NYC Mayor: African American Leaders Gathering, Childhood Asthma In The Bronx, Five New Public Schools, Brooklyn Bike To School, Bronx Landlord Penalties, Peer-Led Substance Use Progs, BedStuy Affordable Housing

REMARKS AS PREPARED: MAYOR MAMDANI DELIVERS REMARKS AT AFRICAN AMERICAN CLERGY AND ELECTED OFFICIALS (AACEO) GATHERING

Good morning. Happy Friday. Thank you, Reverend Doctor Waterman, for welcoming us at Antioch — and for the wisdom and grace you have shared with your congregation and with Bed-Stuy for more than a decade. Thank you, Dr. Bailey, for bringing us together. 

It is lovely to be back at AACEO with you. I have been here before as an Assembly Member, as a candidate for office, and I am so proud to be here today as your mayor. I know that my mayoralty is at times described in the language of firsts. And yet while it may be true, I do so with the humility that it is only possible because of the many other firsts that came before. When I think of those, I think of a great New Yorker — Mayor David Dinkins. Thirty-seven years ago this fall, our city stood on the precipice of history. 

New York City was on the verge of electing its first Black mayor. I know that David Dinkins is a hero for many of you. He is for me too. And in moments where it feels lonely being the Democratic Socialist Mayor of the greatest city in the world, I draw comfort from the knowledge that in this, I followed him. But we know Mayor Dinkins’ election was hardly inevitable. Vast forces were organizing to stop his progress — to foster suspicion and division, to undermine the coalitions powering his rise. In that moment, three men — Reverend Doctor Gardener Taylor, Al Vann, and Reverend Herbert Daughtry — came together to bring the city together. 

AACEO was created not only to help get David Dinkins elected — but out of a shared belief in New York City. A belief that we are stronger united. A belief in a city that can fulfill its potential. A belief in government’s ability to deliver not for itself, but for working people. Over the 37 years since, our city has changed. Neighborhoods look different. Sports teams play in new stadiums. Coffee costs more. Over just the last 20 of those 37 years, we have watched as more than 200,000 Black New Yorkers have been forced to leave our city — because they can no longer afford life in the city they helped build. And yet, no matter how much has changed, AACEO has remained — a rock for those searching for wisdom, a resource to those it serves, a place where belief not only has a home but where belief expands what is deemed possible. 

When I think of your work, I think of what Mayor Dinkins said to the people of this city in 1989 after winning that election. “You,” he said, “voted for your hopes and not your fears.” Hope over fear. It takes belief to make that choice — because make no mistake, it is a choice, and a difficult one at that. I am in a room full of people who make that choice every day. Each morning, often long before the sun has broken the horizon, you wake up and decide to dedicate your energy to organizing and uplifting others. What is that choice if not an expression of hope? When you visit the hospital to hold the hand of a mother weeping for her child stolen by gun violence, when you accompany a frightened immigrant to 26 Federal Plaza, when you counsel a family that can hardly afford the costs of today, let alone those that will come tomorrow — what is that choice if not an expression of hope, an expression of belief in New York City? 

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Standing before you today, I think of a hymn that echoes so often across our city on Sunday mornings: “I want to walk worthy, my calling to fulfill. Please order my steps Lord, and I’ll do Your blessed will. The world is ever changing, but You are still the same; if You order my steps, I’ll praise Your name.” 

Just like all of you, I want to walk worthy. Not just worthy of those who voted for me, those who believe in my politics, those who feel at home in the movement we have built. I want to walk worthy of those who feel alone in a world and a city that is ever changing. Those left behind and betrayed by government. Those who hear gunshots outside their windows and those who cannot afford the bus fare or the rent. I want to walk worthy of every New Yorker — and I know that I cannot do so alone. 

It is only by coming together, by believing together, that we can build a city worthy of those who call it home. Since taking office four months ago today, City Hall has sought to do exactly that. We have placed working people at the heart of our work. On day eight of our administration, we secured a historic $1.2 billion-dollar partnership with Governor Hochul to make 3K universal and deliver free childcare for two-year-olds for the first time in our city’s history. Too many families have been forced to reckon with impossible choices as they wonder how they will be able to afford the most joyful moment in their lives — the arrival of a child. When we expanded childcare access, we began in places like Brownsville — because we want these resources to reach those who need it most. We have fought for those New Yorkers to be able to stay in their homes with the creation of a new Office of Deed Theft Prevention — because the promise of dignity and stability that a home accords should not be so easily broken. 

Black New Yorkers have had to work so hard to build generational wealth. We will not sit idly by and watch as it is stolen. We have fought for the New Yorkers targeted by the tax lien sale, so often forced out of this city by a predatory system that publishes the names of homeowners behind on their bills and prompts debt collectors to arrive at their doors. We have made the decision to pause the tax lien sale for six months because there are far better and more equitable paths towards stability. 

We have strived to use the power that government holds to improve the city that New Yorkers live in. We have paved more than 130,000 potholes, taken down thousands of feet of scaffolding, and will replace more than 6,700 catch basins. And we have worked to keep New Yorkers safe in our city — because you cannot walk worthy if you cannot walk safely. Since taking office, murders have hit record lows. We have taken more than 1,000 guns off our streets. The NYPD and our crisis management system have worked together to put us on pace for the lowest levels of shootings in our history. And yet I know that too many in this room are in mourning — that too many of your congregations sit heavy with grief, that too many of your communities have holes in the shape of young lives cruelly robbed by the scourge of gun violence. 

The progress we have achieved is only a reminder of how much more there is to be done — and how the crises of gun violence and mental health demand renewed ambition and commitment. We intend to deliver that with our new Office of Community Safety — and we intend to deliver it by working with each of you. And as we witness federal attacks on the right to the franchise, as those with great power seek to undo the progress won by the titans of the Civil Rights Movement, who marched in the rain, who marched alone, who marched even when set upon by fire hoses and those wielding billy clubs, we will chart a different course. We will ensure that our city remains a place where every New Yorker has a voice — where democracy is strengthened and expanded, not weakened and eroded. I will close with this. 

Here today, I feel a great sense of responsibility — the same that I know you feel each day. It is not just the responsibility of leadership. It is not just the responsibility of fulfilling the trust that New Yorkers have placed in each of us. It is the responsibility of walking worthy of those who look to us for guidance, and it is the responsibility of walking worthy of the great New Yorkers who came before — and the visions they held for our city. 

One of those men was Reverend Doctor Gardner Taylor. In moments where the path ahead feels daunting, or the obstacles impossible to overcome, I think of a sermon he gave. He said: “One day, the things that plague us will be no more and we shall walk in the glorious freedom of the Sons of God. I look for that day — when sickness and sorrow and pain will be felt and feared no more. I look for that day when men’s dislikes will be behind them. I look for that day when all of God’s children will walk together.” 

Let us look for and deliver that day, together. Let us make it easier to believe, together. Let us walk together, my friends — and let us walk worthy of this city we are so fortunate to serve. Thank you.

Mayor Mamdani Announces $20 Million Investment in Congestion Pricing Mitigation Funds to Address Childhood Asthma in the Bronx  

In Partnership with NYC DOT and the MTA, the NYC Health Department Will Invest in Community-Based Asthma Programs for Bronx Children and Families

Mayor Mamdani, Chancellor Samuels Announce Five New Public Schools Opening This Fall  

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar H. Samuels today announced the opening of five new schools for the 2026-27 academic year across the Bronx and Queens, marking a first step toward expanding access to high-quality education.

The new schools aim to increase seat capacity in neighborhoods with historical overcrowding and increase access to District 75 seats closer to home.

“Innovation, excellence and art are woven into the fabric of this city — they define what it means to be a New Yorker,” said Mayor Mamdani. “It’s time our schools reflect that reality. Our students deserve the best. This fall, we’ll deliver it with five new public schools that serve students of all ages, expand access for students with disabilities and put the arts at the center of education.”

“Our new schools reflect a bold commitment to expanding access to high-quality, rigorous learning experiences for every student, in every neighborhood,” said New York City Public Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels. “These schools are designed to meet the diverse needs of our communities, including creating seat capacity where needed, delivering innovative and culturally responsive instruction, and preparing students with the skills and confidence to succeed in college, careers, and beyond. This is how we build a stronger, more equitable future for New York City.”

The five new schools opening in September 2026 are:

Academy of Cultural Excellence

Serving Pre-K through fifth grade in District 30 in Long Island City, the Academy of Cultural Excellence centers student voice, community and academic rigor. Through project-based learning, arts integration and culturally responsive practices, students engage in real-world learning that builds critical thinking, creativity and confidence.

Bronx School of Arts & Exploration

Located in the Highbridge/South Crotona section of the Bronx, this District 75 school serves students with disabilities in kindergarten through eighth grade. Its arts-centered model integrates core academics with visual and performing arts, supporting communication, independence and academic growth through project-based learning and performance-based assessments.

The Bronx School of Hip-Hop

Serving grades nine through 12 in District 9 in the Claremont section of the Bronx, this high school uses hip-hop culture as a foundation for rigorous instruction. Students study emceeing, DJing, graffiti, breaking and knowledge of self while connecting academic content to real-world experiences. Coursework includes audio production, digital media and financial literacy, alongside the standard curriculum.

Queens Academy for Innovative Learning

The District 75 school in Astoria serves students with disabilities in grades six through 12. It emphasizes project-based learning, technology integration and individualized supports, including STEM exploration, community-based instruction and work-based learning to prepare students for life beyond the classroom.

West Q Elementary

Located in Woodside and serving kindergarten through fifth grade in District 24, West Q Elementary combines foundational literacy and math instruction with project-based learning. The school emphasizes hands-on investigation, community-connected projects and multilingualism as an asset for student success. 

Mayor Mamdani Joins Bergen Bike Bus to Announce Safety Improvements for Families Biking to School in Brooklyn 

City to develop street redesign featuring “bike boulevard” along Bergen Street and Dean Street

NEW YORK — On National Bike and Roll to School Day, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn rode with students and families from the Bergen Bike Bus to announce plans for a street safety redesign along the Bergen and Dean Street corridors from Court Street to East New York Avenue in Brooklyn.

The 10-mile east-west routes are key cycling corridors and home to the city’s most popular “bike bus,” a weekly caravan of parents and students traveling to school together.

The redesign will include a bike boulevard, a street design that prioritizes cyclists and pedestrians while maintaining local vehicle access. These corridors are designed to reduce traffic, calm speeds and create safer, more comfortable routes for riders of all ages.

“Bike boulevards give families the peace of mind they need to start the day right: by enjoying a safe, easy ride to school,” said Mayor Mamdani. “From protected bike lanes to safer crossings, these redesigns make our streets work for people and encourage our youngest neighbors to grow into lifelong riders. It was such a joy to ride with the families of the Bergen Bike Bus, who have for years strapped on their helmets and pulled out their bikes to show the need for better cycling infrastructure. Now, we’re building a city that meets that vision.”

“Streets that are the envy of the world are safe for people of all ages and abilities. Biking is a healthy and fun way for children to get exercise, and with the right street design, more students can feel safe and empowered to bike to school without the requirement of a large caravan of parents to protect them,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Flynn. “We are so grateful for the parents, volunteers and caregivers of the Bergen Bike Bus and look forward to developing safer Bergen and Dean streets that will benefit all New Yorkers using these corridors each day.”

“On this National Bike & Roll to School Day we, the Bergen Bike Bus, are overjoyed by Mayor Mamdani’s announcement. Thank you to the City leaders for hearing our weekly pleas, for riding along with us and for working to give kids the recognition they deserve as citizens and street users of NYC,” said the Bergen Bike Bus. “Biking to school is an active and fun way to start the day. Biking to school can be safe not just on a bike bus, but every day. Bergen is a bike route in name, and now DOT can begin to transform it into a true Bike Boulevard, where kids, parents and all road users feel comfortable and safe. Thank you to the kids, families and team of volunteer marshals who bring joy to Brooklyn every week and who demonstrate that biking to school benefits everyone, and thank you to the City leaders for supporting this version of free buses!”

Bike boulevards vary by neighborhood and may include protected bike lanes, sidewalk extensions, medians, traffic-calming measures and pedestrian improvements. Protected bike lanes have been shown to reduce deaths and serious injuries for all road users by 18.1% and for pedestrians by 29.2%.

The project will be implemented in phases. The City plans to release a design proposal later this year, with the first phase targeted for installation in 2027. NYC DOT has also launched a new online feedback portal to begin public engagement.

The redesign will be coordinated with several ongoing planning efforts, including the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan (AAMUP), the Flatbush Avenue busway, the Grand Army Plaza-Prospect Heights Public Realm Plan and the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) Brooklyn Bus Network Redesign.

Photo Credit: NYC DOT

The announcement is part of the Mamdani administration’s initiatives during National Bike Month. Earlier this week, NYC DOT launched a feedback portal for the City’s secure bike parking program and released the 2026 Bike Map.

“It’s critically important that our children and commuters have a safe way to get to and from school and work,” said Assembly Member Phara Souffrant Forrest. “I’m really looking forward to hearing from neighbors and working with DOT to bring about the safety improvements that are needed on Bergen and Dean Streets, which are both heavily used corridors through Prospect Heights and Crown Heights.”

“I applaud Mayor Zohran Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn for prioritizing safety for school children, pedestrians and cyclists,” said Assembly Member Latrice Walker. “I look forward to the safety improvements along Bergen and Dean Streets and the anticipated reduction in the number of crash-related injuries along the 10-mile corridor. And there’s the added benefit of reduced traffic. Everybody wins.”

“When we make our streets safer for cyclists, we make them safer for everyone,” said Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso. “The creation of a bike boulevard is a major win for our borough, especially for the thousands of Brooklynites who walk, bike and drive down Dean and Bergen every day. I’m grateful to Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT for leading this effort, and I encourage all Brooklynites to participate in the public engagement process to shape the future of this vital corridor.” 

“District 39 has some of the highest rates of cycling in Brooklyn, and corridors like Bergen and Dean are essential routes for neighbors, especially young riders, getting to school safely,” said Council Member Shahana Hanif. “This redesign is an investment in the health, safety and everyday mobility of our community. I thank Mayor Mamdani for his leadership on this effort, and I look forward to working with DOT and local stakeholders to ensure these improvements reflect the needs of District 39.”

“Getting around our city should be safe for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike,” said Council Member Sandy Nurse. “Traffic-calming measures prevent injuries and deaths while keeping us all moving. I commend Mayor Mamdani for investing in safety improvements on the Bergen and Dean Corridors as part of his larger plan of action to ensure safer streets.”

“My office has been deeply involved in the negotiations around the Atlantic Avenue Mixed-Use Plan, and the Bergen and Dean corridor redesign is a direct part of that plan coming to life,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “Protected bike lanes and safe infrastructure cannot be luxuries. They are what our riders, our kids, our seniors and everyday New Yorkers deserve on city streets. Council Member Crystal Hudson and I fought hard to make this happen through the Atlantic Avenue Mixed Use Plan negotiations, because redesigns like this one are exactly the kind of action this city has needed for far too long. Thanks to the Mamdani administration, we are finally moving.”

“Every day, thousands of students ride down Bergen and Dean Streets to get to and from school on streets that should be safer,” said Council Member Lincoln Restler. “I applaud DOT for creating bike boulevards on these critical arteries. Thanks to all the parents, caregivers and kids who’ve been fighting for safer passage for cyclists on Bergen and Dean Streets, and all across our community.”

“Today’s announcement is a great step forward for people who walk and bike in Brooklyn,” said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. “For years, our activists have been fighting for a bike boulevard along the critical east-west route of Bergen and Dean Streets, and we’re excited this critical project has finally reached the planning process. As always, we’ll keep organizing for the most ambitious possible redesign, so that seniors, parents and kids alike feel comfortable and safe biking on Bergen and Dean.”

“My husband Ron was killed while riding his bike in 2016,” said Robin Middleman, a member of Families for Safe Streets. “Ever since, I’ve been dedicated to fighting for better bicycle infrastructure and safe streets so no one else has to experience this pain. As a longtime resident of Central Brooklyn, I am eager to see this project enter the planning process, and excited to fight for the best, safest, most comprehensive upgrades to both Bergen and Dean Streets.”

“At Bike New York, we see every day how safe streets open the door for more people — especially kids — to ride with confidence,” said Ken Podziba, CEO of Bike New York. “New Yorkers deserve a connected network of safe, low-stress routes, and Bergen and Dean Streets are essential links for families traveling to school and for everyday riders. Designing these corridors as bike boulevards is a proven strategy to reduce traffic, calm speeds and prevent serious injuries. This is the kind of investment our city needs to make streets safer and more accessible for everyone. We thank Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for their leadership and look forward to seeing a design that reflects the needs of the community.”

“We couldn’t be more excited at the news that NYC DOT will be bringing bike boulevard treatments to Bergen and Dean Streets!” said Eric McClure, Executive Director of StreetsPAC. “The paired streets have long been one of Brooklyn’s key bike-commuting routes, and during many parts of the day, bikes are the predominant mode of travel along the corridor – especially on Wednesday mornings when dozens of kids and their chaperones ride the incredibly popular Bergen Bike Bus. We’re grateful to Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for prioritizing these crucial safety upgrades on Bergen and Dean.”

“If a street is safe enough for a child, it’s safe for everyone. That’s the standard New York should be building toward,” said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director of Open Plans. “Bergen and Dean Streets are vibrant corridors with kids and families biking to school together; this project is an opportunity to meet that energy with design that puts people first. Safer bike lanes, especially when paired with innovations like school streets, plaza blocks and low-traffic neighborhoods will allow even more NYC families to benefit from active mobility.”

NEW YORK — Today, Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) Commissioner Dina Levy announced the City has secured a record $31 million in penalties against the owners of Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers in the Bronx – the largest penalty ever obtained by HPD.

The City also secured the appointment of an independent Chief Restructuring Officer as part of the court judgements, froze over $900,000 from the owners’ bank accounts, and negotiated to release those funds to the Chief Restructuring Officer to make sure critical repairs are completed for residents across nearly 500 apartments.

The Mamdani administration is also calling on the Federal National Mortgage Association, Fannie Mae, which has initiated foreclosure proceedings on the buildings, to work with HPD and tenants to identify a preservation buyer who will serve as a responsible, long-term steward of these homes. Originally built as stable, middle-income housing, the buildings have fallen into neglect.

“For years, tenants at Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers have been forced to live with vermin infestations, chronic elevator outages and a lack of heat and hot water – while their landlords met their suffering with silence. Today, that neglect is finally met with consequences,” said Mayor Mamdani. “This administration secured the largest penalty in HPD’s history because no landlord is above the law. But penalties alone are not enough. We are taking control of the situation to make sure repairs are made and conditions are permanently improved. Every New Yorker deserve safe, dignified housing.”

“Every tenant in New York City has the right to a safe and well-maintained home — but for the residents of Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers, that right has been out of reach for too long. Our administration will use every tool at our disposal to deliver repairs and better management for the tenants of these buildings,” said Leila Bozorg, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Planning. “I’m inspired by the organized tenants and grateful to the teams at HPD, the Legal Aid Society and Our Bronx for fighting for accountability and improvements.”

“In the Mamdani administration, the Mayor of New York City is on tenants’ side. This judgement is not just a step forward for the tenants of these buildings — it is a sign of a new era of leadership, where the City works hand-in-hand with organized tenants to deliver a fairer city for all New Yorkers,” said Cea Weaver, Director of the Mayor’s Office to Protect Tenants.

“Today marks the beginning of a new chapter in a long and difficult history for these buildings and these tenants,” said Dina Levy, HPD Commissioner. “This is a story I know well: I organized tenants here back in 2009, when they were first coming out of Mitchell-Lama. Since then, tenants have been subject to decades of mistreatment, but that comes to an end today: Thanks to aggressive litigation by HPD’s Anti-Harassment Unit, we now have a record $31m judgement against the owners. That gives us leverage in bankruptcy proceedings, which we’ll use to deliver better outcomes for residents.”

Tenants in these buildings have reported years of neglect, including persistent elevator outages, lack of heat and hot water, vermin infestation, and hundreds of unresolved violations. The owners, Karan Singh and Rajmattie Persaud, have been included on the Public Advocate’s Worst Landlords List.

The litigation, first filed in 2024, was brought by the Anti-Harassment Unit within HPD’s Housing Litigation Division.

“Our City’s affordable housing crisis demands that we preserve affordable housing and make sure rent-paying tenants live in safe and dignified living conditions. Providing habitable housing to New Yorkers is not an investment opportunity, it is a legal obligation,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “My team has been advocating on behalf of the tenants at Fordham Towers for the last decade, so I am grateful to the Mamdani administration and HPD for keeping their promise to hold bad landlords accountable by imposing a $31 million fine on some of the Worst Landlords in our city and for enacting a plan to ensure that repairs in these buildings are completed.”

“The Mayor’s announcement of a $31 million penalty marks a critical step in holding negligent landlords accountable. For too long, residents of Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers have been forced to live in unsafe and unacceptable conditions that fall far below basic standards of housing. What was once promised as affordable, quality housing has instead become a clear example of neglect. I commend Mayor Mamdani and his administration for taking this bold enforcement action, along with appointing of a Chief Restructuring Officer. These are necessary steps to ensure repairs are completed and tenants are protected across New York City,” said State Senator Luis R. Sepúlveda. “In the same way, I am championing the Anti Slumlord Act (S9332) which stops landlords with dangerous housing violations from buying more buildings. It helps protect tenants and hold negligent landlords accountable. No landlord is above the law, and no tenant should have to endure living in deplorable housing conditions. Housing is a fundamental right, and I will continue to fight, along my colleagues at all levels of government, to ensure every New Yorker has access to safe, stable, and dignified housing.”

“For years, tenants at Robert Fulton Terrace and Fordham Towers have organized with Our Bronx to document dangerous conditions, build tenant leadership, and demand the safe, stable homes they deserve. Today’s record penalty is a powerful reminder that when tenants are organized, their experiences cannot be dismissed and negligent ownership can be held accountable. We thank Mayor Mamdani, HPD, and the Anti-Harassment Unit for holding these landlords accountable, and urge Fannie Mae to work with HPD and tenants to secure a responsible preservation buyer who will repair these buildings, keep them affordable, and respect the leadership of the residents who have fought to protect their homes,” said Sandra Lobo, Executive Director, Our Bronx.

“The conditions at Fordham and Fulton Tower—chronic heat and hot water outages, broken elevators, infestations, and nearly 2,000 violations—are unacceptable,” said Zoe Kheyman, Staff Attorney in the Housing Justice Unit – Group Advocacy at The Legal Aid Society. “Our clients have pursued every remedy available, yet the landlord has failed to act. We welcome the City’s effort to transfer ownership to a responsible party and will continue fighting to ensure residents receive the safe, dignified housing they deserve.” 

NEW YORK — Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani today announced a $12 million investment to expand access to life-saving recovery services for New Yorkers at risk of overdose. The funding will support the certification and employment of peer specialists — people with a history of substance-use disorder who help others in recovery — and strengthen direct outreach efforts across the five boroughs. Over four years, the investment is expected to create 500 new peer specialist positions through community-based organizations citywide.   

“Every New Yorker deserves access to care, dignity and support, no matter where they are in their recovery journey. This $12 million investment will help connect New Yorkers to life-saving services while creating hundreds of good-paying jobs rooted in lived experience and community trust,” said Mayor Mamdani. “Peer specialists understand what recovery looks like because they’ve lived it themselves, and their leadership will help more New Yorkers find care, stay connected and build stable futures. During Mental Health Awareness Month we are reminded that recovery is not linear and there is no wrong door to seek help.”   

“Every overdose is preventable, and the City must continue investing in the people and programs that save lives,” said Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services Dr. Helen Arteaga. “This $12 million investment from the Opioid Settlement Fund will expand peer outreach and strengthen the recovery workforce across New York City. By helping more New Yorkers access care and support, this funding moves us closer to our HealthyNYC goal of reducing overdose deaths by 25% by 2030.” 

“Meeting people where they are in their recovery is how we build trust to support sustained engagement,” said NYC Health Commissioner Dr. Alister Martin. “This investment puts more resources in the hands of trusted messengers delivering the direct services New Yorkers with substance use disorder desperately need. This helps us save lives while growing career pathways for people who have experience with substance use themselves, turning their pain into purpose.”  

The City will fund recovery centers and peer-led outreach programs operated by Community Health Action of Staten Island, Exponents, Fortune Society, Odyssey House, Phoenix House, Let’s Talk Safety and Samaritan Daytop Village. The funding will support staffing, expand mobile outreach capabilities and strengthen workforce development opportunities for peer specialists.   

Peer specialists use their lived experience and professional training to help people access recovery resources, develop coping skills and navigate moments of crisis. Research shows peer-led behavioral health programs can increase engagement in care, strengthen trust and improve recovery outcomes. The investment will also support outreach vans, peer certification training and scholarships, and expand enrollment in recovery services.  

The announcement builds on the City’s broader HealthyNYC initiative, which aims to reduce overdose deaths by 25% by 2030 and increase life expectancy for New Yorkers. It also continues the City’s efforts to direct opioid settlement funds to community-based prevention, treatment, harm reduction and recovery programs.   

Previous investments have included expanded hours and services at OnPoint NYC, increased access to treatment, enhancements to the Health Department’s nonfatal overdose response program, and supporting harm reduction, and expanded harm reduction and recovery services on Staten Island.    

In fiscal year 2025, the City allocated $41 million in opioid settlement funds to support substance use services across City agencies.  

Overdose deaths continue to affect communities across New York City, though recent data show significant progress. New provisional data from January through September 2025 show overdose deaths remained stable following a major decline in 2024. The City recorded 2,192 overdose deaths in 2024, down from 3,056 deaths in 2023, marking the first substantial decline in nearly a decade. Rates remain highest among Black and Latino New Yorkers, residents of high-poverty neighborhoods, and adults ages 55 to 64.   

“New Yorkers struggling with substance use need trusted, accessible pathways to care, especially those living on our streets,” said Council Member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the Committee on Health. “This $12 million investment in peer outreach directs opioid settlement funds — secured from the companies that fueled this crisis — into community-based organizations doing critical, on-the-ground work. I applaud Mayor Mamdani for advancing this investment and ensuring these resources are in the hands of those best equipped to reach our most vulnerable neighbors.”  

“Today we are celebrating investments that will undoubtedly save lives. We are investing in people. In peers – the workers with lived experience – who provide a level of support and ongoing healthy outcomes to those struggling with substance use disorder that only they can. We are caring for, not criminalizing, people who use drugs for a myriad of reasons – to cope with pain, disconnection, societal failure and so much more,” said Council Member Tiffany Cabán. “Today, New York and the many incredible harm reduction organizations in our city are leading the way in scaling up community-based treatment and keeping our loved ones alive.”  

“I am proud that Mayor Mamdani and his administration have secured a historic $12 million from an opioid settlement to be reinvested directly into community-based recovery services, including Phoenix House in our district,” said Council Member Chi Ossé. “I was glad to have secured $70,000 for Phoenix House last fiscal year, reflecting an ongoing commitment to strengthening this vital institution. This investment reflects a broader commitment to using settlement funds to support long-standing organizations that provide essential substance use treatment and recovery services. Phoenix House, the oldest recovery center in New York City, stands as a central recipient of this funding, underscoring the city’s commitment to sustained, life-saving recovery infrastructure. This is proof, yet again, that supporting substance use recovery and getting people into care is public safety in action.” 

“With support from our city partners, Phoenix House is thrilled to launch our first-ever Neighborhood Outreach and Wellness (NOW) mobile unit to expand access to critical mental health services, bring care directly into neighborhoods and strengthen trust through peer-led support. We are especially proud to grow our peer workforce, which creates pathways for individuals with lived experience to lead, connect and guide others on their recovery journeys. We are grateful to the Health Department for their partnership and commitment to advancing community-based care that is accessible, equitable, and rooted in recovery,” said Ann-Marie Foster, FACHE, Phoenix House President & CEO.  

“Community Health Action is grateful to the Department of Health and the Mayor’s office for making it possible for Staten Islanders in recovery to find reliable and meaningful work through these programs. Peers combine training with their own lived experiences to help people who are seeking change. Community-based organizations like ours are uniquely positioned to fill public health and safety gaps while also meeting the needs of an emerging peer workforce. The city’s investment will improve engagement in care and support long-term stability.” Ericker Onaga, Executive Director of Community Health Action of Staten Island  

“We commend this investment and the City’s continued commitment to addressing the overdose crisis. Peer specialists are essential to recovery because they understand firsthand what people are going through and can build trust in ways others can’t,” said Mitchell Netburn, President and CEO of Samaritan Daytop Village. “At Samaritan Daytop Village, our peers are on the frontlines of our efforts to help people begin and stay on their recovery journey. We can’t do this work without the support of our peers. Expanding this workforce means reaching more New Yorkers, strengthening communities, and saving lives across our city.” 

“The Fortune Society is proud to partner in this investment, which strengthens the peer workforce and connects more New Yorkers to healing and long-term recovery,” said Rob DeLeon, Interim President and CEO of The Fortune Society. “This funding recognizes the essential role peers play in helping people access recovery support and build stable, healthy lives. Peers bring a level of trust and lived experience that can make the difference between isolation and engagement, and this funding will help us expand their life-saving work across our communities.” 

New Yorkers seeking mental health or substance use support can call or text 988 at any time to with trained counselors and access confidential referrals to services and resources.  

Mayor Mamdani, HPD Kick Off Public Engagement Process for New Affordable Housing and Community Services in Bedford-Stuyvesant   

“Fulton-Howard West” marks first public site engagement launched under the Mamdani administration

Project will deliver 100% affordable housing alongside new community and social service space