NEW YORK — In response to a series of high-profile violence incidents on the city’s subway system, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Thursday a substantial investment of an additional $650 million over the next five years aimed at addressing issues of street homelessness and mental health. This funding was highlighted during his annual State of the City address and is designed to target growing concerns regarding public safety, a central element of Adams’ leadership agenda.
These revelations come at a critical time as Adams prepares for a federal corruption trial and navigates through various controversies within the police department, all amid a competitive reelection period. Speaking at the renowned Apollo Theater in Harlem, he emphasized his commitment to reducing gun violence and homicides, alongside a promise to enhance resources within the subway system.
Adams acknowledged the feelings of insecurity that many New Yorkers are experiencing due to recent random acts of violence. He stated, “This investment will allow us to expand support for New Yorkers who are living on our subways, wrestling with serious mental illness, and at risk of entering shelter.”
The number of individuals experiencing homelessness in New York City, particularly those residing on the streets and in the subway, reached its highest level in almost 20 years last year. Contributing factors to this situation include escalating rents and a shelter system that is often perceived as unsafe and overcrowded.
Most of the allocated funds will be dedicated to the addition of 900 new “safe haven” beds that provide a more secure alternative compared to traditional dormitory-style shelters, along with 100 new beds dedicated to homeless children and teenagers. Anne Williams-Isom, the deputy mayor for health and human services, highlighted these efforts as vital steps forward.
David Giffen, the executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, recognized the increase in shelter beds as a “step in the right direction,” but cautioned that it only scratches the surface of the ongoing need for adequate housing solutions in the city.
Furthermore, the city plans to enhance outreach efforts within the subway and establish a new psychiatric center for individuals suffering from mental illnesses, who face challenges when transitioning out of hospitals without permanent housing. The specific site for this facility has yet to be determined.
Reflecting on the overall conditions, Williams-Isom emphasized the importance of improving subway safety while providing appropriate resources for those vulnerable individuals living unsheltered. She stated, “At this moment, we have to lean in to make sure the subways feel better, while providing destinations for people who are unsheltered.”
While crime rates, including incidents in the subway, have generally decreased across the city last year, the occurrences of felony assaults have risen both above and below ground. Despite this, violent crime within the transit system remains infrequent. Public transit environments, such as train cars and stations, are generally regarded as safe as other areas within the city.
However, recent alarming incidents have heightened anxiety among subway users. These events include a man being pushed onto the tracks before an oncoming train on New Year’s Eve, a sleeping woman tragically burned to death, and an individual slashing two people at Manhattan’s Grand Central subway station.
Giffen expressed concern that the mayor seems to be tailoring his policies based on sensational incidents rather than focusing on substantial solutions to homelessness in the city. He noted, “Homeless people and people with mental illness are far more likely to be victims than perpetrators of violent attacks.” Regardless, he acknowledged the need for additional safe haven beds as a positive step.
As a former police captain, Adams reiterated his intention to bolster the presence of law enforcement in the subway system. Additionally, he announced plans to ramp up efforts to push for a new state law that would simplify the process of involuntary commitment for individuals with severe mental health issues living on the streets.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signaled her support for this approach, though the prospects of the legislative proposal remain uncertain within the state Legislature.
