Mamdani reverses City Hall’s opposition to Bronx supportive housing project

Mayor Zohran Mamdani has done a significant about-face on the contentious Just Home supportive housing project, announcing that his administration will no longer oppose the 83 new apartments set to be built on the campus of Jacobi Medical Center in the Bronx.

In a press conference, Mamdani cited Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s legacy as he announced that the project was not just about affordable housing, but about advancing justice for those who need it most – particularly New Yorkers released from Rikers Island with complex medical conditions such as cancer or heart failure. The Just Home project includes 58 units of supportive housing and two dozen low-income apartments.

The nonprofit Fortune Society will oversee the site, which has sparked controversy among some local residents who oppose housing individuals with criminal records at the Jacobi Medical Center location.

However, supporters argue that the approach being taken by the Just Home project has shown success in reducing hospitalizations and helping tenants avoid reincarceration. This model is similar to Castle Gardens, a Fortune Society-run development in West Harlem that combines supportive housing with on-site services and civic uses.

Mamdani's reversal marks a stark contrast from his predecessor Mayor Eric Adams' stance on the project, which shifted just ahead of the 2025 election. Despite initial opposition from Adams, Mamdani remains committed to his campaign platform of decarceration, tenant protection, and expanding non-police responses to public health and homelessness.

The decision comes as a relief to supporters of the project, who framed the recent Council vote as a necessary step towards increasing housing access for vulnerable residents.
 
omg i'm so stoked about this news!!! mayor mamdani is literally changing lives with the just home project 🤩! it's not just about building apartments, it's about giving people a second chance and supporting them in their journey to recovery ❤️. those individuals released from rikers island need our help and understanding, and it's amazing that the fortune society is leading the way 🙌. let's keep spreading love and kindness, one affordable housing project at a time 💖
 
I'm glad they finally did it 🙌. I mean, come on, 83 apartments is nothing! Back in my day we had people sleeping on the streets and no one cared 🤷‍♂️. At least now there's hope that these guys can get back on their feet without ending up back at Rikers 🚫. It's all about giving people a second chance, right? I remember when my cousin was in jail and he had to move out of his family's house 'cause the rent was too high 😔. That's what this project is all about - giving people a place to call home and not just throwin' 'em out like they're trash 💸. Kudos to Mayor Mamdani for finally seein' it through 🙏.
 
🤔 so it's kinda cool that Mayor Mamdani is having a change of heart on the Just Home project 🙌 it makes sense too, like Dr King said, housing is about advancing justice for those who need it most 💕 especially when you consider people gettin outta Rikers with serious health issues and no place to go 🤝 the fact that Fortune Society's model has worked in other places like Castle Gardens gives me hope that this one'll do too 👍
 
I'm low-key stoked that Mayor Mamdani is finally on board with the Just Home project 🙌💚 it's about time we see some real change in this city. The fact that he's citing MLK's legacy as the reason for his decision is pretty powerful – it shows that he's willing to listen and adapt when it comes to making a positive impact on people's lives.

I've been following this project for a while now, and I gotta say, the data looks promising 📊👍 The fact that they're able to reduce hospitalizations and help tenants avoid reincarceration is exactly what we need more of in this city. And it's not just about the numbers – it's about the people who will be benefiting from this project.

I'm also loving how Mayor Mamdani is staying true to his campaign promises 🤩 decarceration, tenant protection... these are issues that matter to so many people in this city. It's not always easy to make tough decisions or take a stand, but it sounds like he's willing to put the needs of his constituents first.

I'm curious to see how this project will actually play out on the ground 🤔 but for now, I'm just gonna keep being optimistic about the future of housing in this city 🌟
 
🌟 This is such a huge win for affordable housing and supporting those in need! 🙏 Mayor Mamdani's change of heart shows that even small steps can make a big difference. 💪 The fact that he's tying this project to Dr. King's legacy is amazing, it's so inspiring to see people making a positive impact on their community like this. 🌈 I'm also loving the non-profit Fortune Society's model with on-site services and civic uses - it sounds like a game-changer for reducing hospitalizations and helping people avoid reincarceration! 💊
 
I was worried about the future of this project 🤔... but then I read that Mayor Mamdani's change of heart is all about advancing justice 🌟. It shows us that even when we think we've taken a stand, sometimes we need to re-evaluate and put the needs of others first ❤️. We can't just think about what's "popular" or easy – we have to consider what's truly right. And it sounds like this project is making a real difference in people's lives 💖. Sometimes it takes courage to admit when we're wrong, but it's even more courageous to do something new and make a positive impact 🌟...
 
🤯 just got the tea on the Just Home project and I'm low-key excited 🎉! So, Mayor Mamdani is finally listening to the ppl and doing what's right 👍. The whole Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. vibe was a nice touch 💼, but let's be real, it's about time for this project to move forward 🕒. Those Rikers Island folks need a safe haven, especially with their complex medical conditions 🏥. And btw, I'm not surprised Adams was all over it before the election 🤷‍♀️... politicians always do what's best for their campaign 🎉. Glad Mamdani stuck to his guns on decarceration and tenant protection 💪!
 
just saw this news about that housing project in the Bronx 🤗 and I gotta say, I'm all for it! 83 new apartments is like, super needed for people struggling with addiction or medical issues 🏥💉. It's not just about building more homes, it's about giving ppl a chance to rebuild their lives 👍. And I love how the Fortune Society is behind it, they do amazing work in helping ppl get back on their feet 💪. Some folks might've been worried 'bout ppl with criminal records living there, but honestly, it sounds like this model's already shown some real results 📈. Can't wait to see more developments like this happen! 👏
 
idk what took u guys so long to come around 😂 i mean i get it mamdani is all about decarceration and tenant protection now, but can we pls just give the guy a break? he had some serious opposition from local residents and then adams just bailed on it like 2 mins before the election 🤦‍♂️ and now mamdani is all about advancing justice for those in need? that's cool i guess...anyway, glad to see its moving forward tho 💕
 
"You can't go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending." 🙏 - C.S. Lewis 💡 The fact that Mayor Zohran Mamdani is reversing his stance on the Just Home project shows a willingness to adapt and prioritize the needs of vulnerable residents. It's a step in the right direction for those who need support with complex medical conditions, and a nod to the importance of community-driven solutions. 🌟
 
🙌 finally some progress on this contentious issue! It's amazing how much a change in administration can shift the narrative around the Just Home project. I think it's awesome that Mayor Mamdani is standing by his commitment to decarceration and tenant protection - it's about time we start seeing real action on these issues.

The fact that Fortune Society will be overseeing the site is also a huge win, given their track record with Castle Gardens. It's clear that they have a solid understanding of what works in supporting vulnerable residents and preventing recidivism.

I do think it's interesting to note how this decision came about - just ahead of the election, no less! You'd think politicians would be more concerned with making headlines than actually doing what's best for their constituents. But hey, sometimes that's just politics for you 😏.

Either way, I'm glad to see some common sense being applied here and that vulnerable residents are going to get the support they need. It's about time! 💪
 
I'm seeing a lot of positivity around this change in stance on the Just Home project 🙌. It's great that Mayor Mamdani is putting his words into action and following through on his campaign promises, especially when it comes to decarceration and tenant protection. I think this shift also highlights the importance of community-led initiatives like the Fortune Society, which has shown success in providing supportive housing with a holistic approach 🏥. It's awesome that they're prioritizing the needs of New Yorkers who have been released from Rikers Island with complex medical conditions – it's about time we start addressing these systemic issues rather than just treating symptoms 💊.
 
I'm still not convinced about this Just Home project 🤔. I mean, 83 new apartments sounds great on paper, but have they considered the long-term costs? What's gonna happen when these units become available and nobody shows up to take 'em? Or what if some of these tenants start causing problems with their medical conditions? 🏥 The city can't just keep throwing money at this without thinking about the bigger picture. And another thing, how is a nonprofit like Fortune Society even qualified to oversee something like this? Shouldn't we be worried about private interests getting involved too? 😒
 
man... this is some good news 🙌 I remember back in my day when affordable housing was a huge issue in NYC, it seemed like there was always a new development that got shut down due to "community opposition" 😒 but to see the mayor finally come around on this one after all the controversy is really something. It's great to hear that The Fortune Society is running the show here and has some actual experience under their belt 🙏 those guys have been doing this for years, so I trust they'll do a good job with the project.

And it's awesome that Mayor Mamdani is staying true to his word on decarceration and supporting vulnerable residents. That's what we need more of - people in power who actually care about helping others, not just making headlines 📰
 
🙌 The city's finally makin' some sense with this Just Home project 🤝. Back in my day, we used to just kick people out on the street when they got in trouble with the law... but that was never gonna solve anything 😔. This new approach is all about helpin' folks get back on their feet after bein' incarcerated and comin' down with some serious health issues 💉. It's like they say, "You can't just house people, you gotta give 'em a place to heal" 🏥. I'm lovin' the way Mayor Mamdani's changin' his tune on this one... it's about time we started lookin' out for our most vulnerable citizens 👥.
 
I'm so relieved that Mayor Zohran Mamdani has come around on the Just Home project 😌. I mean, it's about time they showed some compassion and support to people who really need it. Those poor folks released from Rikers Island with serious health issues deserve a second chance 🤕. The fact that this project is not just about affordable housing but also about advancing justice is amazing 💖. It's not rocket science, folks – we should be helping each other out instead of making things harder for ourselves.

I'm loving how Mayor Mamdani is staying true to his campaign promises 🙌. Decarceration and tenant protection are super important issues that need addressing. And let's be real, having a supportive community can make all the difference in someone's life 💪. It's a win-win situation! The Fortune Society is doing some amazing work with Castle Gardens, so it's no surprise they're taking the lead on this project 🙏. Thanks, Mayor Mamdani 👏 for showing your commitment to making New York City a better place 🌆.
 
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