Council Bill Requires Mental Health Services Availability for Families in Shelters

On March 14, 2023, Mayor Eric Adams signs Local Law 35 of 2023. The new law was originally introduced as Int. No. 522 on June 16, 2022, by Council Member Erik Bottcher. This law requires mental health professionals to be available in each Department of Homeless Services shelter that serves families with children. The bill would require a ratio of one full-time mental health professional for every 50 families.


City Planning Hears Testimony on Expansion of Mental Health Treatment Facility

The proposed rezoning would facilitate the expansion of a mental health treatment facility to include low-income affordable units for individuals and families. On June 21, 2017, the City Planning Commission held a public hearing on an application for multiple land use actions to facilitate the enlargement and reconstruction of an existing eight-story building by integrating a 10-story horizontal expansion onto an abutting parking lot and three-story addition to the northern portion of the existing building. … <Read More>


DOB and Health Dept Respond to Overdoses in Construction Industry

On October 30, 2023, the Department of Buildings announced a new initiative to help combat overdoses among construction workers. A recent Department of Health survey Health revealed that construction workers led occupational groups in overdose deaths. In response to the Department of Health’s survey, both the Health and Building Departments are taking action to address the dangers of substance abuse and highlight the tools provided by the City to construction workers. Staff from both agencies … <Read More>



Mayor, Health + Hospitals Announce New Initiative to Connect Homeless Patients with Affordable, Supportive Housing

On November 3, Mayor Eric Adams and NYC Health + Hospitals President Dr. Mitchell Katz announced a new initiative to connect homeless healthcare patients with affordable housing and support. The initiative, “Housing for Health,” plans to create nearly 650 new homes over the next five years, all of which will be affordable and situated near NYC Health + Hospital locations.


City Breaks Ground on New Public Health Lab in Harlem

The new facility is expected to open in 2026. On July 6, 2022, the New York City Economic Development Corporation (EDC) announced that city officials broke ground on the new NYC Public Health Laboratory, located adjacent to the Harlem Hospital complex on West 137th Street in Manhattan. While the (EDC) is managing the building’s construction, the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) will operate the laboratory upon its completion.