Mary’s Guarantee

Mary’s Guarantee, a transformative plan to invest in Rochester families by ensuring guaranteed income, guaranteed housing, guaranteed youth funding, and guaranteed emergency response. This initiative prioritizes direct support to those who need it most. Mary knows Rochester will thrive when we invest in our people, our neighborhoods, and our future. We can’t wait for trickle-down promises, new residents, or outside investment. We have everything we need right here—we just need to invest in us.

Mary's platform isn’t radical. It’s responsible—and it works.

Guaranteed Income

Mary will expand Rochester’s GBI program, providing families with the stability to meet their needs and build a better future—because financial security is the foundation of opportunity.

How it works: Each student will receive a monthly stipend, with amounts based on available funding. Implementation will start with elementary grades and expand over time.

Why it works: Studies show families spend guaranteed income on essentials—like food, rent, utilities, winter coats, and school supplies. No-strings-attached cash gives them the power and flexibility to meet their children’s real, everyday needs.

How it will be funded: Providing a monthly stipend for one year to 22,000 economically disadvantaged students would cost $33 million—the same amount the Evans administration requested from New York State to build just 75 homes over three years. Mary will prioritize GBI in the city budget and seek state funding and philanthropic partnerships to make it a reality.

Guaranteed Housing

Every Rochester resident will have access to safe, affordable housing.

How it works: Mary will implement a Housing First model, solving homelessness through permanent housing with support over shelters. At the same time, we will rapidly expand truly affordable housing—including starter homes: small, affordable, flexible homes designed to grow with a family over time, creating a pathway to stability through ownership.

Why it works: Everyone deserves a stable foundation—whether they’re unhoused and need immediate support, or a working family looking to buy their first home. By combining a Housing First model with a rapid expansion of starter homes, we meet people where they are and create real pathways out of crisis and into stability. It’s about dignity, opportunity, and building a Rochester where everyone has a place to call home—no matter their starting point.

How it will be funded: Rochester is already spending millions on housing—but too much of it benefits developers, not residents. Projects that cost $500,000 per unit are unsustainable. We need to do more with what we have. Mary will redirect existing housing development funds while also securing state support and non-profit partnerships to build starter homes, acquire, and rehabilitate truly affordable housing. A plan with benchmarks will track progress.

Guaranteed funding for youth

No afterschool, summer, or sports program will go underfunded.

How it works: Mary will fully fund proactive programs that support our youth—including afterschool programs, summer jobs, sports, mentorship, violence interruption, and social emotional learning. These programs provide structure, connection, and opportunity—and will be available in every neighborhood.

Why it works: When young people have access to guidance, purpose, and support, they flourish. These programs are proven to reduce violence, improve school outcomes, and build long-term community safety. Prevention works—and every child deserves a real chance.

How it will be funded: Mary will make youth programs a top budget priority by redirecting city funds toward evidence-based prevention and expanding the services and hours of our R-Centers and libraries. She’ll also pursue state youth development grants, educational support funds, and philanthropic partnerships—ensuring we invest in our children’s potential

Guaranteed Response

Mary will ensure when we call for help, we get the help we need.

How it works: Mary will scale our existing Community Responder Programs to meet the needs of our residents. Police will focus on urgent calls, like crimes in progress. Trained professionals will respond to mental health crises, minor offenses, and quality-of-life issues—making sure people get the right kind of help.

Why it works: This model reduces the burden on police, lowers the risk of escalation, and connects residents to the right response at the right time.

How it will be funded: Community responder programs are more cost-effective than traditional public safety measures. Mary will reallocate funding saved from reduced police overtime and pursue support through grants, Medicaid waivers, State Opioid Response funds, and workforce development dollars to build a well-trained, community-based response team that reflects and serves our neighborhoods.