Two years ago, as concerns over crime were growing, Gov. Kathy Hochul and newly minted Mayor Eric Adams proudly announced they would confront mental illness and subway homelessness head on.

It funneled state money for more cops and mental health workers to help connect those struggling with mental health issues with help.

On Wednesday, Hochul provided an update to that program.

“I’m really proud to announce that New York City’s 14 of these teams have connected with more than 330 formerly chronically homeless people and have connected them with not just mental health services, but permanent housing,” said Hochul at her Midtown Manhattan office.

Struggling New Yorkers who regularly make the subways their home, stands around 3,000 individuals, according to estimates by Hochul’s office.  

Hochul said the “subway safety” mental health teams are making a difference connecting people with psychiatric assistance and homes.

Alto Watts is formerly homeless, but thanks to the subway safety teams, has found a home.

“I had just gotten out of the hospital after losing my partner. I had nowhere to go and was beyond sad and hopeless,” he said. “Ever since I’ve connected with SOS and with my caseworkers, they’ve helped me so much. I know if I need hope, I can reach out to them and have that support. This means everything to me.”

Conceived in the wake of the death of Michelle Go, who was pushed onto subway tracks, the subway safety program arguably jump started Hochul’s spotlight on mental health. She updated state health regulations Wednesday, requiring hospitals set up aftercare support plans before a psychiatric patient gets discharged.

“They’re getting wraparound services! It’s not just, ‘Oh, we’ve convinced you to go into a home and good luck! You know, we’re all done with you, on the next one!’ No, that’s not how you change lives for the long term,” said Hochul.

But new NYPD statistics show subway crime is up 22% over the last year.

On Tuesday, Adams said he wishes he could add more cops, but he needs more state funding.

“The money that we had for the Subway Safety Plan sunsetted, now we’re going to try to get additional money for that,” Adams said.

Hochul revealed Wednesday, Adams never voiced that request during their Albany-based meeting last month.

“The answer is: I only became aware that he had this request just from news reports. It has not come to us as a budget request,” Hochul said. “I represent the residents of the city as well. I’m very concerned about subway safety. And so we’ll continue to work with the mayor to make sure that we do we have to do.”

The governor also announced soon another seven teams will form and be deployed to other transit lines, such as the Metro-North and Long Island Railroad.