Chirlane McCray touts increased funding for the mayor's Unity Project

Outside City & State’s Pride Power 50 event Monday evening, a group of activists handed out brochures calling for increased funding for the de Blasio administration’s Unity Project, a multipronged initiative launched last year to better serve LGBT youth. Inside the event, New York City first lady Chirlane McCray told attendees of a development that at least partly addressed the activists’ concerns, in particular their complaint about a lack of shelter beds to serve homeless youth.

“Last month, we announced the first-ever youth shelter serving people up to the age of 24,” McCray said, adding, “But wait, there’s more! Earlier this evening, in partnership with Speaker (Corey) Johnson and the City Council, we expanded that commitment to establish three whole shelters that will better meet the needs of this … community.”

The updated city budget plan will increase funding to $3 million, up from $1 million, in order to expand the Department of Youth and Community Development’s Runaway Homeless Youth program. The deal, part of a handshake agreement between New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Johnson, was relayed to McCray on her way to the event.