Council members and advocates urge expedited closure of Rikers, unveil package to expand supportive housing and reentry services

Council Member Carlina Rivera, flanked by advocates and people with lived experience, urged faster action to close Rikers Island and outlined a set of bills and budget proposals intended to expand supportive housing, speed case processing and provide services for people returning from jail.

Rivera said the council is advancing legislation and budget proposals that "expand mental health and supportive housing services, strengthen alternatives to incarceration, speed up court cases, and actually require real leadership with an office of coordinator for Rikers closure who would report directly to the mayor." She identified Intro 1100, which would amend supportive housing eligibility to include recent justice involvement, and Intro 1240, which would establish a holistic needs-assessment program with the individual's consent.

The proposals were presented at a City Council news event that included comments from Helen Taylor, a resident who credited supportive housing and services at Fortune Society with helping her transition off the street; Stanley Richards, president and CEO of the Fortune Society and a member of the Independent Rikers Commission; Council Member Rita Joseph, who introduced Intro 1240; Prince Forsett…