Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh laid out his 2022 city budget proposal on Thursday.

Tenant safety has been top of mind for many city residents ever since a 93-year-old woman was murdered at Skyline Apartments. Walsh is hoping to improve life in apartment complexes across the city by creating a new code enforcement unit.

“We’ve used every tool in the toolkit and we’ve also acknowledged that we need to find new tools. We need to do more,” said Walsh.

The unit is called HOME — High Occupancy Monitoring and Enforcement. The budget puts money toward hiring new staff in code enforcement and the fire department to focus on monitoring housing conditions.

HOME will create housing initiatives, improve affordable housing, and help tenants and landlords in need.

“I think there will be more visible activity at these properties," Walsh said. "I think you’ll see city staff there more often again. We’ve spent a lot of time at the Skyline and other properties, but I think you’ll see a more consistent and physical presence of city staff."

In addition to hiring more firefighters, the city wants to hire a new police class. The budget cites that increased retirement has made a dent in staffing.

“We had to strike that right balance that even as we’re adding additional costs that were doing it in a sustainable way,” said Walsh.

Walsh said the Syracuse Police Department budget is unchanged, but has money going toward reform efforts, crime and safety programs, and special details for gun violence suppression, street racing, and fireworks. The city is also bringing back ShotSpotter, which tracks gunfire through audio.

"We felt that this was the right time with the federal investment to right-size our budget in a way that gives us the ability to deliver services our residents deserve,” said Walsh.

The budget will also help the city better enforce property code violations. Staff will be able to charge fines quicker and people will be able to pay tickets online.