Axe The Tax For Working Class, Women-Led Families Affordable Housing, Get [Scaffolding] Sheds Down, Baseball Season Starts, Free Swim Lessons: Mayor Adams

Axe The Tax For Working Class, Women-Led Families Affordable Housing, Get [Scaffolding] Sheds Down, Baseball Season Starts, Free Swim Lessons: Mayor Adams

Editor’s note: Last week, the Mayor’s Office continued Mental Health Week, along with new neighborhood plans and connecting people released from prison with healthcare. The preceding week saw Black History Month celebrations, a Fatherhood Initiative announcement, and a new accessible history of slavery in New York. Readers may remember that Citi Field and Yankee Stadium also top the list of ballparks with great plant based food.

MAYOR ADAMS LEADS RALLY THANKING STATE PARTNERS FOR SUPPORTING “AXE THE TAX FOR THE WORKING CLASS,”  BOLD PROPOSAL TO ELIMINATE AND CUT CITY TAXES  FOR OVER 582,000 NEW YORKERS AND DEPENDENTS

Plan Would Abolish New York City Personal Income Taxes for More Than 429,600 Filers and Dependents, Lower Taxes for Over 152,500 More 

Axe the Tax Plan Follows Historic Expansion of NYC EITC, Which, Together With New Proposal, Would Deliver Collective $408 Million in Tax Relief to 2 Million New Yorkers 

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Rally Follows Inclusion of Mayor Adams’ Axe the Tax Plan in FY26 State Budget,  

Highlights Adams Administration’s Efforts to Make New York City Best Place to Raise a Family

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today led a rally at City Hall celebrating the inclusion of his “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” proposal in the Fiscal Year 2026 New York state budget and thanking state partners, labor unions, and nonprofit advocates for their support. The ambitious proposal will bring significant tax relief to working-class families by eliminating and cutting city personal income taxes for more than 582,000 filers and their dependents. First announced in December 2024 with the support of New York State Senator Leroy Comrie and New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the plan would return over $63 million to New Yorkers by eliminating the New York City Personal Income Tax for filers with dependents living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line, as well as lowering city personal income taxes for filers with dependents immediately above that threshold too. If enacted, Axe the Tax for the Working Class could bring relief to working-class families as soon as tax year 2025 and help strengthen the Adams administration’s efforts to make New York City the best place to raise a family.

“If there is one thing New Yorkers can agree on, it’s that the cost of living in this city is too damn high, especially for working-class New Yorkers. Rent, food, gas, child care, cable — it adds up, and it’s too much. Extreme costs are driving too many families — especially working-class families — out of cities like New York, which is why our administration is working to help New Yorkers save money every day,” said Mayor Adams. “Our ‘Axe the Tax’ plan will take that work to the next level and give tens of millions of dollars back to the families who need it most. Thank you to the coalition of leaders and advocates who have supported this proposal and fought to give working-class New Yorkers the relief they deserve.”

Axe the Tax for the Working Class would eliminate New York City Personal Income Taxes for filers with dependents — largely families with children — living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line. Additionally, the proposal would gradually phase out the New York City Personal Income Tax for filers whose income is immediately above — within $5,000 — of 150 percent of the federal poverty line.

Table for illustrative purposes showing maximum annual income for different family sizes at 150 percent of the of the current U.S. Census Bureau’s Official Poverty Measure. Data for larger family sizes can be found online.

By eliminating the New York City Personal Income Tax for working-class families, the proposal would return nearly $46 million to over 429,000 New Yorkers, including both tax filers and their dependents. Additionally, by lowering taxes for people immediately above 150 percent of the federal poverty line, the proposal would return another $17 million to over 152,500 New Yorkers and their dependents, putting more than a collective $63 million back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers. The proposal alone will deliver an average benefit of approximately $350 per household.

Axe the Tax for the Working Class builds on the Adams administrations’ continued efforts to help put money back into the pockets of working-class New Yorkers. In 2022, Mayor Adams successfully pushed Albany to expand the New York City Earned Income Tax Credit (NYC EITC) for the first time in nearly two decades, delivering more than $345 million in tax relief to New Yorkers over the 2023 tax season, at an average of approximately $450 per household. When combined, both Axe the Tax for the Working Class and the new, enhanced NYC EITC would put more than a collective $408 million back into the pockets of 2 million New Yorkers — providing an average benefit of approximately $800 per household — and effectively eliminating New York City income taxes for a family of four making less than $46,350.

Table showing possible tax relief for New York City families from both Enhanced NYC EITC as well as Axe the Tax for the Working Class.

The Adams administration has already saved New Yorkers more than $30 billion by connecting local residents to city, state, and federal programs, including a historic expansion of the NYC EITC. Since the start of the Adams administration, the New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection’s (DCWP) “NYC Free Tax Prep” program has helped New Yorkers save nearly $57 million in tax preparation fees by helping filers file approximately 257,000 tax returns for free. NYC Free Tax Prep providers also offered drop-off services and virtual tax preparation services. In fall 2023, DCWP launched NYC Free Tax Prep for self-employed filers, offering specialized services tailored to gig workers, freelancers, and small business owners who often face barriers to filing taxes and managing financial recordkeeping.

“I appreciate the efforts of Mayor Adams and my colleagues in government for working to provide tax relief for the middle class. This kind of Personal Income Tax relief is not just a financial necessity, but also demonstrates a commitment to the hardworking families who are the backbone of our economy,” said New York State Senator Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. “I believe the effects of Axe the Tax would have a positive direct impact in helping individuals struggling to pay for health care, groceries, rent, rising insurance premiums, property taxes and costs associated with everyday life. I remain hopeful we can implement this tax relief properly for the benefit of our residents.”

“By eliminating and reducing the city personal income tax for over half a million New Yorkers, we are providing real relief to those who are working hard to make ends meet,” said New York State Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn. “The inclusion of Mayor Adams’ Axe the Tax for the Working Class proposal in our state FY26 budget is a major victory for all New Yorkers and a critical step toward easing the financial burden on families who need it most. I’m committed to making New York City more affordable, and that’s why I first co-sponsored this legislation to ‘Axe the Tax for the Working Class’ with Senator Leroy Comrie. I thank Mayor Adams, my legislative colleagues, and our partners in organized labor for standing together to prioritize ensuring New York City remains a welcoming home where every family can thrive.”

“We are laser-focused on uplifting all New Yorkers in economic distress. Axe the Tax will eliminate city income taxes for over 400,000 New Yorkers and slash them for another 150,000. Combined with the EITC I helped expand in Albany, we will put almost half a billion dollars back in the pockets of two million New Yorkers,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar. “At a time when one in four New Yorkers is in poverty, and we are all feeling the squeeze of inflation, this tax relief will serve as a vital lifeline for families to put food on the table and have a roof over their heads. Together, we are committed to forging a path to economic security for all New Yorkers, allowing everyone to grow and thrive.”

“Hardworking New Yorkers, including the hospitality workers we represent, deserve a city that prioritizes their financial well-being. While our members are able to band together to fight for living wages and quality benefits, tens of thousands of workers earning minimum wage continue to struggle to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. ‘Axe the Tax for the Working Class’ is a meaningful step towards providing much needed-relief for working families, helping them keep more of their hard earned wages,” said Rich Maroko, president, Hotel and Gaming Trades Council. “The Hotel & Gaming Trades Council is proud to stand with Mayor Adams and our partners in Albany as we work to make New York City a more affordable place to live and work, and we look forward to getting this across the finish line.”

“The New Yorkers who power our city’s economy are facing an affordability crisis, and that’s why my union supports the ‘Axe the Tax for the Working Class’ proposal,” said Stuart Appelbaum, president, Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union (RWDSU). “This common-sense solution will put money back into the pockets of RWDSU members and working-class families who need a boost in these tough economic times. We urge lawmakers to listen to working people and Axe the Tax in this year’s New York state budget.”

“As the leader of the largest provider of shelter for families with children in the nation, I see the affordability crisis play out every single day. New York City has been a place where families could get ahead and achieve the American dream. We cannot turn our backs on that legacy,” said Christine C. Quinn, president and CEO, Win Inc. “Axe the Tax for the Working Class is a serious, substantive policy that will give hundreds of dollars back to those who need it most and help deliver the long-overdue relief that New Yorkers require. WIN is grateful to the Adams administration, and our state partners for their leadership, and together, let’s Axe the Tax for the Working Class.”

MAYOR ADAMS, DSS COMMISSIONER WASOW PARK CELEBRATE OPENING OF DEEPLY AFFORDABLE HOUSING SITE FOR WOMEN-LED HOUSEHOLDS DURING WOMEN’S HISTORY MONTH

Bronx Building With 64 High-Quality Homes for Women-Led Households with CityFHEPS Vouchers is Latest in City’s Efforts to Create Subsidized Apartments for Households in Shelter

Record-Breaking Years Highlight Adams Administration Continued Delivery of Critically-Needed Housing as City Faces Generational Housing Crisis

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) Commissioner Molly Wasow Park today celebrated Women’s History Month with the opening of a new 64-unit site with affordable housing in the Bronx that will prioritize women-led households — the first Affordable Housing Services (AHS) site to specifically prioritize renting units to women-led households. At this site, 64 units were created through the AHS initiative, which was launched last year to fast track permanent, affordable homes for people in shelter. With the opening of this building, the Adams administration has already created 460 high-quality, deeply affordable homes for New Yorkers in shelter through the AHS initiative.

“We are putting New York City’s women first and giving them homes to call their own so they can thrive,” said Mayor Adams. “This new building is the latest in our efforts to create subsidized apartments for New Yorkers using our administration’s Affordable Housing Services initiative, and it marks more than 450 deeply affordable homes we have created for New Yorkers in shelter. It also builds on our record-breaking progress connecting New Yorkers in shelter to permanent, affordable homes. Last year, DSS helped more than 16,000 households, or approximately 34,000 people, move out of shelters and into stable homes. Now 34,000 New Yorkers have the chance at a better future, including more women-led households.”

“As someone who started their career in the field of affordable housing, I’m incredibly proud of our expanding housing footprint at the Department of Social Services and the work we did to move a record number of households from shelter to stable homes in 2024,” said DSS Commissioner Wasow Park. “With the Affordable Housing Services initiative, this administration has found an innovative way to connect at-risk New Yorkers to housing in the face of a citywide vacancy rate of 1.4 percent. Moreover, through this AHS site, developed in partnership with Community Housing Innovations, we are advancing gender equity and empowering women-led households to become more financially independent — making this a win-win for everyone involved. We couldn’t be happier for these households and for the hundreds of New Yorkers occupying homes that were created through this initiative and the hundreds more in the shelter system that will benefit from the more than 550 homes in the AHS pipeline.”

“Community Housing Innovations believes that quality, affordable housing provides a firm foundation for a prosperous life, and all of us need a home of our own,” said Ron Abad, CEO, Community Housing Innovations. “We celebrate and welcome home each family that has progressed in their housing journey, moving from shelter to a permanent home. All New Yorkers should be proud of this great accomplishment.”

The 64-unit building for mostly women-headed households is the latest AHS site, and the first to prioritize women-led households, to open as part of the Adams administration’s push to fast-track the creation of deeply affordable homes. With approximately 460 units now open across AHS sites over the last year alone, DSS is working to expedite the opening of 568 more deeply affordable homes for New Yorkers in the shelter system with City Fighting Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement (CityFHEPS) vouchers. DSS continues to develop the AHS pipeline, working with various not-for-profit providers to identify new high-quality proposals as the city looks to build on last year’s record-breaking progress connecting New Yorkers in shelter to permanent subsidized housing. Today’s announcement marks the fifth site that DSS has opened since the AHS initiative was launched last year.

This AHS site will be operated by not-for-profit human services provider Community Housing Innovations. DSS has finalized or opened AHS sites with various not-for-profit providers, including Riseboro, the Fortune Society, and VIP Community Services. Today’s announcement follows the opening in December of a 63-unit Affordable Housing Services site building in the Bronx operated by The Doe Fund.

The opening is also the latest achievement in the Adams administration’s efforts to build on the record-breaking progress it’s already achieved connecting New Yorkers in shelter to permanent, affordable homes. In 2024, DSS helped more than 16,000 households (nearly 34,000 people) move out of shelters and into stable homes, 38 percent more than the year before. A record number of New Yorkers used CityFHEPS vouchers to obtain permanent housing or stay in their current homes.

While CityFHEPS vouchers are a crucial tool for connecting New Yorkers to affordable housing, there are approximately 11,000 households holding CityFHEPS vouchers currently in the city’s shelter system who are unable to find housing due to the city’s severe housing shortage. AHS created a newer, much needed, and scalable pathway out of shelter. Through the program, the city leverages social services dollars to help nonprofits purchase or enter long-term, building-wide leases to create deeply affordable housing with 30-year contracts leveraging social services dollars — locking in long-term affordability with strong tenant protections for CityFHEPS voucher holders. Virtually all of the program’s apartments are fully leased, demonstrating the success of this innovative housing program for CityFHEPS voucher holders in shelter.

Today’s announcement builds on the Adams administration’s historic efforts in combatting the city’s housing crisis. 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 the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development 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.

The opening of this new affordable housing site for mostly women-led households is also part of Mayor Adams “Women Forward NYC: An Action Plan for Gender Equity” initiative and $62 million investment aimed at making New York City the most women-forward city in the country. The action plan, which encompasses new and ongoing investments, is dedicated to supporting historically-marginalized populations and putting them on a path toward economic mobility, improved health outcomes, and housing stability.

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATES PASSAGE OF “GET SHEDS DOWN” LEGISLATION

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after the New York City Council passed Intro 393-A, Intro 661-A, Intro 391-A, Intro 394-A, and Intro 660-A, fulfilling key commitments in Mayor Adams’ “Get Sheds Down” plan.

“When our administration came into office, we said the days of letting scaffolding sheds languish on our streets were over. These eyesores were crowding our sidewalks, stifling our small businesses, and darkening our city; it was time for something to change.

“We launched our ‘Get Sheds Down’ initiative to remove long-standing sidewalk sheds on public and private property, strengthen industry outreach, initiate our shed redesign project to create better designs, and much more. Thanks to these efforts, we’ve already removed hundreds of scaffolding sheds across New York City, but our administration was clear that we wanted — and needed — to go further. We called for an ambitious package of legislation to overhaul outdated city codes and flip the script on scaffolding, creating meaningful incentives for property owners to actually finish safety work and remove sheds rather than leave them up year after year. Today’s vote will do just that.

“These revitalized rules will help the New York City Department of Buildings remove unsightly scaffolding and ensure that sidewalks sheds are safer, more secure, and more visually appealing when they go up for a limited amount of time. Above all, they will allow us to reclaim valuable space for the public and let the light back onto our sidewalks. Thank you to the New York City Council — especially Councilmembers Erik Bottcher, Keith Powers, and Pierina Sanchez — for passing this critical legislation as well as Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine for his tireless advocacy on this issue. This is a win for New Yorkers, for businesses, and for the future of our city.”

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES NEW YORK YANKEES’ AND NEW YORK METS’ HOME GAMES PROJECTED TO GENERATE OVER $900 MILLION IN ECONOMIC ACTIVITY FOR NEW YORK CITY DURING 2025 MLB REGULAR SEASON 

As Yankees and Mets Prepare for First Home Games, Both Teams Continue to Generate Hundreds of Millions of Dollars for Local Economy, Create Good-Paying Jobs

Announcement Highlights Continued Economic Growth Under Adams Administration

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) today announced that New York Yankees’ and New York Mets’ regular home games combined are expected to generate $909 million in economic impact for New York City over the course of the 2025 Major League Baseball (MLB) season. As baseball season kicks off and both teams prepare for their first home games, the Yankees and Mets continue to drive the local economy in New York City and create local jobs. Today’s announcement highlights the ongoing resurgence and economic growth under the Adams administration since coming into office three years ago.

“Today’s numbers show that our hometown teams continue to be a home run for our local economy. Whether you are a Mets or Yankees fan, when our teams play in New York City, we all win,” said Mayor Adams. “Both teams combined will generate over $900 million in economic impact the regular season alone for the five boroughs — creating good-paying jobs and supporting small businesses. This season, New Yorkers should take themselves out to the ballgame, root for your favorite team, visit their local business, and continue to spend money. Best of luck to the Mets and Yankees this year — I just wish I had a hat that could celebrate both teams. Let’s bring home a championship!”

“New York City’s economy is stronger than ever, and as we gear up for baseball’s opening day, the city will see an estimated $900 million in economic impact from our home teams on top of our already record-setting jobs numbers,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “No matter what happens on the field this season, we’ll all be rooting for our hometown and New York City’s economy is a winner thanks to the Yankees and the Mets. GO NYC!!”

“With baseball returning to the Bronx and Queens, New York City will receive a significant economic boost of over $900 million,” said NYCEDC President and CEO Andrew Kimball. “Baseball is a key driver of our local economy — creating jobs, supporting small businesses, and encouraging both New Yorkers and visitors to spend money in our city.”

“The Yankees take great pride in being an integral part of the fabric of New York City,” said New York Yankees President Randy Levine. “The significant impact that our home games have on the economic well-being of our city is a tribute not only to our local fans but to those who visit Yankee Stadium from around the world.”

“New York’s sports culture is a huge part of New York City’s appeal, and the Mets are a vital part of that widespread sports fandom,” said New York Mets President of Business Operations M. Scott Havens. “Through ticket sales, merchandise, job creation and other stadium services, we help generate a significant economic impact for the city and state annually.”

Today’s analysis accounts for direct impacts from visitor spending, including tickets, concessions, merchandise, transportation, and lodging for overnight visitors. Additionally, the analysis accounts for stadium employee payrolls and indirect impacts from additional spending by stadium companies and employees. New York Yankees’ home games are expected to generate an economic impact of $594 million over the course of the 2025 regular season, while New York Mets’ home games are expected to generate an economic impact of $315 million over the course of the 2025 regular season. The economic impact of Yankees home games is estimated to be higher than the economic impact of Mets homes games because of higher ticket prices and higher expected attendance. While prices are based on current pricing for the 2025 season, expected attendance is based on historical averages for a normal season and should not be viewed as a projection of a team’s performance in 2025. Game attendance is estimated based on home-game averages from 2018, 2019, 2023, and 2024.

Today’s announcement is another significant milestone highlighting the city’s near-full economic and tourist recovery post-pandemic thanks to the Adams administration’s leadership. Local sports have been proven to be a major contributor to New York City’s economy. Last October, the 2024 Yankees, Mets, and Women’s National Basketball Association New York Liberty’s postseasons alone in New York City generated nearly $200 million in economic activity from the home games of their respective playoff runs.

Last December, Mayor Adams announced a new end-of-year tourism forecast that shows the city’s continued strong economic growth and reputation as a global tourist destination. In 2024, nearly 65 million visitors came to New York City — the second-highest figure in city history and a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year. The city is on pace to surpass pre-pandemic levels and mark a new high in city history in 2025, marking a full economic recovery. Today’s announcement is another significant milestone highlighting the city’s near-full economic and tourist recovery post-pandemic.

Earlier this month, Mayor Adams celebrated that New York City has, once again, set another record for an all-time high total number of jobs in the city’s history, with 4,861,813 total jobs, according to new data released by the New York state Department of Labor. This is the 10th time the Adams administration has broken the all-time high jobs record since Mayor Adams entered office. Included in the all-time high jobs number is an all-time high private-sector job record with 4,258,376 jobs.

“The projected $900 million in economic activity presents a powerful opportunity to uplift communities like ours — by ensuring that funding and investment reach the people who call District 35 home,” said New York State Assemblywoman Larinda C. Hooks. “That means creating real jobs, supporting local businesses, and ensuring vendors near our stadiums benefit from this growth. We’re excited to work together on economic strategies that prioritize equity, opportunity, and community-first growth.”

“Juan Soto said it himself that New York is a Mets town, and Queens couldn’t be more excited for the baseball season to get underway this week,” said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. “Not only because the Mets are going to bring a World Series title home to The World’s Borough this year, but because we know how much of a home run the team is for Queens’ local economy. With the historic redevelopment of Willets Point next to Citi Field on deck, it has never been a better time to be a fan of the Mets or a resident of Queens. Looking forward to another thrilling and economically beneficial baseball season in The World’s Borough!”

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES $5.5 MILLION INVESTMENT TO EXPAND FREE SWIM LESSONS TO NEARLY 18,000 STUDENTS, BUILDING SAFER, MORE AFFORDABLE CITY FOR NYC FAMILIES 

Announced in Mayor Adams’ Fourth State of the City Address, NYC Parks’ Free Swimming Classes Will Now Serve 4,800 Additional Students 

Expansion Will Focus on Underserved Communities and Ensure More Students Have Access to Life-Saving Swimming Lessons 

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Adams and New York City Department of Parks and Recreation (NYC Parks) Commissioner Sue Donoghue today outlined details on the administration’s $5.5 million expansion of its highly-successful free swimming classes to more students in underserved areas, delivering a safer and more affordable city and one that is a better place to raise a family. First announced in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City address, NYC Parks will expand free swim programs to reach another 4,800 second graders — bringing the total students served through the program to nearly 18,000. The initiative will target underserved communities and save working-class families $1.3 million in swimming lessons with this expansion alone. These free lessons will take place at New York City Public Schools pools and select third party indoor pools.

“To make New York City the best place to raise a family, we must continue to invest in the services that families need and deserve, and that includes swim safety,” said Mayor Adams. “Expanding free swimming classes will enrich our young people’s lives and keep them safe, allowing families to confidently take advantage of our world-class beaches and pools. Under this $5.5 million expansion, we will now reach a total of nearly 18,000 students with this program, serving more kids and families in underserved communities, and saving families over $1.3 million on swim lessons. This investment, once again, builds on our work to create a safer, more affordable city for working-class people as we continue to make New York City the best place to raise a family.”

“As New York City summers get hotter, New Yorkers of all ages increasingly rely on our 14 miles of beaches and dozens of public pools to cool off,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Jeffrey Roth. “While we invest in the hardware, spending over $1 billion to retrofit and build new city pools, all that infrastructure only goes so far without the safety skills to go along with it. We’re starting kids early, in second grade, providing free swim safety classes so kids build skills that will follow them for the rest of their lives.”

NYC Parks’ free swimming classes taught more than 13,000 young people how to swim in Fiscal Year 2024, saving families hundreds of dollars each on swimming classes every year and laying the foundation for a lifetime of water safety for their children. As part of this program, NYC Parks will host three sessions — in winter, spring, and fall — of free swim safety classes each school year. Each session will serve six classes, with approximately 20 students per class, or 120 per session, totaling about 360 to 370 students throughout the school year. This targeted effort ensures that more second graders, particularly in underserved communities, gain life-saving water-safety skills while benefiting from Mayor Adams’ broader efforts to make New York City safer and more affordable for working-class families.

In addition to today’s announcement, more than 6,800 people were served last year as part of the city’s “Learn to Swim” program at indoor pools, and more than 6,600 people took part in “Swim for Life” program, a vital initiative aimed at preventing childhood drownings by building partnerships between public agencies and private organizations. About 20,000 people take part in swim programming — including senior splash and swim team programs and swimming lessons for children — throughout the year with NYC Parks. Finally, more than 60 percent of NYC Parks’ pools are less than one-quarter of a mile from a New York City Housing Authority campus and in communities with high Heat Vulnerability Index scores, making free swim lessons crucial to the safety of New York City youth.

To learn more about water safety programs, New Yorkers can visit NYC Parks’ website.

The expansion of free swimming classes is the latest in the Adams administration’s commitment to ensuring more New York City families have access to safe and affordable swimming programming. The administration has brought seven pools back online over the last three years including Evander Campus, Dewitt Clinton, two pools at Truman Campus, M045 River East Elementary, New Utrecht High School, and Beach Channel Campus. In June 2024, Mayor Adams announced a $1 billion investment to public pools in all five boroughs, including two new pools in Brooklyn and Queens — the first public city pools to be added since 2008.

Beyond today’s major investment in the city’s pools, the Adams administration has also taken strong steps to combat a nationwide lifeguard shortage to ensure that as many of New York City’s pools and beaches can be open for safe swimming as possible this summer. In May 2024, an arbitration panel issued an award in the city’s ongoing negotiations with the bargaining unit representing city lifeguards that will functionally pave the way for the city to be able to hire more lifeguards, allow more swimming capacity at beaches and pools over the coming summers, and improve operations of the city lifeguard program. Among other things, the award will allow the city to modify the qualifications for lifeguards assigned to shallow water pools and modernize the vision requirements to be more in line with state regulations and industry standards. This action builds on the city’s agreement with District Council 37 last year to permanently improve the pay of city lifeguards to $22 an hour as of last summer, along with a $1,000 per year bonus for returning lifeguards.

Banner Image: Swim lessons. Image Credit – April Walker