Neighborhood Safety Initiatives

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives collage

Building a model for the future by reimagining public safety at New York City housing sites across the five boroughs.

Neighborhood Safety Initiatives supports the implementation of NeighborhoodStat (NSTAT), a resident-driven community organizing initiative within Mayor’s Action Plan for Neighborhood Safety (MAP) is a comprehensive strategy to enhance public safety and strengthen community well-being in 30 public housing developments across New York City. Funding from the Fund for Public Housing has allowed Neighborhood Safety Initiatives to increase large scale capital investments in the Bronx at Patterson and Castle Hill Houses. Funding from the Bureau of Justice Assistance has allowed us to increase investments at Wagner Houses and extend the Center’s community mobilization and placekeeping model to Jefferson and Johnson Houses to address gang and gun violence in East Harlem.

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Our Impact

  • 365 NYCHA residents across five boroughs make up the resident teams led by  Neighborhood Safety Initiatives

  • 60,000 NYCHA residents reached

  • $550K in funds accessed by teams to complete resident-driven projects to improve public safety.

Kisha, Resident of Tompkins Houses
“I’m passionate about the beautification of Tompkins because it matters. It matters. It really matters. Not just for the beautification but the upliftment for the people. ”
Kisha Resident of Tompkins Houses

Publications & Digital Media

  • Publication

    Fact Sheet: Housing Justice

    Housing is a human right and the foundation for strong communities. Access to a safe and affordable home creates economic and community stability. This fact sheet highlights the challenges and how our staff are working to prevent evictions, help landlords address health hazards, and increase tenant financial and legal empowerment. By addressing issues early, we keep people safely housed and avoid legal system involvement that can affect employment, family security, and future access to stable housing.

    Access to Justice

  • Video

    Changemakers in Action: Jukie Tsai

    A lifelong New Yorker, Jukie Tsai’s work with the Center has taken him all over the city. “I’m still surprised by how massive this city is and how many wonderful communities there are.” As a planner with our Neighborhood Safety Initiatives program, Jukie currently works with residents in public housing to co-create meaningful community change through tenant-directed projects including building community gardens, designing lighting improvements, and creating public artwork. “There’s so much expertise among residents about what is going on and needs to be addressed.

    Arts and Justice, Community Justice, Engaging Communities, Reducing Violence

  • Publication

    Fact Sheet: Neighborhood Safety Intiatives

    This fact sheet describes Neighborhood Safety Initiatives, a program of the Center for Justice Innovation, seeks to improve public safety in New York City by investing in residents, transforming public spaces, and influencing policy. The program provides training to local residents, agency partners and key community stakeholders in community organizing, human-centered design, and re-envisioning public spaces to promote wellbeing. Residents propose tangible solutions to challenges and learn how to access the resources needed to carry them out and support community safety.

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News

  • Growing Safety in Green Spaces

    Green spaces are in short supply in historically marginalized neighborhoods, but investing in them makes for safer, healthier communities.

  • Snapshots from Summer: Community and Connection

    Summer in New York brings people out into the neighborhood for fun, joy, and connection. As the season draws to a close, take a look at some summer events we hosted to share resources with the community and build relationships.

  • Castle Hill Houses breaks ground on new space featuring dog park and barbecue area

    August 5, 2024
    Bronx Times

    Community members and local leaders gathered to celebrate breaking new ground on the first-ever dog park set to be built on a NYCHA campus. More than 800 residents of the Castle Hill Houses in the Bronx voted on the investment, which will include the dog park, a new barbecue area, and increased access to green space for the development. The project is led by Green Space Connections, a collaboration between NYCHA residents, our Neighborhood Safety Initiatives team, the Public Housing Community Fund, and Design Trust for Public Space. It is expected to be completed in Spring 2025. "What really draws me to this project is the resident engagement that brought it, the fact that we are really listening to our residents and producing something that you chose for yourself," NYCHA's Eva Trimble told Bronx Times.

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Looking to Implement a Program in Your Neighborhood?

We work with communities across the country implement programs that reduce gun violence. Find out more about how we can help you.
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