2026 New York Fiscal Budget brings new initiatives
The New York City Council approved their 2026 fiscal budget this past weekend. The budget encompasses allocating funding to the programs and services that New Yorkers use. One item that stood out was the budget for the empowerment of Black communities, where $1 million were allocated
Funding for the empowerment of Black communities is located in the youth services section of the fiscal budget. The initiative will be funded by the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), with over $22 million total being allocated for the section — $7 million more than what was allocated for the 2025 fiscal year budget because of added initiatives this year.
The 2026 fiscal year will be the first year that the empowering of Black communities will be funded, along with two other initiatives within the Youth Services section – LGBTQIA+ Youth Support & Services and Artificial Intelligence Community Engagement. Funding for Black communities will help address disparities across various aspects of life for Black New Yorkers, according to the Fiscal Year 2026 Budget Adjustment Summary. Despite being located in the Youth Services section, funding for Black communities is meant to target Black New Yorkers of all ages, not just youth.
The budget summary includes a list of programs and the City Councilmembers who proposed funding for each. One name that appeared next to multiple programs aimed at supporting Black communities and youth was Council Member Yusef Salaam of District 9. Salaam provided a statement emphasizing the importance of the funding.
“Investing in our youth is a priority as reflected in the budget. We are living in challenging times, and our young people are bombarded with so much. It is our responsibility to keep them safe, secure, and loved. As the Public Safety Chair on the City Council, I focus on safety not just for Harlem, but for the entire city. It is important that we invest and support initiatives that contribute to the betterment of all in Harlem with particular emphasis on youth. Funding initiatives which deal with systemic challenges our community has faced that empower our youth is and will always be a focus.”
The 2026 budget has taken effect since the beginning of the new fiscal year on July 1. With the new budget implemented, Black communities will have greater access to programs ranging from access to mental health services to safe spaces for the youth.
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