Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso used his fourth State of the Borough address Thursday evening to make one thing clear: he wants Brooklyn to be a place where neighbors can stay healthy, housed and connected, and he is ready to spend to get there. Speaking inside the Brooklyn Museum's Beaux-Arts Court, he rolled out fresh investments in affordable housing, schools and maternal health, promising a mix of capital dollars, grants and partnerships to push his agenda. The crowd in Prospect Heights included city and state officials alongside local cultural figures.
Big numbers and local wins
Reynoso told the audience that his administration has steered tens of millions of dollars into borough priorities, including roughly $30 million for housing, $76 million for schools and $45 million for maternal health. He spotlighted capital funding for new housing construction and said his office has already approved more than $12 million in affordable-housing commitments as part of an updated comprehensive plan. The full breakdown of those investments was detailed by Brooklyn Paper.
Maternal health and family supports
On stage, Reynoso again put maternal care front and center. He cited a Maternal Health Task Force, a community baby-shower fund and his "Born in Brooklyn" baby-box program, all designed to support new parents across the borough. He also highlighted a partnership with Brooklyn College to create a credit-bearing Advanced Certificate in Perinatal Mental Health. Those program details, including the certificate announcement, are outlined on the borough president's website from the Brooklyn Borough President's office.
Schools and special-needs support
Reynoso also focused on students with disabilities. He pointed to a $9.25 million allocation to install sensory rooms in District 75 elementary schools, saying the calming, therapeutic spaces will give students with developmental disabilities a place to regroup when they need it. The investment is described as one of the largest single education allocations his office has made so far, with 18 rooms ready to begin construction immediately, according to reporting by CBS New York.
Tenant protections and policy
On housing policy, Reynoso pointed to legislation aimed at tenants who find themselves forced out of their homes. He and Council Member Crystal Hudson are backing a Tenant Relocation Act that would provide financial help to low-income tenants displaced by demolition, substantial rehabilitation or a change of use in their buildings. The bill was introduced at the City Council "by request of the Brooklyn Borough President," according to the council's legislative record on the New York City Council website.
Culture and the creative economy
Reynoso did not leave out Brooklyn's creative class. He described culture as economic infrastructure and named Colm Dillane of KidSuper as the borough's first Arts Ambassador. He also unveiled the winning design for the 2026 Brooklyn pin and announced Asad Dandia as the next Brooklyn historian. His office plans to fund Coney Island USA to help preserve the Mermaid Parade tradition, a move that nods to the borough's quirkier side. Those cultural announcements were part of the speech coverage in Brooklyn Paper.
Transit: IBX and the bus network
Turning to transit, Reynoso reiterated his full-throated support for the 14-mile Brooklyn-Queens Interborough Express, the proposed rail link that would cut across the outer boroughs. He said Brooklyn is working with state and city partners to speed up improvements to bus service and reliability, another daily concern for residents. Planning work, public outreach and the design timeline for the IBX project are laid out on the MTA project page.
Immigrant support and legal resources
Reynoso closed by turning to the borough's immigrant communities. He announced "Our City, Our Sanctuary," a centralized digital hub for immigrant rights resources, legal assistance and Know-Your-Rights trainings. He also noted that Borough Hall's satellite asylum application help center has already completed thousands of work-authorization applications since opening. Information about the initiative and the new resource hub is posted by the Brooklyn Borough President's office.
