– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a major evolution of Behavioral Health Emergency Assistance Response Division (B-HEARD) — the city’s health-led response to 911 mental health calls — that will shift the focus even further towards a health-first response by streamlining management to be fully operated and managed by NYC Health + Hospitals in the coming months. As part of the transition, Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) emergency medical technicians (EMTs) previously assigned to B-HEARD will be reassigned to other emergency response units as part of the city’s efforts to improve ambulance response times in cases of emergencies. This change will preserve EMTs for the most critical medical emergency responses while enabling B-HEARD to continue featuring medical and mental health professionals for nonviolent mental health 911 calls. After the transition, B-HEARD will continue to send out response teams to nonviolent 911 mental health calls with medical and mental health professionals. The new model is expected to take effect in the spring of 2026. Today’s announcement further builds on Mayor Adams’ commitment to supporting New Yorkers with serious mental illness and treating the city’s mental health crisis as a public health issue.
“Today, we are proud to announce a new model for our city’s response to 911 mental health calls that will be fully operated by NYC Health + Hospitals ,” said Mayor Adams. “This new model for B-HEARD will allow our FDNY EMTs the opportunity to focus further on other emergency response units as part of our city’s efforts to improve ambulance response times and use our resources more efficiently, while still addressing mental health emergencies we continue to see playing out in our city. From day one, our administration’s goal has been to keep New Yorkers safe and to help those struggling with severe mental illness; doing this means we must provide treatment and support to those in crises in the most efficient and compassionate way possible. We are building a culture of compassion in the name of public safety, public health, and the public interest, and we are proud to be delivering just that.”
“NYC Health + Hospitals is proud to be the largest provider of behavioral health services in New York City, and our commitment to the city’s innovative B-HEARD program is unwavering,” said NYC Health + Hospitals President and CEO Mitchell Katz, MD. “We are grateful to our outstanding partners in the program’s first iteration, and we look forward to continuing its evolution as we serve New Yorkers in mental health crisis.”
Launched in 2021, B-HEARD was created as an interagency collaboration between the FDNY and NYC Health + Hospitals with oversight from the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health (OCMH). During its initial years of operation, B-HEARD partnered EMTs and mental health clinicians to respond as a team to 911 mental health calls without violence or weapons as the primary concern.
Over the life of the program — between its launch in 2021 through June 2025 — B-HEARD teams have responded to nearly 35,000 mental health 911 calls. Of the patients who received a mental health assessment by a NYC Health + Hospitals clinician, 43 percent were served in the community instead of being transported to a hospital emergency department. B-HEARD teams work to understand each individual’s needs, de-escalate situations, and, whenever possible, connect with family members and the individual’s existing clinicians to determine the best path forward. The program achieved an overwhelming patient-satisfaction rate with 96 percent of survey respondents reporting B-HEARD helped them and 94 percent agreeing that the B-HEARD response was more appropriate for their needs than the traditional emergency response they had previously received. Each B-HEARD response reflects New York City’s commitment to responding to the mental health crisis with the most appropriate care and reducing unnecessary use of a hospital’s emergency department and of police resources.
NYC Health + Hospitals is the largest provider of behavioral health in New York City. The system provides over 60 percent of behavioral health services citywide, serving over 78,000 patients annually across emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
Commitment to Mental Health
In 2023, Mayor Adams announced a sweeping mental health agenda, “Care, Community, Action: A Mental Health Plan for New York City,” with $20 million in new commitments that invested in, among other initiatives, an online hub to connect New Yorkers with serious mental illness to care, as well as a substantial expansion of the clubhouse program.
Alongside the Adams administration’s focus on mental health, Mayor Adams also launched “HealthyNYC” in November 2023, an ambitious plan to extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers by, among other things, reducing the impact of deaths related to mental health, like overdoses, suicide, and homicides, by 2030. Additionally, HealthyNYC expands access to culturally responsive mental health care and social support services, including early intervention for communities of color and LGBTQIA+ youth, and helps address the impact of social media on youth mental health and suicidal ideation to reduce suicide deaths.
The announcement builds on the work of the Adams administration in addressing the crises of severe mental illness on New York City streets. In August 2025, Mayor Adams launched the “End the Culture of Anything Goes” campaign to highlight the work the administration has done to change the culture and laws that prevented people with severe mental illness from getting the help they needed while making the investments necessary to support outreach, harm reduction, wraparound services, and housing to make lasting impacts in lives and communities. As part of this campaign, Mayor Adams made a series of announcements promoting the administration’s efforts to help New Yorkers struggling with severe mental illness and substance addiction while simultaneously addressing quality of life and public safety on New York City streets, including:
An expansion of the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD’s) Quality of Life Division, or “Q-Teams,” announced earlier this year, to every precinct and all housing commands citywide. Q-Teams focus on tackling daily issues that impact New Yorkers’ sense of safety and well-being, including cracking down on illegal mopeds, towing abandoned vehicles, cleaning up encampments, addressing outdoor drug use, responding to noise complaints, and more.
Opening of 13 newly contracted clubhouses — the city’s first procurement of clubhouses in nearly 30 years — to support people with severe mental illness thanks to a $30 million investment by the Adams administration.
Launching the city’s first-ever Involuntary Transports Dashboard, which allows New Yorkers to track trends in involuntary transports and better understand how the city connects individuals with emergency psychiatric care, while simultaneously upholding the administration’s commitment to transparency.
Opening the Bridge to Home facility, a new, innovative support model designed to help patients living with severe mental illness who are ready to be discharged from the hospital but do not have a place to go.
Opening two additional Extended Care Units in the city’s public hospitals, where patients can stay for up to 120 days after being discharged from an inpatient psychiatric unit, receive psychopharmacological treatment, and pursue rehabilitative activities.
Strong Fiscal Management
In the lead up to the upcoming November 2025 Financial Plan Update, Mayor Adams recently announced a new investment that will increase the uniformed headcount of the NYPD by 5,000 officers, increasing the total number of officers to 40,000 — the highest level in 20 years — by Fiscal Year (FY) 2029. Mayor Adams is making an investment of $17.8 million in the upcoming fiscal year that will increase to $315.8 million by FY 2029 to support the phased-in hiring of the additional 5,000 officers by July 2028.
Today’s announcement follows Mayor Adams’ long history of strong fiscal management, including delivering an on-time, balanced, and fiscally-responsible $115.9 billion Adopted Budget earlier this year, which built on the FY 2026 Executive Budget, often called the “Best Budget Ever.” The Executive Budget doubled down on Mayor Adams’ commitment to make New York City the best place to raise a family by, among other things, investing in “After-School for All,” a $755-million plan to deliver universal after-school programming to families of children in kindergarten through eighth grade; baselining funding for 3-K citywide expansion and special education pre-K to build on the administration’s work to dramatically expand access to early childhood education; investing over $400 million to fully fund the transformation of Fifth Avenue in Manhattan into a world-class, pedestrian-centered boulevard; and revitalizing “The Arches,” the public space on the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge. The FY 2026 Adopted Budget was also the first to implement Mayor Adams’ landmark “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” plan, which abolishes and cuts New York City’s personal income tax for filers with dependents living at or below 150 percent of the federal poverty line. Because of this plan — which the Adams administration successfully fought to pass in Albany this budget cycle — $63 million will go back into the pockets of over 582,000 low-income New York filers, including their dependents, helping make New York City more affordable for working-class families.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). The Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) time limit rules for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants are in effect as of November 2025. Due to federal law changes, New York State’s waiver of work requirements for certain able-bodied adults without dependent children (ABAWD) will end as of November 2025. As a result of this federal action, as of November 2025, those subject to ABAWD time limit – including new groups of individuals subject to these rules – must comply with certain work requirements to keep SNAP benefits for more than 3 months. The information below explains who is subject to these work requirements and how they can meet the requirement to maintain SNAP benefits. SNAP recipients will be notified by their local social services district if they are subject to these requirements. If you believe you should be exempt from these requirements based on program rules or if you are meeting the work requirement, you should inform your local district worker.
Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) Work Rules
Who is an ABAWD?
An ABAWD is a person who is:
Aged 18 to 64,
Not living with a child under 14, and
Able to work.
Does everyone need to follow the ABAWD work rules?
No. You might not have to follow the ABAWD work rules, if:
You are younger than age 18, or age 65 or older,
Someone in your household is younger than age 14,
You receive disability benefits from a public or private source, such as Veterans Affairs or New York State disability benefits,
You are pregnant,
You are unable to work at least 80 hours per month because of a physical or mental health reason,
You are an Indian, Urban Indian, California Indian, or other Indian eligible for the Indian Health Services, or
You are excused from the General SNAP Work Rules because you are:
A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
Taking care of an incapacitated person,
Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
Already working at least 30 hours per week,
Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
An SSI applicant or recipient.
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the ABAWD rules.What is the ABAWD time limit?
If you are an ABAWD, you must meet the ABAWD work rules to continue receiving SNAP benefits for more than 3 months in a 3-year period. This is also known as the ABAWD time limit. Once you use up the 3 months and you are not meeting the ABAWD work rules, you will lose your SNAP benefits. In New York, the current 3-year period started on October 1, 2023, and will end on September 30, 2026.How can you meet the ABAWD work rules?
Paid or unpaid work for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month)Examples include:
Having a job where you work at least 20 hours per week or earn at least $217.50 per week, even if you work less than 20 hours per week.
Doing in-kind work by exchanging your services for something other than money for at least 80 hours per month (for example, doing building maintenance in exchange for a reduction in rent).
Learn job skills, approved by the social services district for 20 hours per week (80 hours per month), that can help you earn more money.Examples include:
Doing job searches, workshops on resumé writing, or other training approved by your local district. Some of these activities can be done online at websites like JobZone and Virtual Career Center.
Job skills training programs, English language instruction, or educational activities – including college courses, certifications, or credential programs – that help you prepare for work.
Community Service/Volunteer
The number of hours you would need to participate in community service or volunteer work is based on your SNAP benefit divided by the state minimum wage. For example, if you get $300 in SNAP and the state minimum wage in your area is $16.50, then you have to complete 18 hours of community service or volunteer work each month. ($300 ÷ $16.50 = 18 hours).
Volunteer or do a Work Experience Program assignment with local nonprofit or public service organizations (such as food pantries, parks, or libraries).
Keep Your SNAP Benefits Fact Sheet – This flyer helps SNAP recipients and organizations that work with them. It raises awareness and promotes compliance with ABAWD work rules.
ABAWD Medical Statement — This form will help SNAP recipients document that they are exempt from the ABAWD time limit because of a physical or mental health reason, pregnancy, or participation in substance use treatment
Monthly WIOA Job Search Activity Record — Print Ready — This form will help ABAWDs keep track of their job search activities under WIOA (Use this form if you are completing the record by hand.)
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you are already doing one of these things. Also, if your work hours including paid and unpaid work drop below 80 hours per month, you must let the local district know within 10 days after the end of the month.
Remember: Tell your local district if you earn more than $217.50/week before taxes (even if it is less than 20 hours/week of work). If you do, you are exempt from the ABAWD work rules.What if you have a good reason for not following these ABAWD work rules?
You may receive SNAP benefits beyond the 3-month time limit if you have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or you show that you should be excused from following the ABAWD work rules because you meet one or more of the conditions to be excused. Good cause reasons for not following the rules include issues that a person cannot control, such as getting sick or having a household emergency. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. If you claim to have a good cause reason for not following the ABAWD work rules or believe you should be excused from following the rules, you must provide proof if the district asks you to do so. If you believe that you have a good cause reason for not meeting the ABAWD rules, you should call the Local District Contact Number to provide proof.If you lose your SNAP benefits, how can you get them back?
If you lose your SNAP benefits, because you did not meet the ABAWD work rules, you should call your Local District Contact Number. The district will explain what you need to do to start getting SNAP benefits again. The district must offer you help in meeting the ABAWD work rules to start receiving SNAP benefits again.
General Work Rules for SNAP Recipients
Some people getting SNAP age 16 to 59 must follow the general SNAP work rules. Some adults getting SNAP age 18 to age 64 must also meet the Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents (ABAWD) rules. SNAP work rules and ABAWD rules can be met by participating in SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) work activities. Many people do not have to meet the SNAP work rules because they are excused. Below, you can learn if you are excused from the general SNAP work rules and the ABAWD rules or how to meet them if you are not excused.
General SNAP Work Rules
What do you need to do to follow the general SNAP work rules?
You must follow these general SNAP work rules to keep your SNAP benefits:
Accept any job offer you receive, unless there is a good reason you can’t.
If you have a job, don’t quit your job or choose to work less than 30 hours each week without having a good reason, such as getting sick, being discriminated against, or not getting paid.Note: You will not lose your SNAP benefits if your hours fall below 30 hours per week and you are still earning $217.50 per week (30 times the federal minimum wage).
Tell us about your job and how much you are working.
Participate in SNAP E&T work activities if assigned by the district.
Does everyone need to follow these General SNAP Work Rules?
No. You may not have to follow these rules if you are:
Younger than age 16, or age 60 years or older (Please read the important note below about people aged 60 to 64),
A 16 or 17-year-old who is not the head of the household or who is in school or in an employment program at least half-time,
Unable to work because of a mental or physical health reason,
Taking care of a child younger than age 6,
Taking care of an incapacitated person,
Meeting the work rules under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program,
Receiving or applying for unemployment benefits,
Participating in a drug or alcohol addiction treatment program,
Enrolled in a school, training program, or college at least half-time (students may be subject to other eligibility rules),
Already working at least 30 hours per week,
Already earning $217.50 (30 times the federal minimum wage) or more per week, OR
An SSI applicant or recipient.
Important: If you are between 60 and 64, you don’t have to follow the general SNAP work rules. However, if none of the other conditions listed above apply to you, you may still have to follow the ABAWD rules. Find out if you are excused from the ABAWD rules.What if you think you should be excused from the general SNAP work rules?
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household should be excused from following the work rules.What if you have a good cause reason for not following the general SNAP work rules?
Good cause reasons for not following the general SNAP work rules include things that you cannot control such as getting sick, facing a household emergency, or not having childcare. These are some examples of good cause reasons but there are others, too. You must provide proof of any good cause reason when asked by the local district. If you believe you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules, you must also provide proof, if asked by the district. For example, the district might ask for a statement from your doctor or other documents showing you had a good cause reason for not following the rules or should be excused.
Call your Local District Contact Number as soon as possible if you think you or someone in your household has a good cause reason for not following the work rules.
SNAP Employment & Training (SNAP E&T) Assignments
What are SNAP E&T assignments?
The SNAP E&T program can help you and people in your household gain skills and find work. If you are assigned to SNAP E&T, you may be required to participate in supervised job search, job readiness activities, work experience, job skills training, vocational training, educational training, or other work activities. SNAP E&T participants receive case management services to help them reach their employment goals. If the district assigns you or someone in your household to participate in SNAP E&T, they cannot ask you to participate in work activities and/or employment to meet the SNAP work rules for more than 30 hours per week (no more than 120 hours per month). A person may choose to participate in work activities for more than 30 hours per week but cannot be required to do so.
Note: People who are also receiving Temporary Assistance (TA) benefits may be required to participate in work activities for up to 40 hours per week. The assigned work activity for these people is generally a combined TA and SNAP work assignment. A person who receives TA and SNAP and does not comply with assigned work activities willfully and without a good cause reason may be subject to a TA work sanction. However, if the person participates in the assigned work activities for at least 30 hours per week (120 hours per month), the household’s SNAP benefits will not be affected.What if you have costs from participating in the SNAP E&T program?
Your local district will pay costs for you or people in your household that are necessary and reasonable to participate in a SNAP E&T activity. These costs may include:
Transportation
Childcare
Personal safety items or equipment
Other reasonable required costs, such as tools, books, and uniforms
If the district cannot pay your costs to participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be excused from participating. If the district tells you or someone in your household that you must participate in a SNAP E&T work activity, the person must participate. If you do not participate in the SNAP E&T assignment or you quit a job willfully and without a good cause reason, you may lose your SNAP benefits.What happens if you don’t follow these general SNAP work rules?
You may lose your SNAP benefits if you don’t follow these work rules and you don’t have a good cause reason. If you do not follow the general SNAP work rules or you do not participate in a SNAP E&T assignment, you will be sent a Conciliation Notification. You will be offered a meeting with the district to explain why you did not follow the rules.
If you receive a Conciliation Notification, you must contact the local district by the date on the Conciliation Notification to explain why you did not follow the work rules. If the district decides you had a good cause reason, your household’s SNAP benefits will stay the same. If you did not have a good cause reason, the district will offer you a chance to participate in the same activity you did not complete in order to not lose SNAP benefits. If the district decides that the same activity is not available or is no longer a good fit for you, you may be asked to complete another activity. If you do not complete the activity or prove they had a good cause reason, your household’s SNAP benefits may go down or stop.How long will you lose your SNAP benefits if you don’t follow these general SNAP work rules or do not complete a SNAP E&T assignment?
The first time you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for one month.
The second time you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for three months.
The third time, and any additional time after that, you do not follow these rules, you can’t get SNAP benefits for six months.
If you lose your SNAP benefits because you did not follow the general SNAP work rules or did not complete a SNAP E&T assignment, you must be allowed to start receiving SNAP benefits before the end of the time period noted above if you prove you should be excused from following the general SNAP work rules.Where can you find additional resources?
New York City recorded 2,192 overdose deaths in 2024, down 28% from 3,056 in 2023—the first substantial drop after nearly 10 years of increases, Mayor Eric Adams and DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse said Tuesday. Declines were seen across all five boroughs, with Staten Island down about 49%. Black and Latino New Yorkers saw 29% reductions yet still died at roughly twice the rate of white residents, and the Bronx remains the hardest-hit borough. City, state, and federal investments—backed by nearly $190 million in opioid-settlement funds to date and projected to reach $550 million by 2041—have expanded prevention, treatment, and harm-reduction services, including Overdose Prevention Centers and wider access to methadone and buprenorphine. The city budgeted $41 million in FY2025 for overdose response. New Yorkers can call or text 988 for 24/7 support.
Mayor Adams Announces Opioid Overdose Deaths in City Drop Significantly for First Time in Past Decade
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse today announced new data released by DOHMH that shows a significant decrease in overdose deaths in New York City in 2024 — marking the first substantial decrease following a nearly 10-year period of increasing overdose deaths in the five boroughs. There were 2,192 deaths last year, down from 3,056 in 2023, mirroring national trends, and overdose deaths decreased almost universally across demographic groups and neighborhoods in 2024. Additionally, residents of all five boroughs saw decreases in overdose deaths and, for the first time since 2018, overdose deaths decreased among Black and Latino New Yorkers; however, significant racial and geographic inequities persist.
“The data we are releasing today represents a major shift in a decades-long overdose crises that has claimed the lives of so many New Yorkers and Americans across the nation. Progress on reducing opioid overdoses will never make up for the families that have been devastated and the communities torn apart by these drugs, but it gives us hope that brighter days are ahead,” said Mayor Adams. “I am proud of the work our administration has done to stay focused on this issue by pursuing litigation and using funds from opioid settlements proactively, strategically, and forcefully to support those who are struggling. We will continue to make the right investments in programs and treatments that help keep New Yorkers safe and healthy.”
“While we are finally seeing the needle move on fatal overdoses across the city, too many New Yorkers still continue to die from preventable deaths,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “As city leaders, we must be steadfast in our support of programs that save lives, while we continue to address historic disinvestment and other forms of structural racism. I am grateful for the tireless dedication of advocates, local providers, Health Department staff, and partners inside and outside government as we work to keep our communities and neighbors safe and connected to care.”
Despite seeing promising decreases, inequities in overdose deaths still persist in New York City. Black and Latino New Yorkers each saw a 29 percent reduction in overdose deaths but died at twice the rate of their white counterparts. While the rate of fatal overdose decreased 24 percent among Bronx residents, the borough continues to have the highest rate of overdose deaths — at more than double the rate of Manhattan, the borough with the second-highest rate. The rate of overdose deaths among Staten Island residents decreased by about 49 percent. Residents of Hunts Point-Mott Haven, Highbridge-Morrisania, Crotona-Tremont, East Harlem, and Fordham-Bronx Park continued to bear the greatest burden of overdose deaths in 2024.
To address the continued need for comprehensive services, the city continues to invest in evidence-based practices and partner with local providers to reach the communities most in need. In FY 2025 alone, the city allocated $41 million across DOHMH, NYC Health + Hospitals, and the Office of the New York City Chief Medical Examiner to support the expansion of services around the city and enhance the existing network of care.
Ongoing funds from opioid settlements through DOHMH have supported wraparound services for syringe service programs, including on-site medical care, connections to health care and social services, and support for basic needs. In FY 2025, syringe service programs that operate Overdose Prevention Centers provided approximately 39,000 harm reduction services to more than 8,000 participants, reducing the risk of overdose and infectious disease and providing referrals to treatment and other health and social services. In 2023, the Adams administration also allocated $3 million to eight providers on Staten Island through a request for proposal to directly support the expansion of buprenorphine treatment, outreach and engagement, and care navigation services in the borough. This past July, the city announced $4 million in annual funding for nine outpatient and opioid treatment programs citywide to increase access to methadone and buprenorphine. Contracting for the expansion of the number of hospitals participating in DOHMH’s emergency department-based nonfatal opioid overdose response program called Relay remains ongoing.
Since beginning to receive funding through opioid settlements, NYC Health + Hospitals has had over 9,700 patient engagements with expanded substance use services at Street Health Outreach and Wellness vans, nearly 83,000 encounters with patients in emergency departments with addiction services provided by the Emergency Department Leads program, and has successfully launched a cutting-edge addiction simulation training for emergency department prescribers. Additionally, NYC Health + Hospitals has provided comprehensive addiction consultations at over 24,700 inpatient admissions through the Consult for Addiction Treatment and Care in Hospitals program.
Further, the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner’s Drug Intelligence and Intervention Group program has offered support services to more than 4,000 individuals following the death of a loved one from an overdose.
All actions taken by Mayor Adams and the Adams administration to prevent overdose deaths also underscore the administration’s efforts to improve and extend the average lifespan of all New Yorkers through “HealthyNYC” to 83 years by 2030. HealthyNYC sets ambitious targets to address the greatest drivers of premature death, including chronic and diet-related diseases, screenable cancers, overdose, suicide, maternal mortality, violence, and COVID-19.
New Yorkers looking to access substance use services can call or text 988 for free, confidential support 24/7. Resources can also be found on the “NYC HealthMap” and on DOHMH’s website.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has launched a statewide crackdown on impaired and reckless driving, deploying extra State Police and local law enforcement patrols from October 25 through Halloween night on October 31. Funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, the initiative includes sobriety checkpoints, heightened DWI enforcement, and targets for speeding and distracted drivers amid heightened risks from trick-or-treaters and partygoers. Last year’s effort yielded over 46,000 tickets and 1,260 impaired-driving arrests; officials urge motorists to plan sober rides via the free “Have a Plan” app, citing federal data showing Halloween pedestrian deaths surge 43% and nearly one-third of fatal crashes involve drunk drivers.
Governor Hochul Announces Increased State Police and Local Law Enforcement Patrols to Combat Impaired and Reckless Driving Through Halloween
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced that State Police and local law enforcement will increase patrols through Halloween, targeting impaired and reckless drivers. The enforcement period, which is funded by the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee, runs from Saturday, October 25 through Friday, October 31.
“Halloween should be fun and safe for everyone, regardless of how you choose to celebrate,” Governor Hochul said. “Unfortunately, poor choices behind the wheel can lead to deadly consequences. There is no excuse to drive impaired, drive distracted or speed. The New York State Police and our local law enforcement officers will be out and looking for anyone who makes the decision to jeopardize the safety of others this Halloween.”
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles Commissioner and Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee Chair Mark J.F. Schroeder said, “We want everyone to be safe and enjoy Halloween festivities. If your celebration includes consuming alcohol or drugs, plan to have a sober ride. Nothing will haunt you like a DWI. We all play a part in ensuring children and parents get home safely when they are out trick-or-treating. Look for pedestrians, lower your speed, put away the distractions and make sure everyone gets home safely.”
New York State Police Superintendent Steven G. James said, “Keeping our roadways safe is a shared responsibility, and that begins with making smart choices before you get behind the wheel. Our Troopers will be out in full force this Halloween to protect the public from impaired, distracted, and reckless drivers. We want everyone to enjoy the holiday, but safety must come first. Plan ahead, drive sober, and help us make sure every child and family makes it home safely.”
New York State Sheriffs’ Association President and Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone said,“Law enforcement will be out to make sure everyone is safe this spooky time of year. As families are enjoying Halloween, and sometimes the days before and after, drivers need to be on the lookout for pedestrians. It is hard to see little ghouls and goblins if you are speeding or driving impaired. The Sheriffs of New York State want you to enjoy your tricks and treats safely, so obey the speed limit and drive sober.”
During last year’s initiative, law enforcement officers issued 46,212 citations, arrested 1,260 drivers for impaired driving and ticketed 9,029 drivers for speeding.
Motorists can expect several sobriety checkpoints and additional DWI patrols during the enforcement period. In addition to targeting impaired drivers, law enforcement officers will also be looking for drivers that are distracted or speeding.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports Halloween is a particularly deadly night due to the high number of impaired drivers on the roads and a significant increase in pedestrians. In 2023, 29 percent of fatal car crashes on Halloween involved impaired drivers. Studies also show that pedestrian deaths increase by 43% on Halloween compared to other nights. NHTSA data also shows that the impaired driving crisis killed more than 13,000 people for the second year in a row. Drunk driving deaths have increased 22 percent since 2019 with someone killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 85 seconds.
For drivers who might find themselves in need of a way home after Halloween parties, the Governor’s Traffic Safety Committee and the New York State STOP-DWI Foundation’s “Have a Plan” mobile app is available for Apple and Android smartphones. The app enables New Yorkers to locate and call a taxi service and program a designated driver list. It also provides information on DWI laws and penalties, and a way to report a suspected impaired driver.
New York City has joined a nine-jurisdiction coalition led by Chicago to sue the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA, aiming to block new FY2025 “Standard Terms and Conditions” the cities call unlawful and dangerous to public safety. The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, argues that federal officials exceeded their authority by conditioning counterterrorism and disaster-preparedness funds—over $100 million nationally—on certifications that recipients do not run “Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA)” programs and that they comply with all of former President Donald Trump’s executive orders. NYC warns the cuts could hinder the NYPD’s radiological/nuclear detection efforts and transit system security, including active-shooter training and daily specialized deployments. The suit contends only Congress can change grant conditions and challenges a clause that could claw back triple the grant amounts, risking critical services. Joining NYC and Chicago are Denver, New Haven, Baltimore, Boston, Minneapolis, Saint Paul, and Ramsey County, MN.
City of New York Files Lawsuit to Protect Over $100 Million in Federal Emergency and Disaster Grants to Local Governments Nationwide
– The City of New York — as part of a national coalition of nine local governments from across the country — has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), challenging the federal government’s effort to force cities and counties to agree to unlawful conditions to continue to receive over $100 million in federal funding for countering terrorism, disaster preparedness, and other public safety programs. In the lawsuit, the coalition argues that without this funding, the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) ability to detect and defend against a radiological or nuclear attack could be compromised. Additionally, funding that supports the New York City transit system’s operational security capability and capacity, including active shooter training and deploying specialized teams within the transit system every day, could be affected.
“Public safety has always been our administration’s North Star, which is why we have always fought for every penny from our state and federal counterparts to keep us safe,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. “We’ve hit historic lows in crime because we’ve always been willing to make the necessary investments, so now is not the time to go backwards. We are proud to join partners from across the nation, once again, in filing this lawsuit to keep New Yorkers, and Americans from across the nation, safe.”
“Losing funding that helps the NYPD prevent terror attacks on our subways, bridges, and tunnels would be contrary to law, the intent of Congress, and put millions of New Yorkers at risk,” said New York City Corporation Counsel Muriel Goode-Trufant.
In each of the last three fiscal years, New York City has been awarded approximately $150 million in grant funding for critical emergency management programs at the NYPD, the New York City Department of Transportation, and other city agencies. However, in Fiscal Year 2025, as part of the “Standard Terms and Conditions,” DHS adopted unlawful new conditions requiring recipients to certify that they do not “operate any programs that advance or promote ‘Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility’,” and requiring compliance with all of President Donald Trump’s executive orders to be eligible to receive the funds. The DHS grants help local governments prepare for, respond to, and recover from disasters such as acts of terrorism, mass shootings, cyber incidents, and other complex emergencies, putting critical services for numerous communities, including New York, at risk.
The lawsuit — led by the City of Chicago in Illinois and filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois Eastern Division — states that new funding conditions added by the heads of federal agencies are unconstitutional and an overreach by the executive branch, which does not have the authority to change conditions related to federal grants without the approval of Congress.
The lawsuit resists efforts by the federal administration to coerce local governments into accepting these unlawful grant conditions, including a condition that puts at risk three times the amount of the grants based on vague and undefined requirements — further endangering critical services for New Yorkers.
Joining New York City and Chicago in filing the lawsuit are the cities of Denver, Colorado; New Haven, Connecticut; Baltimore, Maryland; Boston, Massachusetts; Minneapolis, Minnesota, and Saint Paul Minnesota; as well as the county of Ramsey, Minnesota.
Oct. 21, 2025—Mayor Eric Adams, Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos and MOME Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman launched the sixth annual “Battle of the Boroughs,” a Minecraft Education esports contest inviting K–12 students to reimagine Pier 6 at the MADE Bush Terminal Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. The city will baseline $60,000 to support technology needs for participants and educators; team submissions are open now through Jan. 16, 2026, via the New York City Public Schools website. Top entries will advance to in-person borough qualifiers and a Mayor’s Cup Final at the 2026 New York City Video Game Festival. The program aligns with City Hall’s digital-games push as the local industry grows to roughly 380 studios, 7,900 jobs and an estimated $2.6 billion in economic impact.
Mayor Adams, Chancellor Aviles-Ramos, Commissioner Kaufman Kick Off 2026 “Battle of the Boroughs” E-Sports Competition
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos, and Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME) Commissioner Pat Swinney Kaufman today launched the first round of the sixth annual New York City Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs Esports Competition (BOTB). Through BOTB, K-12 students compete to build a more inclusive, sustainable, future-ready New York City in Minecraft while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Additionally, for the first time, the Adams administration will baseline $60,000 for the annual competition to support critical technology needs for participants and educators. Submissions for student teams are open now and close on January 16, 2026. Information on how to join the challenge, as well as entry-level training courses for educators to bring digital gaming into their classrooms, is available on the New York City Public Schools website.
“We’re not just making sure our students are prepared to join the digital gaming industry but training them to lead it — that is what this competition is all about,” said Mayor Adams. “By encouraging students to learn computer science, build critical thinking skills, and explore sustainable design, we are both engaging our young people today and laying the foundation for good-paying careers after they graduate. Congratulations to last year’s winners and good luck to this year’s teams!”
“The annual Battle of the Boroughs competition showcases the incredible potential of our students when they’re given the tools and the platform to thrive,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “The new funding set aside by New York City Public Schools to support this initiative will help us to celebrate and lift the creativity and innovation of our young people even further. I’m proud of every student who participates, and I’m grateful to the educators and partners who continue to support them every step of the way.”
“The annual Minecraft Education Battle of the Boroughs competition is back, with the earliest entry date yet, so that even more students across the five boroughs get an opportunity to enter and take a meaningful step towards an education and career in the city’s burgeoning digital games industry,” said MOMECommissioner Kaufman. “The Adams administration and our office are committed to supporting digital game development through the Battle of the Boroughs competition leading to the Mayor’s Cup Final and the second annual New York City Video Game Festival in the spring of 2026.”
“The Battle of the Boroughs empowers the next generation of New Yorkers to use digital gaming technology to reimagine city spaces, inspiring NYCEDC and our continuous revitalization work,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) President & CEO Andrew Kimball. “The competition is an outstanding opportunity to engage students across the five boroughs in city planning, digital innovation, and sustainability, and NYCEDC looks forward each year to seeing the visionary concepts from our city’s young minds.”
BOTB — which was developed in partnership with Minecraft Education and builds on Mayor Adams’ Digital Gaming Initiative, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and PlaNYC: Getting Sustainability Done (GSD) — is a scholastic digital gaming competition in which elementary, middle, and high school students compete to design future-ready city spaces. Through the competition, students explore the five boroughs, learn more about New York City’s sustainability plans, and develop valuable computer science and critical thinking skills.
Mayor Adams today also announced the prompt for the first round of this year’s competition: to reimagine Pier 6 at the MADE Bush Terminal Campus in Sunset Park, Brooklyn. In August 2025, the Adams administration broke ground on a transformation of the actual Pier 6, which will create an engaging new open space for community residents and tenants of the MADE Bush Terminal Campus. The campus offers modern facilities and gathering space to promote manufacturing and business activity along the Sunset Park waterfront. In the first round of the competition, students are encouraged to create alternative designs for the project. Top submissions will compete at an in-person qualifying round in each borough. The BOTB Mayor’s Cup Final will take place during the 2nd Annual New York City Video Game Festival in the spring of 2026, presented by MOME.
As part of today’s announcement, Mayor Adams also celebrated last year’s winning student teams:
The city’s digital gaming industry has continued to grow under the Adams administration. Since 2019, the number of game development studios in New York City has increased by 90 percent, to 380 studios today; the number of industry jobs has increased by four percent, to 7,900 jobs; and the economic impact of the industry has increased by 30 percent, to $2.6 billion.
“Battle of the Boroughs has proven that, when you give students a platform like Minecraft to show their creativity and critical thinking skills, they come together in amazing ways to solve complex challenges,” said Allison Matthews, head, Minecraft Education at Mojang Studios. “In this new AI era, these skills have never been more important. We are thrilled to be part of this year’s kickoff with Microsoft and can’t wait to see what’s crafted during the competition.”
Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi, 33, a Gazan native currently residing in Lafayette, Louisiana, was arrested yesterday for his alleged involvement in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
“After hiding out in the United States, this monster has been found and charged with participating in the atrocities of October 7 — the single deadliest day for Jewish people since the Holocaust,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “While nothing can fully heal the scars left by Hamas’s brutal attack, this Department’s Joint Task Force October 7 is dedicated to finding and prosecuting those responsible for that horrific day, including the murder of dozens of American citizens. We will continue to stand by Jewish Americans and Jewish people around the world against anti-Semitism and terrorism in all its forms.”
“As set forth in documents filed yesterday, on October 7, when Al-Muhtadi learned of the unfolding barbaric attack on Israel and civilians from multiple nations, including the United States, he sprang into action. He armed himself, recruited additional marauders, and then entered Israel, where there is evidence placing him near one of the worst-hit Israeli communities,” said Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg. “Subsequently, Al-Muhtadi fraudulently obtained a visa to enter the United States where he hoped to remain undetected. This arrest is the first public step in bringing to justice those responsible for harming Americans on that day.”
“October 7 is a day that lives in infamy for so many, Gentile and Jew alike, because of the terrorist attack on Israel that began a wave of antisemitic violence,” said U.S. Attorney Zachary A. Keller for the Western District of Louisiana. “Let this arrest serve as a reminder both that those who perpetrate acts of terrorism cannot evade justice by hiding in our communities and that state, local, and federal law enforcement — here, the FBI, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, Louisiana State Police, Lafayette Police Department, and Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office — are working tirelessly to bring these people to justice.”
According to court documents, Al-Muhtadi is an operative for the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (DFLP) military wing, the National Resistance Brigades (NRB, also known as the Martyr Umar al-Qasim Forces), a Gaza-based paramilitary group that participated in the Hamas-led terrorist attack against Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.
As alleged, on the morning of Oct. 7, 2023, Al-Muhtadi learned about the Hamas invasion, armed himself, gathered others, and crossed into Israel with the intention of assisting in Hamas’s terrorist attack. According to the complaint, Al-Muhtadi’s phone utilized a cell tower located near Kibbutz Kfar Aza in Israel – the location of a horrifying massacre by Hamas and its supporters resulting in the deaths of many civilians, including at least four American citizens.
In addition, Al-Muhtadi allegedly provided false information in his U.S. visa application relating to his involvement with a paramilitary organization, connection to Hamas, participation in a terrorist attack, and military training. Al-Muhtadi swore to the accuracy of numerous materially false statements in his visa application with respect to at least his affiliation with DFLP, the NRB, and Hamas, his training, and his involvement in the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks. According to U.S. Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Protection records, Al-Muhtadi entered the United States on Sept. 12, 2024.
Joint Task Force October 7 (JTF 10-7) and the FBI New Orleans Field Office are investigating the case, with valuable assistance from Israeli authorities, including the State Attorney’s Office of Israel, the Israeli Security Agency, Lahav 433 and the Intelligence and Investigation Department of the Israel National Police, the Israel Defense Forces, and the Israeli National Bureau for Counter Terror Financing, as well as the FBI Law Enforcement Attache Office in Israel. The Louisiana State Police, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Lafayette Police Department and the Lafayette Parish Sheriff’s Office also provided significant assistance.
Assistant U.S. Attorney John Nickel for the Western District of Louisiana; Trial Attorneys A.J. Dixon, Andrew Sigler and JTF 10-7 Lead Attorney Alicia Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section; and Assistant U.S. Attorney Zoe Bedell for the Eastern District of Virginia are prosecuting the case. Valuable assistance was also provided by Trial Attorney Mark Aziz with the Justice Department’s Office of International Affairs.
Al-Muhtadi’s presence in the U.S. was discovered by JTF 10-7. Established in February 2025 by Attorney General Pamela Bondi, JTF 10-7 was created to spearhead the Justice Department’s ongoing investigations into the perpetrators of the heinous October 7, 2023, terrorist attack on Israel, in which approximately 1,200 people were murdered by Hamas, including 49 U.S. citizens, and approximately 250 additional people were abducted by Hamas, including 8 U.S. citizens. The task force reinforces the Department’s commitment to degrading and dismantling Hamas, holding Hamas supporters accountable, achieving justice for victims, and fighting terrorist-led antisemitism.
Mayor Eric Adams on Oct. 14 signed Executive Order 57 creating the New York City Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, the first municipal office of its kind in the U.S., and appointed policy veteran Moises Rendon as executive director. The office will promote responsible use of crypto and blockchain, coordinate with the city’s Office of Technology and Innovation and other agencies, and engage state and federal partners. Early priorities include assembling an industry advisory commission, attracting talent and investment, expanding access for unbanked residents, and bolstering public education on risks such as scams—all aimed at reinforcing New York’s position as a global finance-and-tech hub.
Mayor Adams Takes Action to Position New York City as Global Capital of Digital Assets
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today signed Executive Order 57 and established the New York City Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain. The first-ever mayoral office of its kind in the nation positions New York as the global capital of digital assets, including cryptocurrency and blockchain technologies. The office will promote the responsible use of digital assets and blockchain technologies, grow economic opportunities for New Yorkers, attract world-class talent, and reinforce the city’s standing as the world’s hub for financial and technological innovation. Mayor Adams also today appointed Moises Rendon to lead the office as executive director. As its first action, Executive Director Rendon will form a commission of leaders in the digital assets space to advise on the office’s work.
“From day one, our administration has kept New York City ahead of the curve because when we embrace technology, we deliver a safer, more affordable city,” said Mayor Adams. “In 2022, I became the first American mayor to convert my first three paychecks into crypto and this past May, our administration hosted the first-ever crypto summit at Gracie Mansion. Today, with the nation’s first mayoral agency focused solely on digital assets and blockchain technology, we continue to signal the opportunities this new form of technology can bring to New York City. Our city has always been the center of innovation, and we’re embracing the technologies of tomorrow today. The age of digital assets is here, and with it comes the chance to grow our economy, attract world-class talent, expand opportunities for underbanked communities, and make government more user-friendly. I’m looking forward to working closer with Moises Rendon as we help make New York City the tech capital of the world.”
“New York City has remained the global center of innovation for decades due to our willingness to embrace new, emerging technologies,” said First Deputy Mayor Randy Mastro. “With the launch of the New York City Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain, New York City is reaffirming its role as a leader in the financial and technology sectors to ensure that working-class New Yorkers are first in line for game-changing economic opportunities of the future and efficient delivery of government services. And Moises Rendon is uniquely qualified to guide New York City through this new frontier of technology, which will, once again, result in New York City growing its economy, delivering real economic benefits to underserved communities, and attracting the world-class talent that makes us the envy of the world.”
“New York City’s future as a global finance center and municipal governance leader depends on our ability to capitalize on the enormous opportunities presented by emerging technologies such as digital assets and blockchain,” said New York City Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser. “Today’s announcement affirms our place at the forefront of this technological revolution and showcases the mayor’s bold, forward-looking vision to make New York City the crypto capital of the globe. This office ensures that we’re partnering with the brightest minds across the fintech sphere and empowering city agencies to harness the transformative potential of digital assets and blockchain for the benefit of 8.5 million New Yorkers.”
“Mayor Adams’ creation of this new office proves that the future is now for digital assets and blockchain in New York City,” said Mayor’s Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain Executive Director Moises Rendon. “I am honored to lead the nation’s first municipal office dedicated to successfully and responsibly deploying these technologies. I look forward to collaborating with CTO Fraser, city agency partners, and private-industry leaders to develop policies and programs that make our government more accessible, transparent, and innovative for New Yorkers in the years ahead.”
The Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain will promote long-term economic growth, ensuring that digital assets strengthen the city’s economy, including by:
Fostering innovation and development while guiding the responsible development of cryptocurrency and blockchain ecosystems in New York City.
Coordinating efforts between the digital asset industry and government, serving as a bridge to encourage responsible innovation and alignment across stakeholders.
Working in close collaboration with the New York City Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) while also coordinating citywide efforts across agencies, ensuring alignment of policies, services, and digital asset initiatives.
Engaging with state and federal partners to promote policies that make New York City more welcoming to blockchain and crypto initiatives that add value and comply with laws and regulations.
Promoting inclusion and access, particularly for unbanked and underbanked communities, by supporting safer ways to save money, access resources, and build resilience against inflation.
Educating and protecting the public through initiatives that help New Yorkers understand the risks of digital assets, including campaigns to raise awareness of scams, fraud, and consumer protections.
Attracting world-class talent and investment, ensuring New York remains globally competitive in financial innovation and technological development.
Supporting nonpartisan, policy-driven legislation, ensuring the office remains focused on sound policy and the delivery of tangible benefits to New Yorkers across all communities.
Through these efforts, the Office of Digital Assets and Blockchain will help secure New York City’s leadership in the digital economy, expand opportunities for its residents, and build a foundation of responsible innovation, trust, inclusion, and growth. The office will allow New York City to demonstrate its leadership in embracing innovation while safeguarding the interests of its residents.
About Moises Rendon
Moises Rendon is a digital assets and blockchain policy expert with extensive experience advising federal, local, and international stakeholders. He currently serves as policy advisor for digital assets and blockchain at OTI, where he leads citywide research and strategic initiatives to explore blockchain’s potential for improving government operations.
Previously, Rendon served as a director for the Washington, D.C. office of the Americas Society/Council of the Americas and was a policy consultant for the U.S. Department of State, United States Agency for International Development, and private-sector clients on fintech and economic trends. Rendon holds a Master of Laws degree in International Business and Economic Law from Georgetown University Law Center and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Andrés Bello Catholic University in Venezuela.
Executive Director Rendon will report directly to Chief Technology Officer Matt Fraser.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams announced an $8.5 million pilot, CRIB—Creating Real Impact at Birth—to move more than 300 pregnant New Yorkers into stable housing before delivery using CityFHEPS vouchers or Pathway Home subsidies, part of a broader $650 million homelessness and mental-health plan. The initiative targets a persistent problem—over 2,000 babies were born in city shelters in 2024—while building on CityFHEPS, now aiding 60,000 households. Adams also introduced “New York City Baby Boxes,” $200 kits of essentials for about 7,000 families delivering at Kings County, Elmhurst, Lincoln and Jacobi hospitals. Officials said the paired measures aim to cut red tape, prevent shelter entry, and improve early health and bonding outcomes for parents and infants.
Mayor Adams Launches Two Signature Programs to Make Life More Affordable for New Mothers and Families, Avoid Shelter and Poverty
Mayor Eric Adams: Really really proud and happy to be here today. This is something that Deputy Mayor Williams-Isom joined us and we continued this important initiative, our CRIB program. It’s unimaginable when you think about it, in the city for far too long, mothers were giving birth to babies and then returning back to shelters. And we were clear under this administration that we were not going to continue that system of just systemic poverty and just a way of stating that we as New Yorkers and the government, we are not concerned about breaking the clear cycles of poverty.
You know Archbishop Desmond Tutu had a quote that I always remember, “We spend a lifetime pulling people out of the river, no one goes upstream and prevents them from falling in the first place.” And we have professionalized pulling people out of the river. Today, this announcement of CRIB is how we’re going to prevent them from falling in the first place.
Having a child should be the greatest day of one’s life. I remember watching Jordan when he was born and how proud I was and I knew the awesome responsibility of being a dad. But it was a proud moment for me and it’s definitely the way a million of New Yorkers should feel when they give birth to a child. And on that day, you should not have to worry about where you’re going to take your baby to. You should not have to worry about [whether] you’re going to return to an environment that’s not conducive to a child upbringing.
You should not have to worry about whether your child will grow up on the verge of homelessness or in a home. Nothing is more important to our city’s future than making sure every young person, they’re ready for the future that’s ahead of them. And that starts with a place for them to live the moment they’re born. And that’s what we’re delivering with the launch of our new pilot project CRIB, an initiative that aims to create real impact at birth by putting pregnant New Yorkers on a path to permanent housing.
This is an $8.5 million program that will provide pregnant New Yorkers with housing vouchers so they can quickly move into stable homes before the child is born. And earlier this year, in our State of the City address, we made a commitment that no child should ever be born into our shelter system. And that is what CRIB is all about. It’s part of the $650 million plan to tackle homelessness and severe mental illness and to ensure New Yorkers have a safe, clean place to come home to.
In fact, by ensuring mothers and babies do not enter a shelter after leaving the hospital, we are breaking the cycle of poverty and housing instability before it starts. In 2024 alone, over 2,000 babies were born in New York City shelters. Just think about that for a moment. Over 2,000. That’s 2,000 too many. And with every housing voucher that this CRIB program will give to families, it will connect New Yorkers while diverting pregnant parents from shelter and improving their health services and outcomes.
So that our most vulnerable New Yorkers can find the affordable housing they need and get the start in life that they deserve. With CRIB, we are ensuring that families are supported and are able to live in a city that is safe and affordable. This is also another example of how this administration is cutting through the red tape of bureaucracy to give the resources to families when they need it. And that often prevents people from getting government services in a timely manner.
CRIB doesn’t just further our mission to make our city the best place to raise a family. It builds on a record of doing so. Since coming to office, when you think about it, how we have moved people out of homelessness into permanent housing, and a record number of individuals in shelters, with nearly 37,500 New Yorkers moving into subsidized units last fiscal year alone.
An awesome job and responsibility of Commissioner Wasow Park and her team. They have really leaned into breaking this record of getting people into permanent housing. Even when we were facing an asylum seeker and a migrant crisis with 237,000 migrants and asylum seekers, over 90 percent have gone on to the next step of their journey. Not one child or family slept on the streets of the City of New York, and history is going to be kind to that record when we start reflecting on how great this administration has done when it came down to people in need
Starting a family is one of the greatest joys one should have. But barriers and negative reactions have prevented that joy from being what it should be. So we are not just ensuring that pregnant mothers have housing, we’re making sure that families have the support they need. And earlier this year, we launched our New York City Baby Boxes, which sends families home from hospital with vital supplies and resources, including diapers and wipes, clothing, games and guys, and what to expect after giving birth.
These items that we see here, trust me when I tell you, it goes a long way when you don’t have to determine what you will put on your table to eat and buy the supplies for your babies. This is a great way to start off with your child and the support and information that they need. New York City Baby Boxes will reach approximately 7,000 families across our public hospital system. 7,000 New York families will be leaving the hospital with diapers and clothing and other supplies.
7,000 that can have peace of mind, that they have the resources they need to get an early start. And when you add this with what Deputy Commissioner Mark Stewart and Community Affairs and the Police Department with his various baby supplies that he has given out to over 20,000 families in the city. It is how every agency is on board for doing what is right for the children and families of the city. We’re helping ease the financial stress of new families and making New York City more affordable for them.
Our children are the next generation and our next generation starts now. Many times and far too often we look at these stats and create them as just numbers on the pieces of paper. But it’s not. It’s individuals and far too often we have denied those individuals the access to government that they deserve. And nothing personifies that more than our next speaker, Tytiana Mitchell. She’s a queer participant and her baby is going to have the early start in life that they deserve. I’m going to bring in Tytiana.
Tytiana Mitchell: My name is Tytiana Mitchell. I’m 25 years old. I am a lifelong New Yorker. I live in Queens, New York. And I recently fell through rough times and had to go into the shelter in mid-September. I am currently three months pregnant and I am excited to start my new chapter in my life. But I know I also need stable housing to care for my baby. When I went into the PATH Intake Center run by the Department of Homeless Services, I was immediately greeted by people who wanted to help.
They told me that because I am pregnant, I am eligible for a new program called CRIB that specializes in helping pregnant women like me. They let me know that I could move in with a family member who received support to house me and my growing family or get a CityFHEPS voucher so I can afford my own housing.
The program has been great in moving to help me quickly and really showed me that they care about me. I work a seasonal job and I am currently on interviews to get full-time work. With the support of the city and the Adams Administration, I am excited [about] what my future will hold for me and my baby and my partner, Jhevon, who is here with me today. And now we’ll be introducing Commissioner Wasow Park.
Mayor Adams: Hold on, hold on. That’s your boo? Come on up here, man. You should be up here with us. Come on. Love it. Go ahead, say a few words, man. Always trying to leave the men out.
Jhevon Higgins: What I would like to say is thank you to the Adams [administration], [Mayor] Adams, [and] commissioner because the steps that we take and the life that we live in this New York City, we know it’s not always easy. It’s a rough path that we have to deal with, but with the help of everybody that’s a part of the system, I think that we have a better chance of getting there.
Mayor Adams: Good luck to you. Thank you. Boy or girl?
Higgins: [Inaudible.]
Commissioner Molly Wasow Park, Department of Social Services: Good morning. Having a baby is both a wonderful life moment and immensely challenging. My baby is now twenty, but I still remember very distinctly both the joys and the stresses of those first few months. That time is profoundly important, both for the family and for the baby. The instability and, frankly, trauma of homelessness can have lasting impacts on an infant.
And with over 2,000 babies born in shelters in 2024, there’s no bigger way to impact a child’s first days on this earth than to ensure the child is born into a stable home. With CRIB creating real impact at birth, we’re working creatively and strategically to break the cycle of infant homelessness. Our goal is to identify the best tools to connect parents facing homelessness to permanent housing in real time so that their babies will be born into stability.
CRIB is a pilot to study the impact of housing stability on the newest of New Yorkers by providing expecting mothers housing support to avoid entering shelter. Through the pilot program, DSS will identify more than 300 pregnant people who are applying for shelter and assign them to a housing subsidy, either the rental assistance program CityFHEPS or Pathway Home, which pays people to stay with friends or family. This will allow them to more quickly move into stable homes before their children are born.
The pilot builds off our experience serving families over many years. For example, during COVID, the number of families with children entering the shelter system dropped significantly. One of the reasons for this is that substantial federal income support meant that families could afford to stay together. We know that the city has a historically low vacancy rate, and it’s hard to go out and find an apartment.
So we’re looking to see if we can support people to stay with their friends and families in a moment of great change for them with Pathway Home. And as for CityFHEPS, DSS helped nearly 32,000 individuals obtain permanent homes or stay stably housed through CityFHEPS in 2025, reflecting a threefold increase in the number of new households using the voucher since the launch of the program.
Today, more than 60,000 households or more than 136,000 New Yorkers are using CityFHEPS for their housing. This reflects a more than 200 percent growth in the program since its launch and makes CityFHEPS the second largest rental assistance program in the country. Through CRIB, we are looking to evaluate these two different models to see which one best helps pregnant people either avoid shelter altogether or have very short shelter stays so that we minimize the number of babies born in shelters.
Thanks to Mayor Adams, this is an innovative program that we anticipate will lead to improved outcomes for families and babies during a transformative and precious, yet also deeply vulnerable time in their lives. I want to say a big thank you to the DSS staff who took my crazy idea and turned it into reality, and particularly to the two deputy mayors who are here who have championed the work from the very beginning. And now it is my great pleasure to introduce New York City Health + Hospitals Chief Women’s Health Officer, Dr. Wendy Wilcox. Thank you.
Dr. Wendy Wilcox, Chief Women’s Health Officer, New York City Health + Hospitals: Good morning and thank you. Mr. Mayor, deputy mayors, thank you all who are here for joining us at New York City Health + Hospitals Kings County today for this special announcement. My name is Dr. Wendy Wilcox. I’m the inaugural Chief Women’s Health Officer for New York City Health + Hospitals. I also was previously chief of service here at OBGYN because I am an obstetrician gynecologist. So in case you need anything, I know it’s too early, but we’ll see.
We know that the first few months of parents and babies’ lives together are extremely important. The less that they have to worry about some of the essentials, the more time they have together to bond. That bonding is incredibly important for the lifetime health of both the baby and the mother. Relieving this stress is so necessary for a future of health and for the health of the entire family. That’s why these baby boxes are so important to birthing families. Not only do they take the burden off of new parents, allowing the time to care and bond with their newborn, but also to take stress out of their lives.
The baby boxes, along with the CRIB program that you just heard about, are to make sure that all of those outside stressors will be relieved. These baby boxes are going to be available for all birthing families. You heard me. All birthing families who deliver at our four sites that have the most deliveries within the system. These would be Kings County, Elmhurst, Lincoln, and Jacoby. I want to thank the mayor and the deputy mayors for their commitment to New York City Health + Hospitals and the families of New York City.
I also want to thank Welcome Baby and the United Way, as well as both the City Hall teams and the central office women’s health and communications teams for really making this become a reality. We know that New York City loves babies, and just in case you had any doubt, New York City loves babies. We know that this will program the baby boxes and the CRIB program will make a difference. And now, I will introduce Deputy Mayor Suzanne Miles-Gustave.
Deputy Mayor Suzanne Miles-Gustave, Health and Human Services: Thank you so much. Good morning. It is such a pleasure to be here with all of our Health + Hospital heroes. Wonderful room to be in. But from day one, I think you heard the mayor say, the Adams administration has made supporting children and families a core focus, not just a policy priority, but as a reflection of our values. Project CRIB is a powerful example of what it looks like when we bring our health and social services systems into alignment, treating housing not as separate from health, but as essential to it.
We know that the conditions into which a child is born shapes everything that follows. Development, health, family stability, even long-term opportunities. When a newborn enters the world into shelter, that child and their parents are already facing trauma, stress, and barriers to care. With CRIB, our Creating Real Impact at Birth, we are piloting an approach that meets families at the exact moment when coordinated support can make the greatest difference. It’s smart government, but it’s also deeply human government.
This initiative reflects our administration’s belief that early intervention works, that prevention is powerful, and that health and housing outcomes improve when we connect people to the right services and resources at the right time, before [a] crisis hits. It also reflects a broader shift we’re leading across city government, and that’s integrating care, moving away from fragmented systems toward ones that see families holistically, not as cases or numbers, but as New Yorkers who deserve to thrive.
A thanks to our partners at DSS, to our healthcare providers here at H + H, and to Mayor Adams for working to give every child a strong, stable start at life. This is really what it means to put families first. And I have to give a huge, huge, huge shout-out to my predecessor, for whom this would not be possible without her vision and commitment. And I want to bring former Deputy Mayor Anne Williams-Isom up to say a few words.
Former Deputy Mayor Anne Williams‑Isom: Good afternoon, everyone. Yes, my title was former deputy mayor, but ten weeks ago I got a new title. The title is Gigi Anne. We had our first grandchild, ten weeks ago. My whole life I have been a child advocate, so I know all the research. I have seen the data. I have three children of my own. But I will tell you that seeing my daughter and her son-in-law these past two months, months right before giving birth, has given me a refresher course that I didn’t realize I needed, about how vulnerable you are, how fragile, and frankly, how sacred this time is.
And so it has been so important for me to come from my Gigi duty, to come and to tell you, I spent so much time talking about adverse childhood experiences. And we study all the negative stuff. We study what happens if a child has a death in the family, or if they experience homelessness. But we know what works. We act like we’re on Mars. Was it surprising [to] you to hear that if a child is born into [a] shelter that that is traumatic?
I saw my daughter and my husband and I picked her up with flowers and all kinds of stuff, and I saw that glaze in her eyes because of what she was going through. And she was going through a beautiful apartment on the Upper West Side with people to help her. And the child, a 33 years old lawyer, looked like she [was a] deer in the headlights. What is it that we don’t understand? She had complications with breastfeeding. And I didn’t know what to do, but I called my 95-year-old mom and I was like, “Mom, how do we do this?”
And people that we could call. I don’t even want to call it a service. I want to call it support because it is something that we all need, no? Yes? And so we sit up here and we act like this is an amazing thing. But to say something so profoundly like no child should be born in a shelter, when the mayor said that, we all kind of went like, “Hh yeah, that’s nice.” You guys should clap for that. That is a bold vision of saying that this is the way the world is, but we can do something different. Yes? And we can do it together.
We talked about commitment. We talked about what the science says, which is why I love this so much. But we need to say the word love. If we loved all children like I love Noel, we would make sure that they have all of this and more. And it is possible for us to do that. Noel’s middle name is Ijeoma, which means safe journey. Her dad is from Nigeria. And Ijeoma’s safe journey doesn’t mean when she goes to school or when she gets a good early childhood program or when she goes into a good college. It means from the moment she’s born. I’m going to say one last thing.
When I go into the room and she hears my voice, she’s ten weeks old. She doesn’t know me from a hole in the wall. But she knows that someone is coming to help her, that when she cries, someone will be there for her to pick her up to comfort her, to give her a bottle that’s the right temperature, to hand it to her mom. You guys, we can do this. We can support moms and these fabulous dads that are here to do better for our children if we want a better world. I want to say thank you to all of the folks at the Department of Social Services, Health + Hospitals, Department of Health, all of you, because it’s a crazy time.
But what you do is you continue to put your head down. In the midst of, like the mayor used to say, “Block out the noise and just do what you need to do.” And we see that and we appreciate it. Lastly, I want to say something about Mayor Adams. We can say a lot about Mayor Adams. What I will say is that what I have always admired is his commitment, his compassion, and his superpower, which is his proximity to pain.
When there was any situation, whether it was a homeless person, a person with severe mental illness, he doesn’t go away from it, he doesn’t lean back from it, he leans into it. Sometimes I was like, we need to lean back, I don’t want to do that, please. He was just talking about the asylum seekers, and I feel like I have a post-traumatic stress system. But he leans in, and so I appreciate you dearly for all that you have done, and especially for the people that we love and the folks that are the most vulnerable in this city. God bless you all and thank you very much.
Mayor Adams: Thank you. I’m looking around the room and I’m seeing the faces of this amazing hospital. Sheldon, thanks so much for allowing us to host this here. As we were walking up the steps, Sheldon was sharing with me, the chief executive officer was sharing with me, you had 102 percent capacity, and you’re seeing the byproducts of COVID. Many of our young people are dealing with severe mental health issues. They’re finally coming out and talking about it. And so I just want to say thank you.
This hospital, I represented you as the state senator, as the borough president. You have always been on the ground, and your staff here is just amazing. Whenever we call on you, you’re always there, and we cannot thank you enough. This is a quality hospital in a community that needs quality care. I’m so glad what the deputy mayor stated. We have just put so many things in place to build on. We are leaving this city in good care, folks.
What this administration has done, whomever comes next, they need to build on what we have done. We’re handing off in this relay of life. No one runs the whole relay. There’s a team behind it. The baton we’re handing off. We’re giving everyone a great lead, a great foundation. We cannot mess this up. We can’t go backwards. We have to continue to lift up children and families in the city. So we’ll ask a few questions before I bounce.
Question: What’s the approximate value of the baby box?
Mayor Adams: H + H, do we have approximate values? You come up to the microphone.
Sarah Gould Steinhardt, Executive Director, Welcome Baby USA: I’m Sarah with Welcome Baby. The city is investing about $200 in each of these boxes for families who need them.
Question: So a few questions. On the baby box, are they customized to the mother? Because every mother is different when they’re pregnant and for their child. I also was wondering about the CityFHEPS voucher. Those people that already have vouchers complain that it’s difficult to get into apartments. So what’s the work being done so that the mother actually gets in before she’s due? And then I heard it’s a pilot program. Does that mean it’s only going to go to the end of this year or it’s going to be able to be funded into the next year?
Steinhardt: I can talk about the first question. These are the core essentials that really every birthing family needs when they bring a baby home from the hospital. So this really does satisfy all of those basic needs of a newborn and a postpartum mother in those first four weeks and, frankly, beyond.
Commissioner Wasow Park: So you’re absolutely right that the tightness of the New York City housing market is an immense challenge for everybody, and that’s one of the reasons why we are really testing two different housing pathways. There’s CityFHEPS vouchers, but we’re also working with Pathway Home, which is a program that helps cover costs when people are staying with friends or family.
We are really structuring this so that we understand what works best for parents when they are on a very specific timeline for getting housing. And I think at least one theory is that Pathway Home may be a good interim solution to help people address the fact that we do have a 1.4 percent vacancy rate in the city. With respect to the pilot, it has been funded over a five-year period.
Mayor Adams: That’s why we have to build more housing. That’s why we zoned the city for 426,000 new units of housing with our City of Yes program, the most comprehensive housing program in the history of the city. That’s why we built more housing in year one, year two, and year three in the history of the city. Our program is more than 12 years of Bloomberg, eight years of de Blasio combined.
We did it in three and a half years. That’s why more people are participating in the FHEPS voucher program, getting housing than any other administration in the history of the city. 3,500 people removed out of street homelessness into permanent housing, 1,000 off our subway system. We did it. And now the next guys have to do it. Thank you. Thank you all.
– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today released the following statement after all remaining living hostages in Gaza were returned home to Israel:
“Our hearts are filled with joy as an end to the war in Gaza appears to be on the horizon and families have finally been united. All living Israeli hostages have returned home after Hamas kidnapped them from their communities more than two years ago. Since the October 7th terrorist attacks, I have met with families whose children were ripped from their homes, mourned the innocent lives lost, and seen how this unspeakable pain impacted our city. We pray that this news will bring lasting peace, justice, and prosperity to Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
