Financial Literacy for NYC Public Schools, 10,000 New Homes, Brooklyn Affordable Homes, Key To The City, Bronx Affordable Housing, Manhattan Plan Proposal: Mayor Adams 

Financial Literacy for NYC Public Schools, 10,000 New Homes, Brooklyn Affordable Homes, Key To The City, Bronx Affordable Housing, Manhattan Plan Proposal: Mayor Adams 

Editor’s note: Last week, our Mayor’s rundown featured his statement on the passing of Charles Rangel, former congressman, along with some of the events planned for that week to allow New Yorkers to pay their respects.  the Key to the City was awarded posthumously to the congressman. 

MAYOR ADAMS, DCWP, NYC PUBLIC SCHOOLS UNVEIL ‘FINANCIAL LITERACY FOR YOUTH’ INITIATIVE, ANNOUNCE FIRST SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO RECIEVE FINANCIAL EDUCATORS FOR STUDENTS

Unveiled in State of the City Address Earlier This Year, ‘FLY’ Will Ensure Every Public School Student Can Learn How to Save and Spend Money

Educators Will Provide Counseling, Lead Workshops, and Help Create Curricula for Students Starting in Coming School Year 

Over 350,000 Public School Students and Family Members Will Be Served Within First Five Years of Program Alone 

New York City Becomes One of First Public School Systems in Nation to Place Financial Educators in Schools

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Department of Consumer and Worker Protection (DCWP) Commissioner Vilda Vera Mayuga, and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today unveiled key details of the Adams administration’s “Financial Literacy for Youth” (FLY) initiative to make sure that every public school student can learn how to save and spend money by 2030. As part of today’s announcement, Mayor Adams unveiled the first 15 public school districts to receive financial educators, who will provide students and their families with free counseling and workshops starting this upcoming school year. Financial educators will also help develop classroom resources to build responsible financial habits. Financial educators will have specialized skills in leading workshops and trainings, as well as experience working with young people and families; they will support teachers and families to foster a financially-healthy environment for all school children. More than 350,000 public school students and family members will be served by financial educators through counseling, workshops, and other resources in the first five years of the program. Ultimately, the Adams administration will place a financial educator in every single district by 2030 as part of its FLY initiative, making New York City one of the first public school systems in the United States to deploy financial educators directly to schools and support students with this valuable resource. First announced in Mayor Adams’ State of the City address earlier this year, FLY will also pilot in-school banking to give students real-world exposure to safe and affordable banking options and explore additional ways to give students hand-on experience learning about saving and managing money.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means giving our young people the tools to succeed. Too many students leave high school knowing about chemical bonds but not Treasury Bonds; they learn how to do complex calculus but not how to do their taxes — that ends with our administration,” said Mayor Adams. “To succeed in the 21^st century, students need to learn how to do both, which is why we set an ambitious goal of making sure that every public school student can learn how to save and spend money by 2030. Today’s announcement will help us reach that goal — giving students, their family members, and their teachers the resources to succeed. This time next year, when students in these 15 districts have a question about opening a bank account or buying their first stock, they’ll have a valuable new tool to use. We’re not stopping there though; soon, we’ll bring these counselors to every district and expand our Financial Literacy for Youth initiative to set even more of our public school students on the path towards success.”

“The best way to set our children up for financial success is to prevent them from making the same financial mistakes that we’ve all made in our lives, but for too long, young people have been left out of our efforts to financially empower New Yorkers,” said DCWP Commissioner Vera Mayuga. “With ‘FLY,’ we will make sure our that city’s children are able to reach for the clouds and soar toward their financial goals. Thank you to Mayor Adams and to Chancellor Aviles-Ramos for partnering with us to help our young people secure their financial futures.”

“Financial literacy is a fundamental life skill that sets our students up for success,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “Programs like ‘FLY’ will equip our students with the knowledge to make informed decisions about saving, spending, and investing, helping them become confident in making financial decisions. This program also builds upon the existing financial literacy curriculum over 15,000 students are receiving in our 135 FutureReadyNYC high schools. We are grateful for Mayor Adams and Commissioner Mayuga’s commitment to ensuring this core skill is a part of every student’s education.”

The Adams administration is taking an innovative and multi-pronged approach to give young people the tools they need to build healthy financial habits and set them on a path to success in adulthood. In the coming school year, DCWP will deploy financial educators to 15 select public school districts to provide counseling and lead workshops for school children and their families. The first 15 participating school districts — which were selected based on high rates of unbanked neighborhoods and existing participation in New York City Public Schools’ FutureReadyNYC program — will be:

Ultimately, the Adams administration will expand youth financial empowerment counselors to all school districts. Additionally, FLY will provide in-school banking in underbanked communities to give students real-world exposure to safe and affordable banking options and explore additional ways to give students hand-on experience learning about saving and managing money. FLY was informed by a public forum DCWP held in November 2024 to solicit insights and recommendations from students, teachers, families, and experts on the subject of youth financial empowerment and addressing the gaps in financial education and resources for young adults. Following that hearing, DCWP released “From Tween to Twentysomething: Helping Young People Secure the Bag,” a comprehensive report summarizing testimony and key panels at the public forum.

FLY builds on DCWP’s work helping New Yorkers build responsible financial habits, manage debt, and keep more money in their pockets. Since 2008, DCWP’s Financial Empowerment Centers have helped tens of thousands of New Yorkers improve their credit, reduce their debt by more than $120 million, and increase their savings by more than $13 million through free one-on-one financial counseling services. FLY also builds on the Adams administration’s investment in scholarship accounts for college and career training to public school students beginning in kindergarten through the Save for College Program. To date, nearly 280,000 public school students have an NYC Scholarship Account with more than $45 million accumulated for their educational futures. From the Save for College Program to FLY to Financial Empowerment Centers, New York City now offers a comprehensive, multi-generational financial empowerment strategy. New Yorkers 18 and older can visit DCWP’s Financial Counseling webpage or call 311 and say “financial counseling” to schedule an appointment or for more information.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivers remarks at the Bangladeshi American Cultural Association event. 2425 Waterbury Avenue, Bronx, NY. Sunday, June 29, 2025. Photo Credit: Benny Polatseck/Mayoral Photography Office

MAYOR ADAMS CELEBRATE’S CITY PLANNING COMMISSION’S APPROVAL OF MIDTOWN SOUTH MIXED-USE PLAN TO CREATE NEARLY 10,000 NEW HOMES

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Plan Would Bring Nearly 3,000 Permanently Affordable Homes to Midtown South Neighborhood 

Proposal is Part of Adams Administration’s Ambitious “Manhattan Plan” to Add 100,000 New Homes to Borough Over Next Decade 

Plan Now Heads to City Council for Review and Final Vote 

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 Midtown South Mixed-Use (MSMX) Plan, an ambitious proposal to bring approximately 9,700 new homes across 42 blocks of Midtown South where housing is largely not allowed today. By mapping Mandatory Inclusionary Housing onto the neighborhood for the first time, and requiring new developments to include affordable housing, MSMX ensures that up to 2,900 of those units will be permanently affordable as well. New housing in the neighborhood will be paired with public realm improvements and additional investments to create a more vibrant, 24/7 neighborhood with affordable housing, good jobs, and accessible open space. MSMX is a key component of Mayor Adams’ “Manhattan Plan” to create over 100,000 new homes across the borough over the coming decade to bring the total number of homes in Manhattan to 1 million. First unveiled in his State of the City address earlier this year, the Manhattan Plan utilizes neighborhood rezonings like MSMX, the redevelopment of city-owned sites like 100 Gold Street in Lower Manhattan, and individual applications for zoning changes like the creation of nearly 700 homes above a future Second Avenue Subway station in East Harlem.

“Midtown South is home to some of our city’s most iconic parks, buildings, and businesses, yet for too long, outdated zoning has stopped it from actually being a home for many New Yorkers. With today’s vote, we are one step closer to finally building new housing in Midtown and making it a vibrant neighborhood to live, work, and play in,” said Mayor Adams. “Our Midtown South Mixed-Use plan will not only bring nearly 10,000 new homes to the neighborhood, but it will bring us closer to our vision of 100,000 new homes across all of Manhattan over the next decade and help make sure that New York City is the best place to raise a family.”

“The City of New York is in a housing crisis, and to overcome that crisis and make New York more affordable we need to build a little more housing in each neighborhood, including Midtown South,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrion, Jr. “That’s what the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan does — it provides updated zoning that will allow for meaningful housing production in a transit-rich section of the city, including almost 3,000 affordable units, and help write a new chapter for the future of midtown as a dynamic, mixed-use district.”

“With commercial vacancies too high and housing vacancies at historically low levels, it’s a perfect time to seize this opportunity to create a 24/7, mixed-use neighborhood. This plan will bring forth a vibrant mix of commercial, manufacturing, and residential uses, creating a truly dynamic community here,” said DCP Director and CPC Chair Garodnick. “Today’s vote takes us one step closer to the affordable homes, jobs, and infrastructure improvements Midtown South deserves. Thanks to the City Planning commissioners for their support.”

The MSMX plan covers four distinct areas centered around Herald and Greeley Squares located roughly between West 23^rd and West 40^th Streets as well as 5^th and 8^th Avenues. This part of Midtown South is largely saddled with outdated industrial zoning that prohibits new housing, severely limiting opportunities for future growth. While Midtown South has long been a powerful economic center — including over 7,000 businesses, 135,000 jobs, and access to important transit hubs at Penn Station, the Port Authority Bus Terminal, Herald Square, and Bryant Park — the neighborhood has struggled since the COVID-19 pandemic with commercial vacancies and restrictive zoning rules that limit opportunities for New Yorkers to live near their jobs.

Mayor Adams’ MSMX plan will create nearly 10,000 new homes across
four distinct areas in Midtown South, including 2,900 affordable units. Credit: DCP.

The MSMX plan works to address these challenges and bring new housing to the neighborhood. By establishing mixed-use zoning districts that allow housing, industrial enterprises, and commercial businesses all in the same area, the MSMX plan could create around 9,700 new homes — including up to 2,900 income-restricted affordable homes via Mandatory Inclusionary Housing, which would apply to Midtown for the first time. The plan also marks the first use of new, high-density R11 and R12 zoning districts, which allow higher residential “floor-to-area ratios” (FAR) of 15 and 18. These new districts were created through a combination of Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” initiative and the Adams administration’s successful advocacy in Albany to lift the outdated FAR cap, which had previously arbitrarily limited housing density in New York City. With these new tools, the Adams administration was able to more than double the amount of projected housing with the MSMX neighborhood rezoning. These changes would also allow buildings to convert offices to housing, unlocking another important way to create new homes and repurpose vacant or underutilized space in this area.

The new zoning districts proposed in MSMX will continue to allow for a wide range of non-residential uses — including light manufacturing, office space, and retail — as well as permit new uses by community facilities like schools and libraries. To improve the public realm in the neighborhood, the plan would create a new zoning special district — the Special Midtown South Mixed-Use District — that will ensure new buildings with higher residential densities reflect the area’s existing loft-like character such as high ceilings, open spaces, and a flexible layout. The new zoning district will also maintain active street fronts with uses such as ground-floor retail. This will help to create an open, welcoming streetscape environment for residents, workers, and visitors.

Complementing the Adams administration’s “Broadway Vision” initiative to enhance public space along Broadway, the MSMX plan will provide a density bonus allowing developments to add additional housing if they provide local improvements in the neighborhood. These improvements — which can include increased accessibility to public transit stations, privately-owned public spaces, and public indoor spaces like atriums — would help establish a more active and dynamic public realm. Buildings will also receive a floor area exemption if they set aside space for a public school.

The MSMX plan grew from over a year of community engagement. That public planning process included a kickoff meeting, a town hall, a public information session presenting the draft plan, one-on-one conversations with New Yorkers, and stakeholder events with residents, business owners, local groups, non-profit organizations, and social service providers. DCP also used online tools, including an interactive map and survey, to garner further input on what New Yorkers wanted to see in Midtown South. Throughout this process, DCP repeatedly heard strong support for creating housing opportunities in the neighborhood; boosting small businesses and jobs; and prioritizing active, safe streets.

The CPC’s vote today for MSMX follows favorable recommendations from Manhattan Community Board 5, the Manhattan Borough Board, and Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. The proposal now goes to the New York City Council for a public hearing and vote.

With the CPC’s approval of MSMX, DCP has also released a new FAQ guide to the plan. It provides clear answers to common questions, covering key topics like the introduction of new zoning districts, the requirement for affordable housing, and how MSMX aligns with the neighborhood. The FAQ is available to download, alongside other informational materials, at midtownsouthplan.nyc.

The Adams Administration’s Record on Housing 

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens, as well as in Midtown South in Manhattan.

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. Last June, City Hall and the 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 $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back 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 Adams administration has continued to advance bold, forward-looking projects to build more housing, 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, announcing 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, and moving forward on a MTA proposal to transform a long-vacant lot in East Harlem into a mixed-use tower with nearly 700 new homes. All of these projects build on this year’s State of the City address, where Mayor Adams unveiled his “City of Yes for Families” vision, a multi-pronged approach to housing, zoning, and public space that will create more family-friendly neighborhoods and build new housing.

Additionally, to help more New Yorkers reach homeownership and build generational wealth, 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. In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through an $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.

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 FAR 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 Midtown South plan is an exciting proposal to redevelop a greatly undervalued area of Manhattan, building on the legacy of the Garment District to create a new creative industry and residential cluster that features the city’s excellence in fashion and retail, the arts, and entertainment,” said Kathryn Wylde, president & CEO, Partnership for New York City. “It will be transformational!”

“Today’s vote is a major milestone for Midtown South and a win for New York. With over 135,000 jobs and 7,000 businesses in the area, this neighborhood has long deserved a plan that matches its potential,” said Carlo A. Scissura, Esq., president and CEO, New York Building Congress. “The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan will deliver more housing, vibrancy, and a stronger, more connected community. The Building Congress applauds the city for advancing this vision and looks forward to continuing our support for the growth it will bring.”

“We’re thrilled to see the City Planning Commission vote in favor of the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, a major milestone on the path toward a more livable and inclusive Midtown,” said Rachel Fee, executive director, New York Housing Conference. “For far too long, outdated zoning policies have limited the potential of this well-resourced area to help address New York City’s urgent housing needs. In the midst of a dire housing crisis, this plan opens the door to new housing opportunities, including much-needed affordable housing. We’re eager to see this vibrant, mixed-used community come to life in the heart of New York City.” 

“With the best public transit connections in the nation, Midtown South is poised to emerge from the post-pandemic era as a 24/7 community,” said Danny Pearlstein, policy and communications director, Riders Alliance. “New zoning for today’s needs will enable the neighborhood to help ease the housing crisis while taking advantage of excellent subway and bus access.”

“The city needs high density housing, and the Garment District needs a lifeline. The MSMX rezoning is the perfect solution to both problems. Allowing more people to live in the neighborhood will enable the district to develop into a robust, mixed-use community, with residents supporting our restaurants and enlivening our streets. The Jane Jacobs-coveted ‘eyes on the streets’ have been missing for too long in the Garment District,” said Barbara Blair, president, Garment District Alliance. “MSMX is a one-time opportunity to reverse the wrongs of past failed policies which have suppressed economic development in the neighborhood. Fostering the development of a mixed-use community will allow the Garment District to take its rightful place as an ideal location to live, work, and visit. Our future depends on it. The Garment District Alliance wholly supports MSMX.”

“There is no more appropriate place to build more housing than a neighborhood that’s within walking distance to virtually every major subway line, the busiest bus and rail stations in the country, and the largest jobs hub in the western hemisphere,” said Moses Gates, vice president for housing and neighborhood planning, Regional Plan Association. “We are excited to see the future of Midtown South as a mixed-use, mixed-income community with room for jobs, tourists and residents alike.”

“The Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan presents a thoughtful vision, delivering urgently needed housing, fostering a vibrant 24/7 neighborhood, and preserving the historic and contextual character through a mix of new construction and adaptive reuse that defines this iconic part of New York,” said Helen Hwang, urban land institute new york chair and senior executive managing director, Meridian Investment Sales. “By updating zoning to support modern light manufacturing, allowing for greater residential density, incorporating mandatory inclusionary housing — along with opportunities for future schools and libraries for the first time — and enabling office-to-residential conversions, the plan paves the way for a thriving, inclusive community built for the future.”

“Abundance New York — a community of over 2,500 pro-housing New Yorkers — applauds the progress of the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan. This is exactly the kind of bold action New York needs to address its historic housing shortage, skyrocketing rents, and record homelessness. New York is not full; especially in Midtown, we have capacity for thousands of new homes that will lower rent pressure for everyone while preventing displacement, reducing sprawl, and supporting the density that is our climate superpower,” said Ryder Kessler, co-founder, Abundance New York. “Thanks to state action that ended arbitrary limits on our density, New York City can once again build residences like many of our most beloved buildings citywide. New York can have more than enough of everything we need to thrive, and MSMX is an important step towards that future.”

Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Council Finance Chair Justin Brannan, members of the City Council, and senior members of the Adams administration announce an agreement to build on the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Executive Budget — often called the “Best Budget Ever.” City Hall. Friday, June 27, 2025. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

MAYOR ADAMS, REV. A. R. BERNARD CELEBRATE VISION FOR OVER 450 AFFORDABLE HOMES IN HEART OF EAST NEW YORK, LAUNCH NEXT PHASE OF LARGER “INNOVATIVE URBAN VILLAGE” PROJECT IN BROOKLYN

Next Phase of “Innovative Urban Village” Project Will Offer Mix of Affordable Housing Units for New Yorkers, Set Aside 15 Percent of Units for Formerly Homeless Individuals

Phase 1B Will Also Include Retail and Commercial Space, Daycare Space, and New Playground

Adams Administration Contributing Over $260 Million to Support Development

Partnership Between Adams Administration, Hochul Administration, Christian Cultural Center, Gotham Organization, and Monadnock Development

Entire Innovative Urban Village Expected to Deliver up to 2,000 Affordable Homes, Community Services, Arts Center, Child Care, and More Across 10.5 Acres in Brooklyn

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Reverend A. R. Bernard today celebrated their vision for Phase 1B of the “Innovative Urban Village,” which will create over 450 new units of affordable housing in East New York, Brooklyn. In addition to offering units to New Yorkers at a range of income levels, Phase 1B will set aside 15 percent of its units for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The phase — which will also include roughly 10,250 square feet of retail and commercial space, 12,600 square feet of daycare space, and a new 9,500-square foot playground — is expected to cost over $313 million, with the Adams administration contributing over $260 million through city capital funding and the New York City Housing Development Corporation (HDC). Phase 1B marks a key milestone in the larger Innovative Urban Village, which is expected to bring up to 2,000 new affordable homes as well as community services, a world-class arts center, 24/7 child care, and more to the community. Today’s announcement continues to build on Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Families” plan to create thousands of new homes across the city and develop more family-friendly neighborhoods from Coney Island to Inwood. City of Yes for Families also builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in New York City history. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row, passing the first citywide zoning reform in 60 years, and advancing five neighborhood plans to create jobs and new housing across the city, the new housing being created through City of Yes for Families will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032. Throughout this week alone, the Adams administration is advancing nearly 2,000 new homes across the city to help families find an affordable place to live.

“Juneteenth is not only about remembering the past; it’s about recommitting ourselves to a more just, more equal, and more prosperous future. That’s what today’s announcement at Innovative Urban Village is all about too,” said Mayor Adams. “When we came into office, we said it was time to turn the page on decades of discrimination and outdated rules and instead turn New York into a ‘City of Yes’ where every person can make it. This project, in the heart of East New York, will help us get there, bringing thousands of new homes to the neighborhood and creating a holistic community with fresh food, child care, the arts, and more. Every day, we are fighting to give New Yorkers a key to a new home and to a better future.”

“I grew up in Bed-Stuy, Bushwick, and East New York. Never did I imagine that I would have the opportunity to bring this kind of change to a community that I grew up in,” said Reverend Bernard. “This shows what is possible when government, the private sector, and not-for-profits come together to change the narrative in underserved communities like East New York. It used to be the way up was out. We want to make sure the way up is right here. Thank you to Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, our partners, and our community for your support.”

“This project is a massive investment in confronting the housing crisis — aggressively and head-on,” said New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “We are building nearly 2,000 homes altogether here at the Innovative Urban Village, creating good-paying jobs, and bringing vital resources to the community — like a child care facility, a new grocery store, and a performing arts center. Together, we are pushing forward an ambitious agenda to build a little bit more housing in every neighborhood and meet our mission of ensuring that every New Yorker has a safe, affordable place to call home. Congratulations to everyone involved, and I cannot wait for the day when families move-in and begin to build their lives at the Innovative Urban Village.”

Innovative Urban Village will create up to 2,000 new homes in East New York, with more than 450 affordable homes coming online through Phase 1B alone. Credit: Gotham Development.

The entire Innovative Urban Village is expected to create up to 2,000 homes in East New York over the coming years. Phase 1A — which began construction in April 2024 and was supported by over $47 million in funding from the Adams administration — is expected to create over 380 affordable homes as well as a fresh food grocery store for the community.

Phase 1B of Innovative Urban Village development includes 114 units for Extremely Low Income households, 114 units for Very Low Income households, 224 units for Low Income households, and one unit for a super. Sixty-eight units are set aside specifically for formerly homeless households, providing critical housing stability for some of the city’s most vulnerable residents. The project offers a range of unit types, including studios, one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom apartments, designed with modern amenities and community spaces that foster connection and well-being.

“The Innovative Urban Village project represents the kind of bold, community-centered development East New York deserves. By offering affordable homes, including units for formerly homeless individuals, with vital services like child care, retail, and green space, we are investing in the future,” said New York State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. “I commend Mayor Adams, Reverend A.R. Bernard, and all the partners for their commitment to building a more equitable Brooklyn for generations to come.”

“With an over $500 million investment from the state, I am proud to support the Innovative Urban Village, which will offer new, safe, and exciting affordable housing options for the residents I represent. East New York is one of the last areas in our great city that has valuable land to build upon. With that comes the responsibility to build with consideration to meet the needs of our residents,” said New York State Assemblymember Nikki Lucas. “Sitting on over 10 acres of land, this project brings over 2,000 units of affordable housing and key opportunities for small businesses to grow and thrive. It will also bring much-needed jobs for our residents so their families can continue flourishing in East New York. The project provides pathways to affordable homeownership for our residents and key everyday services, including daycare programs for District 60 children and a space for local artists to showcase their creative talents. I am proud to stand with Christian Cultural Center and my fellow colleagues in government as we launch this vision for a sustainable East New York.”

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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. Last June, City Hall and the 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 capital budgets. In total, the Adams administration has committed $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back 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.

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his City of Yes for Families strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

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. In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through an $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.

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.

MAYOR ADAMS POSTHUMOUSLY AWARDS KEY TO THE CITY OF NEW YORK TO FORMER CONGRESSMAN CHARLES B. RANGEL

Key to the City of New York to Honor Rangel for Lifetime of Public Service to New York City and Nation

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams posthumously awarded a Key to the City of New York to former U.S. Congressman Charles B. Rangel — who passed away on May 26^th at the age of 94 — for his lifetime of service to the city and the nation. Mayor Adams presented the key at his Gracie Mansion Juneteenth Celebration, marking Congressman Rangel’s enormous impact on the lives of New Yorkers across the five boroughs over the course of his decorated service in the U.S. Army and his historic 46-year tenure in Congress, where he spearheaded initiatives for affordable housing, health care, education, tax reform, and more.

“Charlie Rangel’s life was the embodiment of public service. He was a true son of Harlem, and always remembered his New York City roots and the people he served no matter where life took him — whether it was fighting for his country in Korea or fighting for his fellow New Yorkers on the floor of Capitol Hill,” said Mayor Adams. “In Washington, he represented his community as one of our city’s greatest elected leaders for nearly 50 years, and today, I am honored to celebrate the legacy of the ‘Lion of Lenox’ by presenting his loved ones with the honor of a Key to the City of New York. Rest in power, my friend.”

Mayor Adams posthumously awards the Key to the City of New York to former Congressman Rangel for the congressman’s lifetime of service to New York City and the nation.

The presentation of the Key to the City family follows a week of events to honor Congressman Rangel last week throughout New York City, including a public viewing and an honor guard ceremony at City Hall.

About Congressman Charles B. Rangel

Born on June 11, 1930, in New York City, Congressman Rangel rose from humble beginnings to become a decorated war hero, accomplished lawyer, and a legendary statesman. His voice helped shape the national conversation on civil rights, economic justice, and urban revitalization.

A proud son of Harlem, Congressman Rangel served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, earning a Bronze Star and a Purple Heart for his bravery. After returning home, he earned degrees from New York University and St. John’s University School of Law, which paved the way for a lifetime of public service.

In 1970, Congressman Rangel won a seat in the U.S. Congress, unseating Adam Clayton Powell Jr. His win launched a historic 46-year tenure in Congress. He was a founding member of the Congressional Black Caucus in 1971 and served as chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, the first African American to do so.

In Harlem, Congressman Rangel was the community’s steadfast and dedicated caretaker, bringing the necessary funding and pride to the place he called home. Rangel’s legacy includes not only landmark legislation but generations of those he mentored and inspired. He leaves behind a grateful community and a nation that has been enriched by his service.

The Key to the City of New York was first awarded in 1702 by New York City Mayor Phillip French, when he offered “Freedom of the City” to Viscount Edward Cornbury, governor of New York and New Jersey. By the mid-1800s, it became customary to award the Key to the City of New York as a direct symbol of the city’s wish that a guest feel free to come and go at will. Today, the Key to the City of New York is a beloved symbol of civic recognition and gratitude reserved for individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement.

Mayor Eric Adams hosts a Staten Island African American community roundtable. City Hall. Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.

MAYOR ADAMS, BRP COMPANIES, AND HUDSON COMPANIES BREAK GROUND ON 420 NEW AFFORDABLE HOMES IN MELROSE, FINAL PHASE OF LARGER “LA CENTRAL” PROJECT IN THE BRONX 

Phase II of “La Central” Housing Development Will Create Two New Buildings, Hundreds of New Affordable Units 

Once Complete, Entire La Central Project Expected to Deliver Over 1,000 Affordable Homes, Community Facility Space, and Retail Space Over Coming Years

Project Made Possible by Joint Venture Between Adams Administration, Hudson Companies, BRP Companies, ELH-TKC, Breaking Ground, J.P. Morgan, and Comunilife

Announcement Part of Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Families” Plan, Builds on Adams Administration’s Record as Most Pro-Housing Administration in New York City History

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, BRP Companies, Hudson Companies, J.P. Morgan, and project partners today broke ground on Phase II of the “La Central” housing development to bring 420 new affordable homes to the Melrose neighborhood of the Bronx. Phase II will include a range of unit types from studios to four-bedroom apartments as well as 63 supportive housing units for formerly homeless New Yorkers. The new phase is expected to cost $343 million, with the Adams administration contributing over $137 million through the New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD). Phase II will also include 13,000 square feet of community facility space, 1,500 square feet of retail space, and 7,000 square feet of new public gardens. This second phase marks the final stage of the La Central project, which will create a total of more than 1,000 mixed-income homes as well as a YMCA, a production studio, and extensive green space for Bronxites. Today’s announcement continues to build on Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Families” plan to create thousands of new homes across the city and create more family-friendly neighborhoods from Coney Island to Inwood. City of Yes for Families also builds on the Adams administration’s record as the most pro-housing administration in New York City history. In addition to creating record amounts of affordable housing two years in a row, passing the first citywide zoning reform in 60 years, and advancing five neighborhood plans to create jobs and new housing across the city, the new housing created through City of Yes for Families will help New York City reach Mayor Adams’ moonshot goal of creating 500,000 new homes by 2032. Throughout this week alone, the Adams administration is advancing nearly 2,000 new homes across the city to help families find an affordable place to live.

“Making New York City the best place to raise a family means building more affordable homes, and for the past three-and-a-half years, that’s exactly what we have done. We already passed our Bronx Metro North Plan to bring thousands of new homes and jobs to the borough, and with this groundbreaking, we are taking another major step forward in delivering for the Bronx, once again,” said Mayor Adams. “While this groundbreaking marks the final phase of La Central, it does not mark the end of our administration’s commitment to creating more homes in the Bronx and across New York City. We will continue that work every single day, in every borough.”

“The realization of the La Central development, a decade in the making, is proof of what happens when we invest in more than just buildings — and instead when we invest in people, believe in pushing boundaries, and expect more from what affordable housing can deliver for our communities,” said HPD Acting Commissioner Ahmed Tigani. “From the YMCA in Phase I to the community gardens and the telescope managed by Bronx High School of Science in Phase II, every element of this project reflects a promise we made: to meet the vision and values of a community that held our work to a higher standard. We are delivering deep affordability, sustainable design, and supportive housing for our neighbors who need it most. I want to sincerely thank and congratulate everyone who made Phase II a reality; because of your dedication, hundreds of New Yorkers will have a safe, stable place to call home. Some may discover a passion for science, others a love of nurturing their environment — and many will grow into the next generation of leaders, continuing the fight to bring more housing and hope to every corner of our city.”

“As we embark on bringing Phase II to fruition and move towards final completion of the La Central project, over 1,000 vitally needed affordable residences will have been created for the South Bronx as we strive to help fill the void in housing offerings across the city,” said Andy Cohen, managing director, BRP Companies. “This project further underscores our long-standing commitment to ensuring that equitable, sustainable, and community-focused housing opportunities are delivered and provide a lasting impact to residents and the surrounding neighborhood.”

“Today’s groundbreaking marks a major milestone in our long-standing commitment to bringing much-needed affordable and supportive housing to the South Bronx and New York City,” said Marlee Busching-Truscott, managing director of development, Hudson Companies. “La Central has been over a decade in the making and will ultimately deliver over 1,000 high-quality and sustainable homes through an inclusive, community-focused development. We’re deeply grateful to Mayor Adams, City Hall, and our co-developers for their partnership as we work together to tackle the city’s affordability crisis.”

“La Central exemplifies the power of public-private partnerships in creating vibrant, connected communities,” said Sharmi Sobhan, head, J.P. Morgan Community Development Banking’s East Region. “J.P. Morgan’s deep-rooted presence in New York drives our commitment to housing affordability and community growth and we know this project will pave the way for a brighter future for hundreds of Bronx residents.”

The entire “La Central” project will include over 1,000 affordable homes, community space, and retail space for residents of the Bronx. Credit: FXCollaborative

Upon completion in 2028, Phase II will offer a diverse mix of affordable apartments reserved for households earning between 30 and 80 percent of the Area Median Income. It will include 114 units for extremely low-income households, 106 units for very low-income households, and 198 units for low-income households, as well as two units for the building’s supers. The development features modern amenities, sustainable building practices, and community-focused spaces designed to foster connection and well-being. Building E will include a telescope remotely controlled by Bronx High School of Science on the rooftop while a large central courtyard surrounded by the La Central apartment buildings will also be completed in this phase.

Funding for Phase II comes from a range of public and private financing sources, including tax-exempt bonds from the New York City Housing Development Corporation, subsidy from HPD, Reso A funding from New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca, Low Income Housing Tax Credits, Brownfield Tax Credits, and New York State Energy Research and Development Authority grants. Red Stone Equity Partners is the tax credit syndicator and J.P. Morgan is providing credit enhancement.

The overall La Central development, comprised of five distinct buildings, delivers over 1,000 affordable housing apartments to the Bronx community. La Central Buildings A and B, which opened in 2021, are fully affordable, mixed-income, mixed-use developments with nearly 500 apartments. Building A is also home to a state-of-the-art YMCA. Building D, completed in 2019, provides 160 supportive and low-income apartments. La Central participates in the NYSERDA Multifamily Performance Program and LEED for Homes. The two new buildings created through the final phase will be designated Building C and Building E.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver more than 50,000 units over the next 15 years to New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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. Last June, City Hall and the 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 $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back 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.

Building on the success of City of Yes for Housing Opportunity, Mayor Adams unveiled his City of Yes for Families strategy earlier this year to build more homes and create more family-friendly neighborhoods across New York City. Under City of Yes for Families, the Adams administration is advancing more housing on city-owned sites, creating new tools to support homeownership, and building more housing alongside schools, playgrounds, grocery stores, accessible transit stations, and libraries.

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. In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through a $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.

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.

MAYOR ADAMS, DEPARTMENT OF CITY PLANNING KICK OFF PUBLIC ENGAGEMENT ON “MANHATTAN PLAN,” AMBITIOUS PROPOSAL TO ADD 100,000 NEW HOMES TO BOROUGH OVER NEXT DECADE

Announced in Mayor Adams’ State of the City Address Earlier This Year, Manhattan Plan Will Identify Opportunities to Build New Homes From Inwood to Financial District 

Adams Administration Will Conduct Extensive Digital and In-Person Public Engagement Process Over Coming Months

Announcement Builds on Adams Administration’s Record as Most Pro-Housing Administration in New York City History

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 launched the public engagement process — including a new website and survey — for the “Manhattan Plan,” an ambitious initiative to tackle Manhattan’s deep housing shortage by adding 100,000 new homes to the borough over the next decade. Through this engagement process, DCP will work with Manhattanites, New Yorkers at large, local elected officials, and partner agencies to generate ideas for building more homes across the borough, including prime locations for new housing, zoning updates, process improvements, policy tools, and other ideas. Following the public engagement process, DCP will create the Manhattan Plan report later this year and produce a concrete toolkit of strategies to boost housing production across the borough in the decade ahead. Since unveiling the Manhattan Plan in his State of the City address earlier this year, the Adams administration has already advanced several initiatives to create more housing in the borough, including neighborhood rezoning efforts like the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan to build nearly 10,000 more homes in the heart of Manhattan, the redevelopment of city-owned sites like at 100 Gold Street in Lower Manhattan, and individual applications for zoning changes like the creation of nearly 700 homes above a future Second Avenue Subway station in East Harlem. The public engagement process will broaden those efforts to identify even more opportunities to build housing throughout Manhattan.

“Over the past several decades, housing prices in Manhattan have gone up while working-class families have been pushed out. Our ‘Manhattan Plan’ will help change that by adding 100,000 new homes to the borough over the next decade,” said Mayor Adams. “Tackling our city’s housing crisis takes all of us, which is why we are kicking off the public engagement process for the ‘Manhattan Plan’ to hear directly from New Yorkers about where we can build more homes, how we can build more homes, and what we can do to help more families live in Manhattan. We’ll use new tools from our landmark ‘City of Yes’ initiative, city-owned sites, and input from New Yorkers to reach this ambitious goal, build more homes, and make our city the best place to raise a family.”

“Our administration is laser focused on maximizing housing opportunities throughout the five boroughs. Manhattan in particular — with its rich access to transit, jobs, and world-class cultural institutions — is ripe for a boost in housing production,” said Deputy Mayor for Housing, Economic Development, and Workforce Adolfo Carrión, Jr. “I look forward to hearing what New Yorkers have to say — not just about what they’d like to see from new housing in Manhattan, but also to help us uncover overlooked sites and novel strategies that the city should be looking at to meet our housing goals.”

“Manhattan has always been a place where people come to pursue opportunity, but for too many New Yorkers, the chance to live here has fallen out of reach. The Manhattan Plan is how we change that — by creating 100,000 new homes across the borough, we can ensure more New Yorkers of all income levels can live close to jobs, transit, and everything this borough has to offer,” said DCP Director Garodnick. “We’re excited to launch a public engagement process that will bring communities to the table to shape the ‘Manhattan Plan.’”

Manhattan has long served as an economic engine of opportunity — a leader in jobs, innovation, and commerce. However, as housing production in the borough has fallen and housing costs across the city have skyrocketed in recent decades, the possibility of living in the borough has slipped out of reach for more and more New Yorkers. Manhattan’s share of the city’s housing production has steadily declined​ since the 1970s, and from 2021-2024, Manhattan produced less housing than every borough except ​Staten Island​. Meanwhile, housing costs have rapidly escalated, with rents increasing 50 percent since 2010.

With the Manhattan Plan, the Adams administration is working to reverse this trend.​ Incorporating all tools in the city’s housing toolbox — including new high-density residential districts created through “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” that require Mandatory Inclusionary Housing — the plan will provide a toolkit to unlock housing across income levels and neighborhoods so that more New Yorkers can live close to everything the borough has to provide. The public engagement phase will continue into the early fall and include both on-the-ground engagement in Manhattan neighborhoods as well as digital engagement through a mobile-friendly, multilingual survey. The survey seeks feedback on where new housing should be added in Manhattan, policies and ideas for spurring housing growth, and more qualitative feedback about why people live — or might want to live — in the borough. A regularly updated list of upcoming Manhattan Plan neighborhood events can be found online.

Since entering office, Mayor Adams has made historic investments to create more affordable housing and ensure more New Yorkers have a place to call home. The Adams administration is advancing several robust neighborhood plans that, if adopted, would deliver close to 50,000 units across New York neighborhoods. In addition to the Bronx-Metro North Station Area Plan and the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, both of which have been passed by the New York City Council, the Adams administration is advancing plans in Midtown South in Manhattan, as well as Jamaica and Long Island City in Queens.

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. Last June, City Hall and the 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 $24.7 billion in housing capital in the current 10-year plan as the city faces a generational housing crisis. Mayor Adams celebrated back-to-back record breaking fiscal years, as well as back-to-back 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. In addition to creating more housing opportunities, the Adams administration is actively working to strengthen tenant protections and support homeowners. The Partners in Preservation program was expanded citywide in 2024 through a $24 million investment in local organizations to support tenant organizing and combat harassment in rent-regulated housing. The Homeowner Help Desk, a trusted one-stop shop for low-income homeowners to receive financial and legal counseling from local organizations, was also expanded citywide in 2024 with a $13 million funding commitment.

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.

Banner Image: Mayor Eric Adams hosts a Staten Island African American community roundtable. City Hall. Wednesday, June 25, 2025. Image Credit: Ed Reed/Mayoral Photography Office.