilot loan program provides support for homeowners to build a little more housing in their household. Paired with new flexible zoning, pre-approved plans, and a one-stop shop resource center, these tools will help all New Yorkers — from older adults aging in place to young adults to families looking to stay in the city.”
“New Yorkers feel the impact of our housing crisis every day, from seniors who are unable to stay in the communities they helped build to young families looking to purchase their first home,” said New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director Dan Garodnick. “Accessory homes are a proven solution to help provide space for a loved one or caretaker, or to bring in extra income — all without significant change to a neighborhood’s character. That’s why legalizing ADUs is a component of our proposal to enable a little more housing in every neighborhood.”
“The Adams administration is committed to creating safe, affordable housing in our city,” said New York City Department of Buildings (DOB) Commissioner Jimmy Oddo. “DOB is working closely with our partner agencies, so that when changes are made to city regulations, we can continue to maintain a streamlined and consistent construction application process for new projects. New Yorkers have come to expect high levels of efficiency from their government, and pairing new policy proposals with holistic toolkits for property owners helps deliver on those expectations.”
“To build our way out of a generational affordable housing crisis, our city needs to explore every option, every space, and every neighborhood to deliver the relief New Yorkers need,” said New York City Executive Director of Housing Leila Bozorg. “Whether you are a first-time homeowner searching for extra income or an older adult who has called New York City home for generations, accessory dwelling units are a proven solution to create affordable housing. Today, our administration proudly says ‘yes’ to accessory dwelling units, and we urge all of our partners to join us as we build a better, more affordable city for all.”
“We applaud Mayor Adams’ deep commitment and ongoing efforts to make New York City more affordable and livable for New Yorkers of all ages,” said New York City Department for the Aging Commissioner Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez. “‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ advances commonsense zoning reforms —including the modernization of antiquated rules around accessory dwelling units — that will allow older adults to age in-place, and enable them to create living arrangements to remain close to extended family and friends.”
“Every day, New Yorkers struggle with our city’s housing shortage, which hits older adults especially hard,” said AARP New York State Director Beth Finkel. “Many older New Yorkers live on fixed incomes and struggle to pay rent. Without an increase in affordable housing options, older New Yorkers and their caregivers — whose help is crucial to allow older adults to age in place and live independently — will struggle to remain in the city. As the city’s population continues to age, these concerns are likely to grow. We need to implement policies to ensure we have appropriate and affordable housing for older New Yorkers now and in the future. Allowing accessory dwelling units will give older New Yorkers the freedom to downsize, supplement their income, and live near their loved ones or caregivers. Let’s ensure that older New Yorkers can age in place and continue to contribute to making New York City great.”
ADUs have been shown to help homeowners provide a living space for loved ones or caretakers, bring in extra income, or provide extra space for families to grow, without significantly changing the look and feel of the neighborhood they are built in. In an AARP survey of people age 50 and older, seven in 10 respondents said they would consider building an ADU for a loved one who needs care.
The Plus One ADU pilot program provides up to $395,000 in funding to qualified homeowners through HPD and grant funding from New York State Homes and Community Renewal to build or convert an ADU on their property. Additionally, the program provides homeowners with financial and technical support, including predevelopment and construction resources. First launched in 2023, in its first two months, the pilot heard from more than 2,800 homeowners with nearly 80 percent of applicants reporting they were interested in improving their family’s finances or housing a family member with an ADU. The additional funding will allow up to 35 homeowners to add or convert a secondary home, as permitted under current zoning and building codes. To allow even more homeowners to benefit from an ADU, City of Yes for Housing Opportunity would permit one- or two-family homes in New York City to add an accessory dwelling unit of up to 800 square feet, while adhering to building code and other city and state regulations.
The administration also announced plans to create a “one-stop shop” of resources to help New Yorkers add an ADU to their properties, including step-by-step guides to help homeowners navigate the ADU process. This resource will include, for the first time in New York City’s history, a library of pre-approved designs, which will streamline permit approvals for safe accessory homes and lower costs for homeowners. New York’s pre-approved ADU design library will follow proven models in cities like Los Angeles and Eugene.
The Adams administration is in the middle of public review for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, the most pro-housing zoning proposal in New York City’s history. DCP estimates that the Adams administration’s City of Yes plan could produce as many as 108,850 new homes over the next 15 years. In addition to the City of Yes plan, DCP is advancing several robust plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years in the Metro North station area in the Bronx, Central Brooklyn, Midtown South in Manhattan, and Long Island City and Jamaica in Queens.
Since the start of his administration, Mayor Adams has made record investments towards creating and preserving affordable housing. Last week, Mayor Adams announced back-to-back record breaking years in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. In June, the Adams administration delivered an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invests $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and NYCHA’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed a record $26 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a general housing crisis. Last month, Mayor Adams and others announced a landmark $500 million investment from the Battery Park City Authority’s Joint Purpose Fund to build and maintain affordable housing. This spring, thanks to Mayor Adams’ vision and leadership, the city celebrated the largest 100 percent affordable housing project in 40 years with the Willets Point Transformation.
Further, the Adams administration is using every tool available to address the city’s housing crisis. Earlier this year, Mayor Adams and members of the administration successfully advocated for new tools in the 2024 New York state budget that will spur the creation of urgently needed housing. These tools include a new tax incentive for multifamily rental construction, a tax incentive program to encourage office conversions to create more affordable units, lifting the arbitrary “floor-to-area ratio” cap that held back affordable housing production in certain high-demand areas of the city, and the ability to create a pilot program to legalize and make safe basement apartments.
Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city is fulfilling its 2024 State of the City commitment to build more affordable housing, including being ahead of schedule on advancing two dozen affordable housing projects on city-owned land this year through the “24 in ‘24” initiative, reopening the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program waitlist after being closed to general applications for nearly 15 years, and creating the Tenant Protection Cabinet to coordinate across agencies to better serve tenants. The city has also taken several steps to cut red tape and speed up the delivery of much-needed housing, including through the “Green Fast Track for Housing,” a streamlined environmental review process for qualifying small- and medium-sized housing projects; the “Office Conversion Accelerator,” an interagency effort to guide buildings that wish to convert through city bureaucracy; and other initiatives of the Building and Land Use Approval Streamlining Taskforce.
“My support for City of Yes for Housing Opportunity is contingent upon the legalization of ADUs for good reason,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “ADUs are a straightforward method to add new density with minimal impacts to neighborhoods’ look and feel; they encourage a more equitable distribution of new housing growth across the city; and they can offer relief from financial pressures on homeowners who wish to create housing options for relatives or children, increase property value, and generate additional rental income. ADUs are a critical part of a comprehensive approach to increasing housing supply in every neighborhood, and I am glad to see Mayor Adams put funding into an ADU pilot program and support interested homeowners with an online portal.”
“Reaching our moonshot goal of 500,000 new affordable housing units in a decade is one of my top priorities for this city,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “In Albany, I fought to pass legislation to finance the pilot program Plus One ADU, and now Mayor Adams and DCP Commissioner Garodnick are putting it into action. At a time when half of tenants are rent burdened and there is a 1.4 percent vacancy rate, we must be creative and utilize every square inch of available space for affordable housing, including building accessory dwelling units. That is why today, we are launching a historic $4 million program empowering homeowners with capital and an expedited process for building or renovating ADUs. This will create thousands of housing units, while giving homeowners new sources of income. It is one of many tools we are implementing to ensure every New Yorker has a home.”
“Regional Planning Association’s Be My Neighbor report found that the type of common-sense land use changes proposed by City of Yes are key to a scalable accessory dwelling unit program,” said Moses Gates, vice president, housing and neighborhood planning, Regional Plan Association. “Passing this and investing in the Plus One Pilot program will help build new homes for New Yorkers, allow families to accumulate equity, and is a big step toward solving our housing crisis.”
“We strongly support the legalization and creation of accessory dwelling units in New York City as they serve a dual purpose of increasing the stock of quality, affordable housing while providing supplemental income to low- and moderate-income homeowners who want to remain in their homes and communities,” said Salvatore D’Avola, executive director, Restored Homes, Housing Development Fund Corporation. “Providing new tools and incentives to encourage homeowners to participate in the Plus One ADU Program will certainly act as a catalyst in expanding the pool of interested homeowners. We continue to be proud of our participation in the pilot program and thankful to our partners, including the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development and New York State Homes and Community Renewal for their continued commitment to this effort.”
“Safely expanding ADUs not only increases affordable housing, but it also helps stabilize entire neighborhoods by enabling low- and middle-income households to accommodate loved ones, strengthen household finances, increase home values, and preserve generational wealth,” said Christie Peale, CEO and executive director, Center for NYC Neighborhoods, Inc. “These new resources will allow homeowners to safely plan and expand their living spaces through ADUs, support family members, and afford to stay in their communities for generations to come.”
“In the face of our unprecedented housing affordability crisis, the introduction of accessory dwelling units is a beacon of hope for New Yorkers,” said Sabrina Lippman, CEO, Habitat for Humanity New York City and Westchester County.
“These units provide much needed additional housing as well as enable homeowners to generate supplemental income, build generational wealth, and support family members in need. Habitat NYC and Westchester is proud to support initiatives that empower our communities to thrive and remain in the neighborhoods they love. This comprehensive approach from Mayor Adams’ administration is a significant step towards creating a more equitable and sustainable future for all.”
“Accessory dwelling units are an essential part of the city’s housing stock, and this initiative will significantly expand safe, affordable housing options for New Yorkers as we try to address our housing crisis,” said Brendan Cheney, director of policy and operations, New York Housing Conference. “We must pass the City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, which will help ensure New Yorkers can access the types of housing that best suit them and their needs, including ADUs. Following the mayor’s $2 billion commitment to housing in this year’s city capital budget, today’s announcement is another crucial step toward a comprehensive solution to our urgent housing needs.”
“As we’ve seen across the country, from the smallest towns to the biggest cities, ADUs are a proven policy that addresses the housing crisis without dramatically changing neighborhoods,” said Andrew Fine, policy director and chief of staff, Open New York. “They’re a critical resource for multi-generational families, a source of income for homeowners struggling with their mortgages, and an important driver of affordable housing opportunities in areas where they are lacking. ADUs are an essential component of ‘City of Yes,’ and will help fulfill its mission to add a little more housing in every neighborhood in NYC.”
“Adding a small unit to a small home is a big opportunity to diversify our housing supply and help owners of small homes get by — whether it’s to accommodate their children, age-in-place, or generate rental income,” said Howard Slatkin, executive director, Citizen Housing & Planning Council. “We are heartened to see the city take multiple actions needed to support flexible use of small homes that meets homeowners’ and residents’ needs. This includes not just the reforms in City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, but also creating a ‘one-stop shop’ to support individual homeowners and increased funding for the Plus One pilot program.”
“The potential benefits of legalizing and supporting the creation of accessory dwelling units are numerous and well known. ADUs help keep intergenerational families together to provide networks of care; they provide supplemental income to aging homeowners; and they can help create more affordable options on the market for first-time renters,” said Aaron Carr, founder and executive director, Housing Rights Initiative. “We at Housing Rights Initiative applaud this effort to provide both the funding and technical support that people need to unlock new housing opportunities right under our noses with already existing buildings. By enabling the creation of new housing units that won’t drastically change the look or feel of their neighborhoods, these new tools align perfectly with the ‘City of Yes’ vision of adding ‘a little bit of housing in every neighborhood.’”
“Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation commends the Adams administration for its commitment to providing both financial resources and streamlined administrative support to assist homeowners in creating accessory dwelling units, in particular basement apartments,” said Ryan Chavez, director, Small Homes Programs, Cypress Hills Local Development Corporation. “As the home of the city’s Basement Apartment Conversion Pilot Program, Cypress Hills and East New York knows firsthand the significant demand for programs that simplify the legalization of basement apartments. We are also acutely aware of the bureaucratic and financial challenges homeowners face under the current system. Today’s announcement is a meaningful step towards lowering some of the key barriers to legalizing basement apartments, making it easier for homeowners to create safe, legal, and affordable housing options in their communities.”
“Our agency has advised local governments to consider zoning code changes that encourage greater density and availability of housing in tandem with preserving historic buildings, including allowing housing in areas where it is now prohibited,” said Sara C. Bronin, chair, Advisory Council on Historic Preservation. “Our recent policy statement on Housing and Historic Preservation identified accessory dwelling units as a critical tool for expanding housing options because they enable existing homeowners to earn income contributing to their mortgage or to home repairs, to accommodate multiple generations, and to stay in their chosen neighborhood. We applaud the administration’s efforts to leverage the city’s historic built environment to support housing.”
Mayor Adams Celebrates $160 Million Investment in Brownsville Recreation Center, Additional Maintenance Workers at 62 Parks to Improve Quality of Life Across Five Boroughs
City to Fully Rebuild 70-Year-Old Brownsville Recreation Center, NYC Parks to Open Temporary Brownsville Spaces During Construction
NYC Parks to Hire 240 Additional “Second Shift” Staff to Add Weekend, Evening Cleaning to 100 Hotspots at 62 Parks in All Five Boroughs
Announcement Follows On-Time, Balanced, and Fiscally-Responsible $112.4 Billion Adopted Budget That Invests in Future of New York City
Editor’s note: Staten Islander News previously reported on the City’s balanced budget delivered to the City Council and approved here. We also reported on the budget round table held by the Mayor’s Office and the OMB where they discussed some of the budget wins.
NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi, and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue celebrated major investments in New York City’s public parks and facilities as part of an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that addresses the city’s affordability crisis head-on and invests in the future of the city and the working-class people who make New York the greatest city in the world. The FY25 Adopted Budget ensures parks have what they need to engage New Yorkers and attract tourists and other visitors, as a critical part of the city’s economic and social wellbeing, as well as to improve healthy lifestyles. After making multiple investments in New York City’s parks, including in the Parks Opportunity Program (POP) that gives thousands of low-income New Yorkers six-month paid opportunities and training programs each year and help maintain and operate New York City parks and facilities, Mayor Adams and the City Council went even further in the FY25 Adopted Budget by investing $160 million to fully rebuild the 70-year-old Brownsville Recreation Center, providing a brand-new, state-of-the art recreation center in the heart of Brooklyn. Additionally, thanks to a $15 million city investment, NYC Parks will hire an additional 240 full-time maintenance and operations staff to provide a second shift of cleaning service at 100 hotspots at 62 public parks in all five boroughs.
Last month, the City Council voted to pass the FY25 Budget. After the budget handshake announcement, New Yorkers from across the city, including parks advocates, praised the budget for its wide-ranging investments that help protect public safety, rebuild the economy, and make New York City more affordable and livable. Funding for this “second shift” is baselined in the FY25 Adopted Budget.
“We came into office with a clear mission: protect public safety, rebuild our economy, and make our city more affordable and livable for working-class New Yorkers. And providing New Yorkers with clean, vibrant public spaces, particularly in neighborhoods like Brownsville that have long been overlooked, helps us continue to deliver on that mission,” said Mayor Adams.
“Our $160 million investment in the Brownsville Recreation Center will transform this 70-year-old complex into a state-of-the-art community space in the heart of Brooklyn. And because we’re focused on keeping our public spaces clean, too, we’re investing $15 million in a second cleaning shift at parks in all five boroughs. We came into office promising a safer, cleaner, more livable city that is equitable and affordable. The new Brownsville Recreation Center and cleaner parks are the next steps forward in our mission.”
“This historic resourcing of $160 million to the Brownsville Recreation Center is an investment that underscores our commitment to our neighbors in Brownsville and the vital role that community centers fill across the city,” said First Deputy Mayor Sheena Wright. “As we prioritize the array of resident needs and especially work to prevent gun violence in community-based settings, this historic contribution to fully rebuild the 70-year-old Brownsville Recreation Center honors the need for safe spaces, improved facilities, and expansive programming as we build a brand-new, state-of-the art recreation center in the heart of Brownsville.”
“New Yorkers across the five boroughs deserve public recreation spaces that feel safe and welcoming. This investment in the Brownsville Recreation Center and 62 parks citywide, helps the Adams administration deliver them,” said Deputy Mayor Joshi. “When people walk into their local recreation center or take their kids to play in a park, they should be able to feel the care and attention that has gone into those spaces — a symbol of a city that is joyful, safe, and attended to. My deep thanks to Commissioner Donoghue and the members of City Council who advocated for these investments and made them possible.”
“The city’s $160 million investment to reconstruct Brownsville Recreation Center will provide Brooklynites with a new, state-of-the-art recreation facility that will serve generations to come,” said NYC Parks Commissioner Donoghue. “In addition, baselined funding for ‘second shift’ cleaning will ensure our most heavily used parks citywide are clean and safe. Along with the recently announced initial investment of $3.2 billion for our Vital Parks plan to bolster the city’s living infrastructure, we’re advancing our mission of providing accessible, safe, and well-maintained public spaces for all.”
“Congratulations to Mayor Adams for allocating $160 million in city funds to fully transform the Brownsville Recreation Center and to NYC Parks for this major investment that will allow them to continue to serve the people of Brooklyn, and all across the five boroughs,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley. “These renovations will greatly benefit the seniors, adults and youth who visit this community hub. We are already working with NYC Parks on the Mary Cali Dalton Recreation Center in Staten Island, the Shirley Chisholm Recreation Center in Brooklyn, and two new recreation centers in the Bronx. We look forward to collaborating with NYC Parks again to turn this 70-year-old center into a state-of-the-art facility.”
“On behalf of the Brownsville community, I would like to publicly thank Mayor Adams and his administration for this righteous, long-needed funding to the Brownsville Recreation Center,” said AT Mitchell-Mann, co-chair, Gun Violence Prevention Task Force. “The Brownsville Recreation Center is a staple in the Brownsville community. It has served generations of families with dignity and honor for decades. With this much needed financial commitment, it will assure that the legacy of the Brownsville Recreation Center will be around for more generations to come. This is what true gun violence prevention looks like. This is what we mean when we say, ‘Brownsville Never Ran, Never Will.’”
“Our parks and recreation centers are the hearts of communities and provide critical resources for the social, physical, and mental health for all,” said Chief Public Realm Officer Ya-Ting Liu. “The investment in the Brownsville Recreation Center and additional cleaning to our city’s parks affirms the Adams administration’s commitment to improving quality of life through vibrant public spaces.”
Brownsville Recreation Center
The Brownsville Recreation Center first opened as a city facility in 1955. In 2016, then-Mayor Bill de Blasio announced a $20 million selective reconstruction of the center; preliminary work on the center found significant damage and deterioration requiring a partial closure (including the indoor pool and the gymnasium) and a complete demolition and reconstruction of the center. The new facility will be designed with extensive input from the Brownsville community, and NYC Parks will work with DDC to build the new space quickly and cost-efficiently. While the recreation center is closed for the multi-year demolition, planning, design, and construction period, NYC Parks will open interim spaces in Brownsville to ensure residents continue to have uninterrupted access to the classes and resources that NYC Parks’ recreation centers provide.
This investment builds on the Adams administration’s commitment to investing in under-resourced communities like Brownsville that have been ignored for decades. In July 2023, Mayor Adams and the Gun Violence Prevention Task Force released “A Blueprint for Public Safety,” with over $485 million in investments to offer early interventions for young people, increase employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, improve housing security, provide easier access to public benefits, bolster community institutions, foster connections to mental health services, and strengthen police-community relations. Those investments are focused on six precincts that experience a disproportionate level of gun violence, including precincts covering Brownsville and East New York. Additionally, in March 2024, Mayor Adams launched Jobs NYC, a new multi-pronged citywide effort to reduce barriers to economic opportunities and deliver workforce development services directly to communities across the five boroughs that are experiencing high unemployment. That effort includes monthly hiring halls in every borough in areas experiencing employment disparities, connecting New Yorkers to private- and public-sector jobs.
Second Shift
NYC Parks’ second shift program targets 100 hot spots in 62 parks throughout the five boroughs for an additional shift of cleaning services on weekends and in the evenings to improve cleanliness and quality of life. This deployment of 240 new maintenance and operations staff will work from Thursday to Monday to create cleaner parks and public restrooms, while also fighting the scourge of rodents in New York City. It also builds on the Adams administration’s historic commitment to citywide cleanliness, including through the “Trash Revolution” — the administration’s ongoing effort to get black trash bags off of New York City streets and into containers. As of November 12, 2024, Mayor Adams and New York City Department of Sanitation Commissioner Jessica Tisch will have required the city to containerize 70 percent of New York City’s 14 billion pounds of annual trash. This feat has been accomplished in just over two years’ time, reversing 50 years of municipal mismanagement that saw mountains of black trash bags lining streets and attracting rats.
Thanks to the Adams administration’s ongoing strong fiscal management, which was bolstered by better-than-expected revenue growth, the administration overcame unprecedented challenges in this budget cycle to stabilize the city’s financial outlook and close a $7.1 billion budget gap. Because of steady, decisive decision making, the FY25 Adopted Budget allows the Adams administration and the City Council to reinvest in initiatives and programs that protect public safety, rebuild the city’s economy, and make the city more affordable and livable for working-class New Yorkers. As part of the budget agreement, the Adams administration and the City Council joined together to pass a collaborative budget that addresses the three things that cost New Yorkers the most — housing, childcare, and health care — and invests billions of dollars of city resources in critical areas, including early childhood education, libraries, parks, public safety, housing, health care, transit, cultural institutions, and more.
“It is often said that a budget is a statement of values. The Brownsville Recreation Center has been such a valuable and important center of activity for our young people, so it follows that this year’s budget includes $160 million to renovate, revitalize and rebuild the BRC,” said U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. “The residents of central Brooklyn deserve nothing less than the finest recreation center in the world and this funding is an important step towards bringing that to life.”
“Investing in our city’s future means investing in our communities. I commend Mayor Adams and Deputy Mayor Meera Joshi for this commitment to rebuild the historic Brownsville Recreation Center, and enhancing sanitation services across 62 parks citywide,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “These investments reflect our dedication to a cleaner, safer, and more vibrant New York City.”
“The Brownsville Recreation Center has been central to the fabric of my community for decades. It has been a safe haven for 70 years. More recently, it served as a food distribution center at the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic and as a learning lab for students to stay connected to their schoolwork remotely,” said New York State Assemblywoman Latrice Walker. “The staff has been working out of the Golden Age wing of the building, while the main part of the building, including the gym and swimming pool, is closed for repairs. The city’s investment in the complete renovation of the BRC is welcome news that I cannot wait to share with the community of Brownsville where I was born and raised.”
“Today we celebrate a major win for the Brownsville Community. Our adopted budget creates an historic $160 million rebuilding of the Brownsville Recreation center, a state-of-the-art facility that will become an unprecedented hub of community activity in the heart of Brooklyn,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “In addition to this facility’s investment, we celebrate the innovative $15 million ‘Second Shift’ program to hire additional staff for more weekend and evening cleanings in the NYC Parks system. This will create cleaner, safer, and healthier conditions at some of New York City’s most popular hotspots. These sensible and fiscally prudent investments demonstrate how our adopted $112.4 billion balanced budget is working to revitalize communities across our city.”
“It’s a great day for Brooklyn when community spaces get much needed upgrades,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “The Brownsville Recreation Center offers space for central Brooklyn residents to cool off during the summer and to stay mentally and physically active and engaged throughout the year. I am thankful to Mayor Adams and NYC Parks for this $160 million investment which gives Brownsville residents the updated center they deserve.”
“Today is a historic day in the Brownsville section of the 42nd Council District, where this announcement of a $160 million dollar investment into this 70-year-old structure is more than just the rehabilitation of a 70-year-old building,” said New York City Councilmember Chris Banks. “The Brownsville Recreation Center isn’t just a building where youth come to play basketball, participate in media skills programming, learn to garden, and so much more. It isn’t just a building where seniors come to do Zumba, play pickleball, or participate in other programs that keep them healthy and active. The Brownsville Recreation Center, affectionately known by many in this community as BRC is a place whereas the late great Greg “Jocko” Jackson would say, “Hope is inside!”
Today’s announcement is a testament to the legacy of that hope. In a community that unfortunately sees more negative stories than we would want, today’s announcement is a bright and positive sign that hope is truly inside! This capital investment of $160 million is a message to those in the Brownsville community that this is our community, and we will continue investing in that community, creating beacons of health and wellness, beacons of positivity, beacons of excellence, and beacons of that same hope, that Jocko said is inside. I look forward to working toward making our Brownsville community brighter, better and stronger through efforts like this investment.”
“Brownsville Recreation Center has always been more than just a recreational facility; it is a symbol of community strength and solidarity,” said Dr. Frank Mason, second generation member, Brownsville Old Timers Committee. “Generations of parents and their children have walked through its doors, finding not only a place to exercise and engage in activities, but also a sense of belonging and a commitment to helping others. The center has fostered a spirit of cooperation and mutual support, instilling values that resonate far beyond its walls.”
“The Brownsville Recreation Center has been the oasis of the Brownsville community for over 30 years and our home for arts and culture programming for over 10 years,” said Nicole Williams, founder and CEO, Victory Music & Dance Company Inc. “Victory Music & Dance Company looks forward to the newly renovated facility that will continue to provide a rich holistic environment and safe haven for the youth in Brownsville and its surrounding communities.”
“The Brownsville Recreation Center stands as the only multi-service recreation center in Brownsville,” said Decosta Headley, founder, D.R.E.A.M Foundation. “The neighboring communities of East New York and Canarsie also find its residents utilizing the facilities and amenities at the recreation center. Thanks to the hardworking dedicated staff and the supportive community of the Brownsville Recreation Center, many beautiful occurrences that produced great people in entertainment and sports have benefited from the leadership of the recreation center. Thank you for rebuilding a staple and legacy for the people of Brownsville, Brooklyn.”
Banner Image: Press Conference. Image Credit – NYC Mayor
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