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Dear John,

Correction to Last Week’s Newsletter: Before we dive into this week’s update, a quick correction: Ray Gish, who sadly passed away on October 31, 2024, and is deeply missed, was the owner of Commonwealth Bar, not The Commissioner. We sincerely regret and apologize for this mix-up! Now, let’s get into it.

Under Mayor Eric Adams’ administration, New York City is grappling with two interconnected crises: a leadership crisis and a crisis in care. His austerity budgets, record-long waitlists for essential services, and misplaced priorities have exacerbated the city’s mental health crisis, which plays out daily in our streets and our subways.

The true crisis goes beyond what we see. It’s the systemic failures that force our neighbors to navigate a broken system that fails to meet their needs. Families, caregivers, and everyday New Yorkers feel the weight of this failure, as they are left without reliable systems to turn to in moments of crisis. At its core, this is a crisis of misplaced priorities—an administration that has refused to invest in proven, evidence-based solutions right in front of us.

That’s why, last week, the Progressive Caucus—which I proudly co-chair—launched our Fiscal Year 2026 (FY26) Budget Priorities: Crisis to Care. This $61 million campaign aims to strengthen New York City’s care infrastructure and ensure that frontline workers have the dignified conditions and resources they need. This plan was developed in collaboration with advocates, community-based providers, and crisis responders, building on programs that have shown incredible success and following best medical practices.

Here are some of the key elements of our plan:

(1) $55.1M to Build Up Our Mental Health Network
* Eliminate waitlists for critical services, including Intensive Mobile Treatment ([link removed]) (IMT) teams and theForensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) ([link removed]) teams.
* Expand the Home+ Program ([link removed]) , which I authored under Local Law 45 of 2023. This program provides micro-grants to survivors of domestic violence to change their door and window locks so they can stay in their homes. Domestic violence is the second-largest driver of homelessness in NYC, and this program helps survivors stay housed by covering essential security measures.
* Support Justice-Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) for chronically homeless individuals with behavioral health needs who have been through the criminal justice system.

(2) $5.5M to Deliver a More Holistic Crisis Response & Support Frontline Workers
* Fundpeer specialists ([link removed]) to staff the city’s multi-agency mental health and crisis response teams.
* Create a pilot Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Wellness and Peer Support Program, including a crisis hotline, dedicated social workers, EMS peer support staff, and monthly debriefing and support groups.

(3)Action Items to Improve the Conditions of Frontline Workers
* Create a monthly Crisis Response Roundtable to assess the current state of the city’s mental health crisis response systems.
* Support UAW Local 2325’s pay and benefit contract demands, including a $70,000 living wage floor for all legal service workers and funding a minimum annual cost of living adjustment (COLA) of 4.5%.

Last month, after Mayor Adams announced his Preliminary FY26 Budget, he said, “There is no price that you can put on safety.” ([link removed]) If safety is his priority, our plan offers a roadmap to achieve it—at a fraction of the overall budget. True safety comes from investing in care—providing the support and services that people need to stay healthy, stable, and out of crisis. When we focus on meeting people’s needs through mental health services, housing, and resources, we build safer communities for everyone.

Visit the Progressive Caucus’ website ([link removed]) to learn more about the Crisis to Care plan or to show your support ([link removed]) . I’m excited to continue advocating for these critical investments alongside the Progressive Caucus as we work to reflect our values in this year’s budget and transition from crisis to care, creating a stronger and healthier city for all New Yorkers.
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Caption: Council Member Shahana along with Progressive Caucus colleagues and allies last Wednesday at the Crisis to Care Budget Launch on the City Hall Steps.

Constituent Services Corner

A constituent contacted us about ongoing chronic dumping in Prospect Park, where the area appeared to be an encampment for an unhoused individual, with furniture, tarps, broken shopping carts, and bags scattered around. Our office worked closely with the Parks Department and Breaking Ground, a nonprofit organization dedicated to ending homelessness, to address the issue. We helped clean up the area and conduct outreach to connect with the individual, offering vital resources and support to ensure they have access to the assistance they need.

Community Bulletin
* Every New Yorker has legal rights, and it’s essential to be informed. Given the extreme actions taken by the Trump Administration and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), knowing your rights is the best way to protect yourself and your family. Here are resources ([link removed]) in English, Spanish, Bangla, Creole, and Cantonese that outline what you need to know if approached by ICE.
* Community Board applications ([link removed]) close on Friday, 2/14! If you’re interested in helping shape the future of your neighborhood by becoming a Board Member, make sure to apply by the deadline for consideration.
* Calling all arts community-based organizations: The NYC Department of Transportation (DOT) is looking for partners ([link removed]) to install temporary, site-responsive public art on NYC DOT infrastructure, including medians, triangles, sidewalks, and fully pedestrianized asphalt spaces. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis!
* Applications for 3-K and Pre-K are open until Friday, 2/28. Apply online, visit a Family Welcome Center, or call 718-935-2009 for assistance.
* My office is collaborating with the Nonprofit Help Desk and Council Members Rita Joseph and Crystal Hudson to host a Discretionary Funding 101 Workshop on Tuesday, 2/11, at 6 PM. Register here ([link removed]) to attend.
* Help shape the future of the Gowanus neighborhood! The application to join the Gowanus Oversight Task Force is open through Friday, 2/28 ([link removed]) . Task Force members will engage with city agencies, participate in public meetings, and ensure the implementation of the 56 Points of Agreement, which were established as part of the Gowanus Neighborhood Rezoning.

In Solidarity,

Council Member Shahana
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Our mailing address is:
New York City Council Member Shahana Hanif
197 Bond Street
Brooklyn, NY 11217
USA
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