The Bronx – A Borough in Need of Investment, Oversight, and Accountability

The Bronx - A Borough in Need of Investment, Oversight, and Accountability

A Rich History, A Struggling Present

The Bronx is a borough of resilience, culture, and economic potential, yet it remains one of the most neglected areas in New York City. Despite being the birthplace of hip-hop, home to Yankee Stadium, and a cultural powerhouse, the borough has long struggled with high poverty rates, failing infrastructure, rising crime, and underfunded public services.

With over 1.4 million residents, the Bronx deserves stronger fiscal oversight, smarter investments, and real accountability from city leadership. For too long, city government has mismanaged resources, allowing economic disparities to widen while ignoring the needs of working-class families.

It’s time for a financial watchdog who will ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that the Bronx receives its fair share of city funding.

Economic Disparities & Lack of Investment

The Bronx has some of the highest unemployment and poverty rates in the city, yet it consistently receives less economic development funding than Manhattan and Brooklyn. Decades of government mismanagement have left the borough with:

Underfunded small businesses, despite the Bronx having a thriving entrepreneurial spirit.
Few job creation initiatives, leaving many residents struggling with underemployment.
Neglected commercial districts, while other boroughs see revitalization projects and tax incentives.

The Bronx should not be an afterthought in NYC’s economic development plans.

What Needs to Be Done:

Audit economic development spending in NYC to ensure the Bronx gets fair funding.
Push for business-friendly policies that help local entrepreneurs thrive.
Demand transparency in city-funded projects, preventing corruption and ensuring money goes where it’s needed most.

Affordable Housing & Gentrification

Housing in the Bronx is in crisis mode—rents continue to rise, new developments push out longtime residents, and public housing remains in horrific conditions due to city neglect.

The Bronx has some of the highest eviction rates in NYC, yet tenant protection programs remain underfunded.
The New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) has failed to maintain public housing, leaving residents with broken elevators, mold infestations, and rodent problems.
Gentrification is displacing longtime residents, while luxury developments receive massive tax breaks.

What Needs to Be Done:

Audit NYCHA’s spending and maintenance budgets to uncover waste and corruption.
Demand accountability for landlords who fail to maintain rent-stabilized housing.
Ensure affordable housing projects prioritize Bronx residents, rather than catering to outside developers.

The Bronx deserves safe, affordable, and well-maintained housing for all residents.

Crime & Public Safety Concerns

Crime rates in the Bronx have risen in recent years, and residents are increasingly concerned about safety. While major crimes fluctuate, many Bronx neighborhoods suffer from:

Increased shootings and gang violence, particularly in underserved communities.
Slow police response times, leaving residents feeling unprotected.
Lack of mental health and social services, which contribute to public safety issues.

Despite these challenges, the Bronx is often overlooked when it comes to public safety funding. More resources go to Manhattan, even though the Bronx has some of the highest crime rates in the city.

What Needs to Be Done:

Ensure NYPD funding is allocated fairly across boroughs to improve response times in the Bronx.
Increase investment in community programs that reduce crime and provide economic opportunities.
Audit public safety spending to prevent mismanagement and ensure resources go where they’re needed most.

The Bronx deserves safe streets and fair law enforcement policies that protect its residents without over-policing communities.

Failing Schools & Educational Disparities

Bronx students face some of the toughest educational conditions in NYC. Underfunded schools, overcrowded classrooms, and a lack of resources make it harder for students to succeed.

Many Bronx schools lack basic infrastructure, with leaking roofs, outdated textbooks, and inadequate technology.
The borough has some of the lowest graduation rates in NYC, yet receives fewer educational investments than wealthier areas.
Special education programs are severely underfunded, leaving vulnerable students without necessary support.

Education should be a top priority, yet the Bronx is consistently left behind.

What Needs to Be Done:

Audit NYC Department of Education funding to ensure Bronx schools receive their fair share.
Demand accountability for underperforming schools, ensuring they have the resources to improve.
Invest in vocational training and STEM programs to prepare Bronx students for the modern workforce.

The Bronx’s future depends on quality education and real opportunities for its youth.

Public Transportation: Overcrowded, Underfunded, and Neglected

Public transit is a daily struggle for Bronx residents who rely on the subway and buses to commute to work and school. Despite high ridership numbers, the Bronx receives some of the worst transit services in NYC.

Delays, overcrowding, and service cuts plague the subway system, particularly on the 2, 4, 5, and 6 trains.
Bus routes are slow and inefficient, yet remain one of the only options for many residents.
Transit deserts leave many Bronx neighborhoods without adequate subway access.

Public transportation is a lifeline for the Bronx, yet it remains one of the most neglected boroughs when it comes to MTA funding.

What Needs to Be Done:

Audit MTA spending on the Bronx transit system to determine where money is being wasted.
Advocate for improved subway service and station upgrades, particularly in transit deserts.
Demand bus system improvements, ensuring faster and more reliable service for commuters.

No Bronx resident should have to wait an hour for a bus or be crammed into an overcrowded, unreliable subway.

Healthcare & Hospital Funding

The Bronx has some of the worst health outcomes in NYC, yet public hospitals and clinics remain understaffed, underfunded, and overwhelmed.

The borough has one of the highest rates of asthma in the country due to pollution and poor air quality.
Hospitals are overcrowded, with long wait times and insufficient resources.
Mental health services remain scarce, leaving many residents without support.

Healthcare access should not be determined by zip code—the Bronx deserves quality medical care just like every other borough.

What Needs to Be Done:

Audit NYC’s healthcare funding to ensure the Bronx receives fair investment.
Increase hospital funding to improve staffing, reduce wait times, and expand services.
Expand community health programs, particularly for asthma prevention and mental health services.

Healthcare is a human right, and Bronx residents should not be forced to travel across the city for quality care.

The Bronx Deserves Accountability & Investment

For too long, the Bronx has been treated as an afterthought in New York City’s budget and policy decisions. Residents have watched as other boroughs receive billions in funding while their communities are left behind.

This must change.

Every dollar spent in the Bronx should be tracked and accounted for.
Corruption and wasteful spending must be eliminated.
City leadership must prioritize real investments that improve quality of life.

The Bronx is a borough of hardworking people, cultural richness, and untapped potential—but it needs leaders who will fight for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and smart investments.

It’s time for real oversight, real accountability, and real solutions for the Bronx.