In this panel, CCC New York, the Community Service Society of New York and Hunger Free America examine both the Governor’s Executive Budget Proposal and the Senate and Assembly One-House Budget Proposals.

During the event recording, we provide a snapshot of the various hardships facing low-income communities across New York, linking these disadvantages to barriers in economic mobility and widespread housing and food insecurity. We also discuss potential solutions to these critical issues impacting families and children and examine policy and program recommendations that would better promote equity and work to reduce poverty and material hardship.

This critical discussion sets the stage for legislation at the state level, focusing on proposed legislation like the Housing Access Voucher Program (HAVP), enhancement of the minimum wage, reforms to tax-based credits, and universal school meals.

Speakers Include

Alice Bufkin, Associate Executive Director for Policy and Advocacy at Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York (Moderator)

Debipriya Chatterjee, Senior Economist at Community Services Society

Juan Diaz, Policy and Advocacy Associate at Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York

Jennifer Hinojosa, Research and Policy Analyst at Community Services Society

Bijan Kimiagar, Associate Executive Director for Research at Citizens’ Committee for Children of New York

Emilio Tavarez, Director of Policy, Research, and Advocacy at Hunger Free America

About Community Service Society of New York

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. Through a strategic combination of data-driven research, direct services, and people-driven advocacy, it ensures New Yorkers have the power to create change in their lives and the life of our city and state. CSS programs, policy analysis, legal advocacy, and campaigns expand access to health care, safe and affordable housing, employment, opportunities for individuals with conviction histories, consumer debt assistance, and more—making a tangible difference in the lives of millions.

About Hunger Free America

Hunger Free America is a nonpartisan, national nonprofit group working to enact the policies and programs needed to end domestic hunger and ensure that all Americans have sufficient access to nutritious food. Found in 1983 as the New York City Coalition Against Hunger, in 2016 we changed our name to Hunger Free America in order to better convey our national anti-hunger programs. We are both a direct service and advocacy organization — with each component strengthening the other. As a direct service provider, we assist low-income families obtain aid from government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — formerly called the Food Stamp program — and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) so that people struggling to pay their bills have access to nutritious food, and we also connect families nationwide with private food resources.