NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Mayor Eric Adams, speaking at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem during his fourth State of the City address, announced plans to create 100,000 new housing units in Manhattan and invest $650 million to address homelessness and mental health challenges.
“In the past year alone, our administration passed historic housing legislation, shattered the record for the most jobs in city history, drove major crimes down, and did so much more to build a family-friendly city. As a result of all these efforts, the state of our city is strong,” Adams said. “But there is no denying that many New Yorkers — especially our families — are still anxious about the future. We have to make sure that the greatest city in the world is also the greatest place to raise a family.
Adams announced “The Manhattan Plan,” a project to unlock housing development sites across Manhattan, from Inwood to the Financial District. The plan aims to create 100,000 new homes over the next decade, increasing Manhattan’s total housing units to 1 million. Key components of the plan include a comprehensive review of zoning regulations to identify new housing opportunities, the implementation of the Midtown South Mixed-Use Plan, and the development of additional public sites.
Adams also announced a $650 million investment to combat homelessness which includes the addition of 900 new Safe Haven beds designed to offer flexible housing options for unsheltered individuals. The city also plans to open a specialized facility to support individuals with severe mental illness, providing psychiatric care, substance abuse treatment, and pathways to permanent housing.
He also proposed a $163 million expansion of youth mentorship, career readiness, and college preparation programs, which would reach 8,000 at-risk participants. To address financial literacy, Adams committed to ensuring every NYC public school student learns money management by 2030, supported by school-based financial educators and opportunities for hands-on banking experience.
On the public safety front, Adams announced a $9 million renovation of Brigadier General Charles Young Field in Harlem to expand youth sports programming. The mayor also talked about plans to improve public spaces by adding a second cleaning shift at 100 city parks and extending restroom hours.
The annual speech gives the mayor a platform to talk about his administration's accomplishments and his goals and visions for the year ahead.
The speech comes as the city faces several significant challenges, including the migrant and housing crises, concerns about crime, and lingering pandemic-related issues.
It also comes as Adams faces an federal corruption trial, set to start in April, as well as the June mayoral primary ahead of the fall election. Adams pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing, and said he intends to run for a second term.
Adams has made public safety a focus of his mayoralty; earlier this week, he and the NYPD commissioner touted a drop in crime last year. He's also focused heavily on housing and affordability with his "City of Yes" zoning overhaul and a proposal to eliminate city income taxes for the lowest wage earners.