NEW YORK (1010 WINS) — Mayor Eric Adams spoke to 1010 WINS’ Susan Richards on Friday to discuss some of the major issues facing New York City.
Smoke from wildfires in Canada again engulfed the city Thursday evening, and the poor air quality should linger at least through Friday night. Meteorologists at AccuWeather predicted conditions should start to clear Sunday night into Monday.
“We are really hoping that we can get below 150 [Air Quality Index], and if we don't, we will do an analysis with OEM and the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Vasan to send out appropriate warnings as soon as we get them,” said Adams. “Normally there's a 24-hour window where we can predict what is taking place. It's challenging because we're dealing with smoke and the wind and the weather and how it moves.”
Adams recommended New Yorkers sign up for the Notify NYC app or check up-to-date air conditions at AirNow.gov.
As of Friday afternoon, the AQI was hovering around 170 — a dangerous level in which people with breathing problems, young children and the elderly should stay inside to avoid exposure.
Adams also addressed housing initiatives in the $107 billion budget deal struck with the New York City Council earlier this week.
“Although we continue to make substantial investments here — some of the largest investments in housing in decades, everything from NYCHA to affordable units — we've had some great victories with many projects out in Queens, Innovation Queens, Willis Point in the Bronx, and Bruckner. But we do need Albany to look at a real aggressive housing plan so we could get to the 500,000 units of housing we want, and in this budget we continue to invest in affordable housing for the future,” said Adams.
As the shelter system caters to a record 100,000 people, Adams also spoke on what the city needs to support the tens of thousands of asylum seekers who have arrived in New York City.
“We're not receiving the financial support, I believe, on the federal level, and really it comes down to one thing, the right to work,” said Adams. “When I speak to migrants and asylum-seekers, they say the same thing. They don't want anything free from our city, housing, clothing or food. They want to work, and we should allow them to do so. I think nothing is more anti-American Dream than not having the right to be employed.”
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