Reproductive Rights History NYC, DC 37 Remote Work, 16 In School Mental Health Clinics, Atlantic Ave Mixed Use Plan, Helping NYC’s Veterans

Reproductive Rights History NYC, DC 37 Remote Work, 16 In School Mental Health Clinics, Atlantic Ave Mixed Use Plan, Helping NYC’s Veterans

Editor’s note: Readers can learn more about issues related to abortion, including how it’s regulation is religious in nature, preferring Christianity over all other faiths, here.  Mayor Adams previously announced Mental Health Week. Many of our local politicians support veterans, particularly regarding access to healthcare. 

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW EXHIBIT ON HISTORY OF REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IN NEW YORK CITY 

Led by Department of Records and Information Services, Exhibit Starts in 1828 with Prohibition of Abortion in New York City to Present Day, Highlighting City’s Current Reputation as National Leader in Reproductive Rights 

Announcement Comes as Adams Administration Commemorates 400th Anniversary of New York City and Women’s History Month 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a new exhibit led by the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS) on the history of reproductive rights in New York City. Starting in 1828, when abortion first became illegal in New York City, the exhibit traces the history of reproductive rights to present day, highlighting the city’s current reputation as a national leader in the fight. The exhibit comes as the city celebrates Women’s History Month and all the contributions women have made to New York City, as well as the city’s 400th anniversary this year.

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“For too long, women in need of reproductive health care were forced into the shadows, turning to dangerous alternatives to receive the support they needed. In New York City, we’re proud to be a beacon of light for all women seeking reproductive care and services,” said Mayor Adams. “Thanks to this exhibit, New Yorkers can trace and understand our history of reproductive rights — from the early, dark days of criminality to our status today as a national role model. This month, during Women’s History Month, and every month, our city stands with protecting, empowering, and leading on women’s health care.”

“Outlawing abortion doesn’t stop it. Banning birth control doesn’t end its use. Criminalizing reproductive health care does not improve health or safety. Instead, women use underground resources, many of which are risky,” DORIS Commissioner Pauline Toole. “NYPD photographs showing sites where illegal abortions were provided clearly show that safe health care was not the focus. This exhibit uses city government’s historical records to document the impact of criminalization and legalization on women’s health care. Today, women from around the country rely on New York City for the health care they need.”

The new exhibit uses historical documents dating back to 1828 — including court records, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) charts, and photos of locations where illegal abortions were performed — to tell the full evolution of the city’s stance on abortion from criminality to full access. Additionally, the exhibit illustrates how increasing penalties for providing or receiving abortions or birth control drastically affected women’s health, the impact of the New York state’s 1970 law decriminalizing abortion on both a national and city level, and the Adams administration’s February 2024 Sexual and Reproductive Bill of Rights, which further enshrined New York City’s commitment to protecting reproductive rights. The exhibit is free to the public and will open on March 18 and run until April 30, 2025, at 31 Chambers, Room 103, New York, NY 10007 between 9 AM to 12 PM and 1 PM to 4 PM, Monday through Friday.

The Adams administration has championed and advocated for policies to make New York City a leader in gender equity. In January 2025, Mayor Adams announced progress and new efforts to secure New York City’s position as a national leader in accessible abortion care in wake of the 2022 Dobbs decision by the U.S. Supreme Court that effectively overturned Roe v. Wade — on what would have been the legal decision’s 52nd anniversary. Following the high court’s decision, DOHMH launched the “Abortion Access Hub,” a hotline that connects callers to licensed abortion care providers in New York City in an effort to ensure a pathway towards safe, accessible abortion care, amidst national restrictions and misinformation. Since its launch in November 2022, the Hub has served more than 9,000 individuals — 25 percent being from a state where abortion has been banned or restricted. Of those out-of-state callers, 75 percent are from Texas, Florida, or Georgia — all states with outright bans or severe restrictions.

In January 2023, New York City became the first city in the nation to offer medication abortion, free-of-charge, at the city’s public health clinics, ensuring that abortion care was integrated into health care services it provides. In October 2023, New York City’s public hospital system became the first in the nation to offer telehealth medication abortions to ensure that New Yorkers who cannot physically make it to a clinic or don’t feel safe doing so can still access a medication abortion.

Last year, Mayor Adams unveiled “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity,” a more than $43 million investment aimed at making New York City a national leader on gender equity, including for transgender and gender expansive New Yorkers, with the ambitious goal of becoming the most women-forward city in the United States. New Yorkers can visit the re-launched women.nyc, a one-stop shop website, to learn more about the action plan and access city services to support women and families.

In December 2024, Mayor Adams announced “Founded By NYC,” a year-long inclusive, comprehensive acknowledgement of the 400th anniversary of New York City. In partnership with NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded By NYC will celebrate how New York City has made history, and continues to do so — highlighting the achievements driven by the creativity and resilience of the five boroughs and its people, including the perspectives of marginalized audiences, like those of the Indigenous community, women, and people of color.

“As chair of the City Council’s Health Committee, I commend the administration for shedding light on New York City’s complex history of reproductive rights,” said New York City Council Member Lynn Schulman. “This exhibit is a powerful reflection of our city’s journey—from criminalization to becoming a national leader in protecting abortion access—and a reminder of the ongoing fight to safeguard these rights. At a time when reproductive freedoms are under attack across the country, New York City remains a beacon of progress and a safe haven for those seeking care.”

“As chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, I am proud to join Mayor Adams and DORIS in highlighting New York City’s history of reproductive rights,” said New York City Council Member Dr. Nantasha Williams. “This exhibit reminds us of the struggles and progress made, especially for women of color disproportionately affected by restrictive policies. As we mark Women’s History Month and the city’s 400th anniversary, we reaffirm our commitment to protecting and expanding reproductive healthcare. New York City has long been a leader in this fight, and we will continue to defend these fundamental rights.”

MAYOR ADAMS, DC 37 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR GARRIDO ANNOUNCE EXTENSION OF REMOTE WORK PILOT FOR CITY EMPLOYEES

Extension of Pilot Will Continue to Allow Eligible City Employees to Work Remotely Up to Two Days Per Week 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and District Council 37 (DC 37) Executive Director Henry Garrido today announced a one-year extension of the remote work pilot program previously agreed to by the city and DC 37 on May 31, 2023 and started on June 1, 2023. The agreement continues to allow eligible city employees to work remotely for up to two days per week — providing greater flexibility for city workers while ensuring the administration continues to achieve its mission of making New York City the best place to raise a family.

“As we continue to settle into our post-pandemic reality, we must ensure that we continue to make city employment an attractive and accessible option for the working-class New Yorkers who serve and run this city every day,” said Mayor Adams. “I have always said that any flexible work programs the city offers must acknowledge the reality that there are some roles that cannot be performed remotely. The extension of this successful pilot allows the continuation of flexibility for our workforce and the protection of the core services that New Yorkers rely on every day. I thank DC 37 for their partnership through this process and the work their members do to keep our city moving.”

“We heard DC 37 workers loud and clear over the course of our latest round of contract negotiations and agreed to establish a flexible work committee as part of the agreement,” said New York City Office of Labor Relations Commissioner Renee Campion. “This pilot program we are extending today is a testament to our continued collaboration with DC 37, and we want to thank Henry Garrido and his team for their partnership.”

“Our members have continued carrying out their service to the public with efficiency while benefitting from the flexibility of hybrid and compressed work,” said DC 37 Executive Director Henry Garrido. “It’s clear that alternative work schedules help with issues of retention and recruitment and allow the City of New York to be a workplace of choice. We thank the Adams administration for agreeing to this extension and appreciate the flexible work committee for their time and ongoing input.”

Under the 2023 contract agreement between the city and DC 37, the parties agreed to establish a Work Flexibility Committee to discuss work flexibility and other measures to enhance employee morale, recruitment, and retention. In addition to the remote work pilot, in 2024 the parties also agreed to a compressed work pilot for employees who are not able to work remotely and are able to work a compressed schedule without affecting city services.

The city will continue to work closely with DC 37 to monitor the ongoing progress of the pilot.

The program extension will run through May 31, 2026.

MAYOR ADAMS, NYC HEALTH + HOSPITAL PRESIDENT AND CEO DR. KATZ, PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR AVILES-RAMOS CELEBRATE OPENING OF 16 NEW MENTAL HEALTH CLINICS IN NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS 

NYC Health + Hospitals-Staffed School-Based Clinics Serve More Than 6,000 New York City Public Schools Students Across Bronx and Central Brooklyn 

Builds on Adams Administration’s $5 Million Mental Health Continuum Partnership, Which Serves More Than 20,000 Students  

Part of Adams Administration’s “Mental Health Week,” Highlighting City’s Multi-Agency Efforts to Connect New Yorkers with Mental Health Services  

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Mitchell Katz, and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today continued “Mental Health Week ” by celebrating the opening of the 16th school-based mental health clinic, fulfilling a promise Mayor Adams made last year to help bring mental health services to more than 6,000 students in New York City Public Schools across the Bronx and Central Brooklyn. The NYC Health + Hospitals-staffed clinics offer students access to individual, family, and group therapy, with connections to outpatient clinics and telehealth services as needed. Additionally, teachers and school staff have access to mental health clinic staff for consultation, trainings, and workshops to ensure students are appropriately supported and referred to care. Schools also receive support so they can respond to mental health crises without contacting 911 unnecessarily and avoid needless emergency room visits and hospitalizations. This week, the Adams administration is celebrating “Mental Health Week,” highlighting the city’s multi-agency efforts to support New Yorkers in addressing mental health, ranging from serious mental illness to expanding resources to underserved communities, and advancing Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City commitment to make New York City the best place to raise a family.

“Every day, we hear from New Yorkers that mental health is a major issue, especially for our city’s youth, which is why our administration continues to gather the resources that our young people need. As we mark ‘Mental Health Week’ and highlight the city’s multi-agency efforts to support New Yorkers,’ we’re celebrating the opening of our 16th school-based mental health clinic, which will bring in-person services to more than 6,000 students at public schools in the South Bronx and Brooklyn,” said Mayor Adams. “These clinics offer individual, family, and group therapy on a face-to-face level, and will enable teachers to get training to ensure students are fully supported. These are places where our children know they have a support system they can rely on, whether they need a little bit of support, or a lot of care.”

“We know that improving access to care means we must go beyond our hospital walls and offer innovative mental health programs in our schools and in the community to effectively meet the mental health needs of our young people,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Dr. Katz. “We are proud of opening all 16 satellite clinics, which provide our students with timely access to clinical mental health services, both inside of schools and at outpatient clinics. Our goal is to provide youth with mental health services where they need them the most, and today’s announcement celebrates our progress as we continue to increase access to care.”

“I am so honored to join the Bronx community as we celebrate the opening of our 16th school-based mental health clinic, a crucial step in expanding access to vital support for our students. Through this longstanding partnership with DOHMH and NYC Health + Hospitals, we are ensuring every that student has the resources they need to succeed,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “This clinic adds to our growing network of over 200 mental health clinics, primary care services, and partnerships with more than 130 community organizations, all backed by our dedicated team of guidance counselors and social workers. We are committed to fostering an environment where mental health is truly prioritized alongside academic achievement and as a core pillar of student safety and wellbeing.”

The 16 new satellite clinics expand on the five existing mental health clinics that NYC Health + Hospitals already utilizes in the city’s public schools. The new school-based mental health clinics are funded with $3.6 million from the Adams administration’s Mental Health Continuum, a $5 million partnership between NYC Health + Hospitals, New York City Public Schools, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and Advocates for Children announced as part of the Adams administration’s mental health agenda: “Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City.” The clinics also received $700,000 in grants from the New York state Office of Mental Health through the Mental Health Outpatient Treatment and Rehabilitative Service Program.

In addition to the 16 new school-based satellite clinics, an additional 34 schools have access to rapid referrals for evaluation and treatment directly into NYC Health + Hospitals’ outpatient mental health clinics. In total, this program serves over 20,000 students across 50 schools in the South Bronx and Central Brooklyn.

New York City Public Schools prioritizes its mental health resources through a wide breadth of initiatives, hosting 215 school-based mental health clinics, with 20 more set to open this year, access to care through school-based primary care clinics, partnerships with more than 130 community-based organizations, and thousands of guidance counselors and social workers based in schools across the city.

The 16 schools that now host mental health clinics were identified through an ongoing collaborative and data-driven effort to identify schools with the highest needs across the city, particularly schools without on-site mental health services or community partnerships with mental health clinics. This model aims to meet the needs of students with significant mental health needs in the schools and neighborhoods with the highest rates of school interventions, suspensions, and chronic absenteeism.

NYC Health + Hospitals opened mental health satellite clinics in the following schools: 

The Bronx

Mott Hall III

Port Morris School of Community Leadership

PS 035 Franz Siegel

PS 063 – Author’s Academy

PS 277X

PS X140 The Eagle School

South Bronx Preparatory

Brooklyn

All City Leadership Secondary School

Brighter Choice Community School

The Brooklyn Green School

Evergreen Middle School for Urban Exploration

Kappa V: Knowledge and Power Preparatory Academy

MS K394

Parkside Preparatory Academy

PS 041 Francis White

PS/IS 384 Frances E Carter

The Adams administration has taken repeated actions to tackle the youth mental health crisis and has made it a key focus of his administration. New York City Public Schools has devoted significant resources to combatting students’ addiction to social media and the many resulting harms, including by responding to cyberbullying occurring outside of class, providing counseling for anxiety and depression, and developing curricula about the effects of social media and how to stay safe online.

In March 2023, the Adams administration launched “Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City,” a mental health plan focused on improving the mental health of children and young people. Following the plan’s release, the city convened more than 150 advocates, researchers, technologists, mental health providers, community-based organizations, and caregivers, in partnership with New York City youth, to lay out potential pathways for action to protect the mental health of children and youth. The convening provided the recommendations that built the foundation for the city’s Social Media Action Plan, announced in February 2023, that outlined New York City’s commitment to protecting the mental health of young New Yorkers and empowered them to use these technologies in ways that are less harmful.

In November 2023, Mayor Adams launched “NYC Teenspace,” a free tele-mental health service available to all New York City teenagers between the ages of 13 and 17 years old at no cost. In the first six months after launching, 6,800 teenagers already signed up for the service with young people in underserved neighborhoods leading in utilizing the program and 80 percent of users identifying as Black, Hispanic, Asian American and Pacific Islander, bi-racial or Native American. The launch and early success of NYC Teenspace delivers on a key commitment from Care, Community, Action.

Additionally, last year, Mayor Adams announced a lawsuit against companies that operate five social media platforms — TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, and YouTube — for their roles in fueling a nationwide mental health crisis among young people, joining hundreds of school districts from across the country in filing litigation seeking to force tech giants to change their behavior and to recover the costs of addressing this public health threat. Mayor Adams also announced a Health Commissioner’s Advisory, identifying unfettered access to and use of social media as a public health hazard, just as past U.S. surgeons general have done with tobacco and firearms, and recommended parents delay initiation of social media for their child until at least age 14.

Alongside the Adams administration’s focus on mental health, Mayor Adams also launched “HealthyNYC,” an ambitious plan to extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers. HealthyNYC addresses the greatest drivers of premature death and sets bold targets to extend the average life expectancy of New Yorkers to 83 years by 2030, with gains across racial and ethnic groups. HealthyNYC aims to accomplish this by, among other initiatives, expanding access to culturally-responsive mental health care and social support services, including early intervention for communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth, as well as addressing the impact of social media on youth mental health and suicidal ideation to reduce suicide deaths.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES CITY PLANNING COMMISSION’S APPROVAL OF ATLANTIC AVENUE MIXED USE-PLAN TO CREATE 4,600 NEW HOMES, 2,800 PERMANENT JOBS 

Plan to Include Significant Investments in New Public Space and Infrastructure to Build Safer Streets 

Plan Now Goes to New York City Council for Review and Final Vote 

Announcement Comes as Adams Administration Continues to Advance Bold, Transformational Housing Projects Across Five Boroughs 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of City Planning (DCP) Director and City Planning Commission (CPC) Chair Dan Garodnick today celebrated the CPC’s vote in favor of the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, a community-led proposal that will deliver new housing, jobs, and investments in infrastructure in Brooklyn. The plan would create 4,600 new homes — including 1,440 permanently income-restricted, affordable homes — and 2,800 permanent jobs to a roughly 21-block stretch of Atlantic Avenue in Central Brooklyn, including neighboring blocks in Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. Alongside new housing and jobs, the plan includes significant investments in local infrastructure and amenities, such as new and improved open space and traffic safety improvements. Today’s announcement comes as the Adams administration continues to address the city’s housing crisis by advancing bold, transformational housing projects across the five boroughs.

“With today’s vote, we come one step closer to turning the ambitious Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan from a proposal into reality,” said Mayor Adams. “The plan is a powerful reminder that government is still capable of delivering visionary and vital projects. This community-led proposal will build more affordable housing, create more jobs, and bring more public spaces for working-class families to live, play, and thrive. Across all the five boroughs, our administration is continuing to deliver bold, transformational housing projects that our city needs to build our way out of this generational affordable housing crisis.”

“Atlantic Avenue has been held back by outdated zoning for far too long. A central corridor like this should be a vibrant place for residents and workers alike, and that’s exactly what this plan will achieve,” said DCP Director and CPC Chair Garodnick. “With today’s vote, this Brooklyn community is one step closer to getting affordable homes, jobs, and infrastructure improvements it needs. Thanks to the City Planning Commissioners for their support.”

“Thank you to the entire team at the Department of City Planning for their outstanding work in reaching this important milestone. The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan represents a bold vision that will transform this corridor in Central Brooklyn into a dynamic and vibrant community where families can thrive,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “I look forward to collaborating with Councilmembers Hudson and Ossé, as well as the entire City Council, to bring this plan across the finish line and deliver 4,600 new homes, 2,800 jobs, and vital investments to this community.”

“Delivery of urgently-needed new housing must go hand-in-hand with investments in the surrounding neighborhood. Here, it’s paired with a redesigned Atlantic Avenue that prioritizes safety for drivers, pedestrians, and cyclists, and enhances public space,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeffrey Roth. “We look forward to engaging further with the City Council and community to see this important plan through.”

A New Vision for Atlantic Avenue

Illustrative rendering of a potential future of Atlantic Avenue.

The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan focuses on a section of Atlantic Avenue and neighboring streets between Vanderbilt and Nostrand Avenues. Since the 1960s, this area of Atlantic Avenue has been zoned for one-to-two industrial buildings and storage, despite its proximity to a major commercial area and transit hub. Through this plan, Atlantic Avenue would be transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use neighborhood with new housing — including permanently income-restricted affordable homes through Mandatory Inclusionary Housing — alongside 800,000 square feet of new, active ground floor commercial uses and manufacturing businesses, and community facilities. Neighboring avenues and streets would see moderately-sized mixed-use buildings with income-restricted affordable housing and job-generating uses.

Building More Affordable Housing

Through programs run by the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD), the city will also develop an additional 380 permanently affordable homes on city and nonprofit-owned sites across the neighborhood, including 542 Dean Street, 516 Bergen Street, and 1134-1142 Pacific Street. These buildings will include homes reserved for older, low-income households, as well as formerly homeless New Yorkers. To preserve existing affordable housing, HPD’s Partners in Preservation program will provide a nearly $3 million investment to community-based groups focused on anti-harassment and anti-displacement work to support local tenants. HPD will also hold a series of housing resources workshops this spring and summer to assist tenants and homeowners with their needs. In response to feedback from industrial business owners and other community members during the public review process, the City Planning Commission also modified the proposal to make it safer and easier to preserve and grow industrial businesses in mixed-use buildings within neighborhood.

Creating Safer Streets and Investing in Public Spaces

Alongside new housing and job opportunities, the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan includes significant commitments to support and enhance the neighborhood’s infrastructure. To enhance the community’s open space, the plan has allocated $24.2 million in improvements to St. Andrew’s Playground, including a new, synthetic turf multi-use field with a running track, upgraded basketball and handball courts, renovated playgrounds, a remodeled public restroom, new seating, plantings, and other green infrastructure. Lowry Triangle, located near Atlantic Avenue and Washington Avenue, will also be augmented to serve as a more vibrant community space. The plan also includes the first expansion of a zoning incentive to encourage the creation of publicly accessible open space outside of a central business district.

To make Atlantic Avenue safer for users of all ages, the plan includes several interim street safety improvements to be followed by future investments. These include painted “neckdowns,” which are raised curb extensions that narrow the travel lane at intersections or midblock locations; daylighting to improve visibility at intersections; and bike corrals and a new bike lane on Bedford Avenue. Additionally, new buildings along Atlantic Avenue and Bedford Avenue would be required to be placed between five and 20 feet further away from the street, increasing sidewalk widths for pedestrians.

Alongside this plan, several storm water and sewer upgrades for Atlantic Avenue and Dean Street are already underway, as are the installation of subsurface stormwater detention systems and 140 rain gardens throughout the neighborhood. These investments will increase sewer capacity and help the neighborhood better handle storm events. New buildings would also be required to meet the New York City Department of Environmental Protection’s stormwater standards, further reducing flooding.

Engaging with the Community

Over the past decade, DCP has worked closely with Brooklyn Community Board 8 and local stakeholders to develop a vision for a more dynamic, mixed-use Atlantic Avenue. The official study for the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan kicked off in early 2023 with New York City Councilmembers Crystal Hudson and Chi Ossé, engagement facilitator WXY Studio, Community Boards 2, 3, and 8, and agency partners. The process included over 20 meetings: three public community planning workshops, nine public working group meetings on three topic areas, and nine steering committee meetings to help shape the plan, which culminated in the release of the Community Vision and Priorities Report in 2023. CPC’s vote follows favorable recommendations with conditions from Brooklyn Community Boards 3 and 8, and Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. The Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan now goes to the New York City Council for a public hearing and vote.

The Adams Administration’s Record on Housing

This year, Mayor Adams has doubled down on his commitment to build more affordable housing across the five boroughs. Last month, Mayor Adams and the New York City Economic Development Corporation announced the next phase of an ambitious, bold new vision for Coney Island in Brooklyn that will deliver 1,500 new homes and invest in the reconstruction of the historic Riegelmann Boardwalk. Additionally, Mayor Adams and HPD celebrated a $82 million investment to put homeownership within reach for more New Yorkers by expanding the HomeFirst Down Payment Assistance Program. Finally, the Adams administration has advanced several bold, forward-looking projects, including reimagining Gansevoort Square to build mixed-income housing, building 100 percent affordable housing at the Grand Concourse Library in the Bronx, advancing the 388 Hudson development in Manhattan to provide hundreds of critically-needed affordable housing units, and kicking off public review on the Midtown South Mixed-Use plan to create nearly 10,000 homes — all building on this year’s State of the City address.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams had made historic investments toward creating affordable housing and ensuring more New Yorkers have a place to call home. DCP is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years in Midtown South in Manhattan and in Long Island City and Jamaica in Queens. Last year, the City Council approved the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan, which will create approximately 7,000 homes and 10,000 permanent jobs in the East Bronx.

Moreover, last December, Mayor Adams celebrated the passage of “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity,” the most pro-housing proposal in city history that will build 80,000 new homes over 15 years and invest $5 billion towards critical infrastructure updates and housing. In June 2024, City Hall and the New York City Council agreed to an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $112.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget that invested $2 billion in capital funds across FY25 and FY26 to HPD and the New York City Housing Authority’s capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.5 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated both back-to-back record breaking fiscal years and calendar years in both creating and connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing. Last spring, 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. Mayor Adams announced multiple new tools, including a $4 million state grant, to help New York City homeowners create accessory dwelling units that will not only help older adults afford to remain in the communities they call home but also help build generational wealth.

Finally, Mayor Adams and members of his 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.

“The Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan represents a significant milestone for land use policy that prioritizes equitable development of both affordable housing and industrial buildings. Today’s vote by the CPC demonstrates the city’s commitment to creating inclusive, dynamic, and safe neighborhoods for both working families and the manufacturing sector to thrive as good neighbors,” said Brian T. Coleman, chief executive officer, Greenpoint Manufacturing and Design Center (GMDC). “GMDC appreciates DCP Chair Garodnick and the DCP team for stewarding the conversation towards a mixed-use neighborhood plan that incorporates opportunities to retain and grow good paying job creation and leverages public-private partnerships between non-profit developers and city agencies to build transformative mixed-use projects.”

“We at Community Board 8 support the AAMUP with expressed conditions. This is a plan that started over ten years ago with our M-1 Crown initiative,” said Irsa Weatherspoon, chairperson, Community Board 8. “I am pleased that we have been able to agree on a holistic plan that we believe supports some of the needs of our district. For example, rezoning to accommodate more affordable housing, HPD’s commitment to develop five identified sites for 100 percent affordable housing, a streetscape plan to increase safety for all users, tenant and landlord protections, a dedicated workforce development program, a green technology incubator, and measures to increase job employment with emphasis to M/WBE entrepreneurship. Just as important is the protection of our remaining open spaces to ensure that we are deliberate in not generating additional shadows and the loss of air.”

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES MORE THAN 10,000 VETERANS RESIDING IN NEW YORK CITY HAVE BEEN CONTACTED AND OFFERED HUNDREDS OF REFERRALS TO MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCES, HOUSING, JOBS, AND MORE

City of New York and New York Cares Have Connected Hundreds of Veterans to Services Through “Mission: VetCheck” 

Part of Adams Administration’s “Mental Health Week,” Highlighting City’s Multi-Agency Efforts to Connect New Yorkers with Mental Health Services

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner James Hendon today continued “Mental Health Week” by announcing that the Department of Veterans’ Services contacted 10,564 New York City veterans and connected them with referrals for various supportive services between November 2023 and June 2024 as part of “Mission: VetCheck.” Mission: VetCheck is a partnership between the Department of Veterans’ Services and New York Cares that enlists volunteers to make supportive check-in calls to veterans across the city, creating a crucial point of connection between veterans and their community to provide resources and information about public services, including mental health services, free meals, housing resources, and employment information. This week, the Adams administration is celebrating “Mental Health Week,” highlighting the city’s multi-agency efforts to support New Yorkers in addressing mental health, ranging from serious mental illness to expanding resources to underserved communities and advancing Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City commitment to make New York City the best place to raise a family.

“Our veterans put their lives on their line for our nation, so those who have served our country deserve to be served by their community,” said Mayor Adams. “While even the simple act of getting a call and being thanked for their service is uplifting to our veterans, getting a call and being connected to vital services can be lifechanging. As we mark ‘Mental Health Week’ and all our administration to support New Yorkers’ mental health, we are proud of the important work ‘Mission: VetCheck’ is doing to connect our city’s veterans to mental health care, housing, job opportunities, and more. Thank you to Commissioner Hendon and his team for leading this effort and connecting the men and women who served our nation with the resources they need the most.”

“Checking in on our veterans is more than just a courtesy — it’s a necessity,” said Department of Veterans’ Services Commissioner Hendon. “With over 200,000 veterans in New York City, many face unique challenges that can impact their mental health and quality of life, from transitioning to civilian life to navigating complex support systems. Programs like ‘Mission: VetCheck’ create a direct link between veterans and the vital resources available to them, while remaining tethered to the community in times of need.”

Of the more than 10,000 veterans who were contacted during this eight-month period, Mission: VetCheck made more than 400 referrals for services, connecting veterans to essential resources — including housing, legal assistance, employment support, and benefits navigation.

Studies have shown veterans experience mental health disorders, substance use disorders, post-traumatic stress, and traumatic brain injury at higher rates than their civilian counterparts. That’s why the Department of Veterans’ Services helps connect veterans to services that can help them manage mental and behavioral health challenges through substance use and other counseling services, veterans peer support groups, alternative therapies, and more.

New York City veterans who are in need of a supportive call from Mission: VetCheck can request one online or can email [email protected]. New Yorkers who are interested in volunteering to make calls to veterans through Mission: VetCheck can sign up to do so through New York Cares.

Veterans in need of support in the event of a personal emergency or mental health crisis should call 911 or go to their nearest emergency room for immediate assistance. Veterans can also contact the Veterans Crisis Line by calling 988 (then pressing 1) or by texting 838255. The Veterans Crisis Line is a free, confidential resource that is available to anyone, even if they are not registered with Veterans Affairs or enrolled in VA health care.

The mission of the Department of Veterans’ Services is to connect, mobilize, and empower New York City’s veteran community to foster purpose-driven lives for past and present servicemembers in addition to their caregivers, survivors, and families. The Department of Veterans’ Services assists city veteran community members on issues that include, but are not limited to employment, housing, food security, well-being, benefits, culture, and targeted advocacy. For more information, New Yorkers can visit the Department of Veterans’ Services website, call (212) 416- 5250, email [email protected], or follow the agency on Facebook at @nycveterans.

Just this week, Mayor Adams announced accomplishments in the first year of the “Behavioral Health Blueprint” that include restoring and maximizing inpatient capacity, expanding access to outpatient services, increasing services to special populations, enhancing social work, care management, and peer services, preventing violence and increasing safety, and building the behavioral health workforce.

Mayor Adams has been on the forefront of implementing successful interventions, major investments, and direct services for people struggling with mental illness. In January 2025, following a 2025 State of the City commitment, the Adams administration took unprecedented action to curb street homelessness and support people with severe mental illness by making a $650 million investment in the city’s most vulnerable populations. The Adams administration has also made the largest investment in New York City history in creating specialized shelter beds to address street homelessness. The city has opened 1,400 Safe Haven and stabilization beds since the start of the administration and doubled the number of street outreach teams. Additionally, the announcement included the unveiling of an innovative model, “Bridge to Home,” where NYC Health + Hospitals will offer a supportive, home-like environment to patients with serious mental illness who are ready for discharge from the hospital but do not have a place to go. By offering patients intensive treatment and comprehensive support, Bridge to Home aims to keep patients on a path toward sustained success, reducing unnecessary emergency room visits and inpatient hospitalizations, decreasing street homelessness and reliance on shelters, and lowering interactions with the criminal justice system.

Banner Image: Abortion rights pins. Image Credit – NYC Dept of Records exhibit

NYC Mayor's Office