New York City Mayor Eric Adams delivered his fourth State of the City address at the historic Apollo Theater in Harlem on Thursday, January 9th, outlining an ambitious agenda to make New York City the best place in the nation to raise a family. With a focus on safety, affordability, and improved public services, Adams reviewed significant achievements from the past year while setting forth new initiatives to address challenges facing city residents. The mayor emphasized his commitment to ensuring that New York City remains a safe, prosperous, and welcoming environment for families.
Mayor Adams said, “In the past year alone, our administration passed historic housing legislation, shattered the record for the most jobs in city history, drove major crimes down, and did so much more to build a family-friendly city. As a result of all these efforts, the state of our city is strong.”He continued, “My mother never stopped fighting to provide her family with a better life, and that is why I will never stop fighting to do the same for you.”
Achievements in Crime Reduction and Safety Measures
Under Mayor Adams’ administration, crime rates have seen significant declines. In 2024, shootings decreased by 7.3%, homicides by 3.6%, and transit crimes by 5.4%. The administration successfully seized over 20,000 illegal firearms and cracked down on illegal motorized vehicles. Additionally, Adams’ team targeted illegal smoke shops and car theft, achieving a 72% reduction in lithium-ion battery fire deaths. For 2025, Adams pledged to continue investing in community safety through a $485 million blueprint focusing on mentorship, mental health support, and job training for at-risk youth.
Tackling Homelessness and Mental Health Crises
A key focus of Adams’ speech was combating homelessness and supporting mental health. The administration has already transitioned over 8,000 individuals from subways to shelters and helped 18,500 households secure stable housing. To bolster these efforts, Adams announced a $650 million investment to add 900 new Safe Haven beds and open a specialized facility for individuals facing severe mental illness. He also introduced a pilot program aimed at preventing homelessness for expectant parents by offering rapid rehousing support.
Housing Expansion and the “City of Yes for Families” Initiative
Since 2022, the Adams administration has financed over 79,300 housing units, making record progress in affordable housing. Building on this momentum, Adams introduced the “City of Yes for Families” initiative, aimed at creating more family-friendly neighborhoods. Plans include constructing 80,000 new homes over 15 years, developing multi-generational housing, and advancing key public housing projects. Notably, the administration will collaborate with the New York Public Library to build 800 mixed-income housing units alongside a new library in Manhattan.
Making New York More Affordable for Families
Adams outlined several initiatives designed to ease the financial burden on working-class families. Building on past successes, such as expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit and helping 25,000 residents reduce their debt, Adams called on state legislators to support his “Axe the Tax for the Working Class” proposal, which would cut city income taxes for over 582,000 families. Additionally, he announced a partnership to enroll public servants in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program, aiming to erase $360 million in student debt for 100,000 city employees.
Enhancing Education and Youth Opportunities
Committed to improving education, Adams expanded the NYC Reads program to all K-5 schools and introduced NYC Solves to enhance math learning. In 2024, the city added over 11,000 new school seats and launched FutureReadyNYC, providing students with work experience in emerging industries. For 2025, Adams set a goal to ensure every student learns financial literacy by 2030. The initiative includes deploying financial educators and opening innovative bank branch pilots in underserved schools.
Investing in Public Spaces and Family Well-Being
Adams reaffirmed his commitment to public spaces by pledging additional cleaning shifts for over 100 parks. He also announced plans to expand swim classes for 18,000 students in underserved communities and double the reach of the city’s Fatherhood Initiative, which supports father-child relationships. By enhancing recreational spaces and supporting families, Adams aims to improve the quality of life across all boroughs.
Mayor Adams concluded his address by reiterating his determination to fight for New Yorkers, drawing inspiration from his mother’s struggle to provide a better life for her family. Despite facing political challenges, including a federal investigation, Adams remains steadfast in his vision to transform New York City into a safer, more affordable, and family-friendly metropolis.
Adams said, “There is no denying that many New Yorkers — especially our families — are still anxious about the future. We have to make sure that the greatest city in the world is also the greatest place to raise a family. From keeping young people safe to tackling street homelessness, from building more family-friendly neighborhoods to saving New Yorkers millions of dollars, the initiatives we laid out today will make New York City the safest place to raise a family, the most affordable place to raise a family, and the best place to raise a family.”
