December 17, 2013

Policy Briefing Recap: Addressing Poverty in the Next Mayoral Administration

Over half a million New York City children live in poverty.

One in five New York City children lives in a home without enough food.

More than 22,000 New York City children are homeless.

As these numbers show, poverty is a serious and sobering issue in New York City. These numbers also show that the time is ripe to develop new strategies to help struggling children and their families, especially as New York City prepares to welcome a new Mayor into office.

On December 16, 2013, we held a policy briefing that focused on ideas to addressing poverty in the next mayoral administration.  The briefing was held at University Settlement – itself an organization that has been serving and assisting New Yorkers in need for over a century. An audience of more than 100 members, filled with advocates, policy makers, service providers, and concerned citizens, heard from a panel of experts who have dedicated their careers to studying and addressing poverty. Panelists provided valuable insight about the current state of poverty in New York City and existing programs that help families achieve financial security.  The panelists also shared ideas and opportunities for the new administration could to combat poverty.

Speakers included:
•    Mark Levitan, Director of Poverty Research, New York City Center for Economic Opportunity
•    Irwin Garfinkel, Mitchell I. Ginsberg Professor of Contemporary Urban Problems, Columbia University School of Social Work
•    Haidee Cabusora, Director of Policy & Advocacy, The Financial Clinic
•    Lori McNeil, Director of Research & Policy, Urban Justice Center’s Safety Net Project

As part of his presentation, Mark Levitan discussed the work of Mayor Bloomberg’s Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO) initiatives aimed at addressing poverty. You can download the CEO’s latest report examining how tax credits, income supports, and other factors influence the poverty rate in New York City, as well as view the panelists’ power point presentations from the policy briefing shown below.

Child Poverty in NYC – Center for Economic Opportunity

Reducing Poverty in NYC – Columbia Population Research Center

Addressing Poverty in the Next Mayoral Administration – The Financial Clinic

Solutions to Poverty – Urban Justice Center (Safety Net Project)

Tags
Next Mayoral Administration, Poverty, Economic Security

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