News and Insights is a dedicated source of the latest information and developments in family homelessness, poverty, and education. Make sure to visit this section weekly to stay informed.
September 2024
US food insecurity rate rose to 13.5% in 2023 as government benefits declined and food prices soared (The Conversation)
Across the United States, an increasing number of families are struggling to access enough quality food, with 13.5% of households experiencing food insecurity in 2023, as reported by the United States Department of Agriculture. This is up from 12.8% in 2022, reflecting the effects of rising food and living expenses in the US.
Data from the USDA can be found here: USDA ERS – Key Statistics & Graphics.
August 2024
Adams launches ‘Money in Your Pocket’ benefits initiative (Spectrum News 1)
New York City launched a new initiative called “Money In Your Pocket” to help residents access public benefits. With around 300 volunteers, the program screens New Yorkers in their neighborhoods for benefits like food assistance and rent freezes, providing hands-on support with applications. This initiative could effectively connect more struggling New Yorkers to the resources they need.
Spiking Evictions Renew Calls to Reform NYC Marshals System (City Limits)
The surge in eviction rates in New York City has intensified demands to reform the city’s marshal system. This system has been criticized for its profit-driven model disproportionately impacting vulnerable tenants. In 2023, marshals served more than 13,000 evictions, a significant increase from 5,000 in 2022 and just 268 in 2021. Advocates are pushing for greater transparency and oversight, proposing a shift to having marshals employed as salaried city employees, similar to sheriffs in other cities, to reduce the financial incentives associated with evictions.
The Denver Basic Income Project (NPR)
The Denver Basic Income Project (DBIP) has distributed monthly cash payments to individuals and families experiencing homelessness since the end of 2022 to test the impact of unconditional cash on outcomes in housing and financial wellbeing. In the first year of the study, DBIP found that participants’ who received larger payments were more likely to report being able to pay bills, afford rent, and find employment. More about DBIP’s impact here.
Families flee NYC in droves over child care costs, affordability (Gothamist)
Many families in New York City feel they have no choice but to seek a more affordable life outside the city due to the high cost of living. The rising cost of childcare and housing makes living in NYC unsustainable, especially for low-income families.
Council loses lawsuit over housing voucher program expansion (The City)
A New York Supreme Court judge ruled that changes to New York City’s CityFHEPS (Family Homelessness and Eviction Prevention Supplement), a city housing program, were invalid, as the City Council lacks the legal authority to expand the program. This ruling comes after a year-long legal battle between Mayor Eric Adams’s administration and the Council. The Council overrode a veto by the Mayor to implement changes to the program. CityFHEPS provides rental assistance for families that receive Cash Assistance and are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless.
July 2024
“NYC paid $350,000 for a report on demand for pre-K. Findings are elusive.” (Chalkbeat)
New York City’s Department of Education paid the research and consulting firm Accenture $350,000 in 2023 to investigate the distribution of pre-kindergarten seats in hopes of meeting the demand for early education across various NYC neighborhoods. However, early education advocates and City Council members have expressed frustration at the lack of transparency during the process and the inaccurate enrollment projections in the report.
“Domestic violence survivors bounce between NYC shelters as housing options dwindle” (Gothamist)
New Destiny Housing’s recent report reveals a troubling trend: the number of families leaving domestic violence shelters for permanent housing decreased by 18% between 2018 and 2023. Survivors often must move from shelter to shelter with their children, having to retell their traumatic stories to intake workers in order to determine their eligibility for shelter.