It’s time for our leaders to step up and take action now to address New Yorkers’ concerns about the homelessness and mental health crisis facing our city.

During Keith’s tenure in the Council, he was praised for “showing us how to treat the homeless like neighbors rather than enemies,” as described by the New York Times.

As Borough President, he’ll deliver a Marshall Plan on the homelessness and mental health crisis that’s leaving New Yorkers in fear of riding the subway and walking in their neighborhoods:

• Increase the number of mental health beds. Once we get this vulnerable population off the street, we need to invest in the resources necessary to deliver quality care. That means adding mental health beds to meet the demonstrated need.

• Update New York’s involuntary commitment standards. This would ensure more at-risk individuals get the care they need, while simultaneously keeping the broader public safe. The most caring and compassionate way to solve this problem is to get this population the treatment they need rather than being resigned to our streets or subway system without any intervention.

• Fully staff our agencies with outreach workers, so we’re able to make direct contact with 100% of the street homeless population on a regular basis.

• Create better discharge plans to ensure this vulnerable population doesn’t end up back on the street.