ISTANBUL 

New York’s mayor has unveiled a $650 million plan to combat homelessness and address mental illness in the city.

“Subways, serious mental illness, and shelters: that is how we make a renewed commitment to tackling street homelessness,” Eric Adams said in his State of the City address on Thursday.

The five-year initiative includes the construction of a new facility to house and treat mentally ill New Yorkers in response to recent alarming incidents in the city’s transit system.

Anne Williams-Isom, deputy mayor for health and human services, noted some of the public’s concerns: “New Yorkers are concerned about people sleeping on the train. It makes people nervous. We don’t think New Yorkers should be afraid to take the subway.”

Adams urged Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature in the capital Albany to grant the city greater authority to remove mentally ill individuals from public spaces, saying: “We can do this, New York City. But we need Albany’s help as well. We have seen the tragic consequences when severe mental illness on our streets and subways goes unchecked, which is why we must pass the Supportive Interventions Act.”

Adams was likely referring to the high-profile May 2023 killing of a homeless man, Jordan Neely, after he reportedly threatened fellow passengers. Former US Marine Daniel Penny last month was acquitted of charges over the killing.

Key components of plan

A $13 million pilot program aims to establish a 100-bed supportive housing facility for individuals transitioning out of psychiatric care but not yet ready for independent living. The initiative will also serve homeless youth age 21-24.

Adams announced plans to build 100,000 new housing units over the next decade under the Manhattan Plan, targeting a long-term goal of reaching 1 million homes.

“No child should ever be born into our shelter system,” Adams said, pledging to prevent families from entering shelters.

An additional $163 million over five years has been allocated for programs to support underserved youth and prevent involvement in crime and gang activity.

Since the launch of the subway safety plan in 2022, over 8,000 New Yorkers have been connected to shelters, with more than 750 now living in permanent, affordable housing, Williams-Isom said.