Quality of life is about how our neighborhoods feel day to day. Calm streets. Responsive services. Help that arrives before problems turn into crises.

I’ve spent my career on the front lines as an EMT, firefighter, and police officer. I’ve seen that many quality-of-life issues are not about crime, but about untreated mental illness, substance use, and systems that fail to intervene early. I believe real safety comes from prevention. That means investing in mental health and substance-use care, strengthening community-centered public safety, and supporting the parks, arts, and small businesses that keep our neighborhoods connected and livable.

Safety should feel steady, not scary. The government should work before emergencies happen.

Housing stability is about dignity, prevention, and keeping communities whole.

I’ve seen how housing instability leads to emergency calls, hospital visits, and preventable crises. Seniors aging without support. Residents with serious mental illness cycling through shelters and hospitals. Long-time neighbors pushed out by sudden rent increases. I support protecting permanently affordable housing, including Mitchell-Lama, and improving coordination between housing, healthcare, and social services. Stable housing reduces emergencies, improves health, and strengthens neighborhoods.

Housing is not just about affordability. It is one of the most effective ways to protect quality of life.

Climate change is already affecting Lower Manhattan. Flooding, extreme weather, and aging infrastructure threaten homes, small businesses, and essential services.

I support urgent investment in flood protection and climate-resilient infrastructure that protects residents, workers, and local businesses. Climate planning must reduce risk, strengthen neighborhood stability, and avoid displacement.

Resilience means planning ahead and protecting people, not reacting after systems fail.