The Fortune Society Responds to the NYC Council’s Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget Response

(New York, NY)—The Fortune Society issued the following statement in response to the New York City Council’s FY 2026 Preliminary Budget Response:

“We commend New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, Finance Committee Chair Justin Brannan, Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala, and their City Council colleagues for their leadership in unveiling a Fiscal Year 2026 Preliminary Budget Response that displays a commitment to equity, justice, and the well-being of all New Yorkers.

We are particularly grateful for the Council’s targeted investments in critical areas that align with our mission to support justice-involved individuals and promote community safety. We applaud the restoration of $8.9 million in proposed cuts to Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) programs and $8 million in proposed cuts to reentry services. These programs are vital to promoting desistance, providing people with pathways to stability, and ensuring that incarceration is not the default solution for those in need of support. By reversing these cuts, the Council is reaffirming its commitment to evidence-based solutions that prioritize rehabilitation over punishment.

The significant increase in funding for Justice Involved Supportive Housing (JISH) is another transformative step forward. The allocation of $26.6 million will help ensure that individuals leaving Rikers Island have access to stable housing and supportive services, which are essential for successful reintegration into society and reducing homelessness among justice-involved individuals.

Additionally, we commend the Council’s decision to increase the budget for the Commission on Civil and Human Rights (CCHR) to $21 million while exempting it from the City hiring freeze. This investment will enable the CCHR to educate the public on critical laws such as Fair Chance for Housing and enforce protections that ensure equitable access to housing and employment. These measures are pivotal in dismantling systemic barriers that perpetuate cycles of poverty and marginalization.

The Fortune Society deeply values these investments and recognizes their potential to create lasting change for our communities. We thank the Council for its dedication to building a fairer and more inclusive city and look forward to continuing our partnership with the City Council as we work together toward a safer and more equitable New York City.

About The Fortune Society:

Founded in 1967, The Fortune Society has advocated on criminal justice issues for over five decades and is nationally recognized for developing model programs that help people with criminal justice histories to be assets to their communities. Fortune offers a holistic and integrated “one-stop-shopping” model of service provision. Among the services offered are discharge planning, licensed outpatient substance abuse

and mental health treatment, alternatives to incarceration, HIV/AIDS services, career development and job retention, education, family services, drop-in services and supportive housing as well as lifetime access to aftercare. For more information, visit www.fortunesociety.org.