NYC Council to Explore Rising Poverty: Income Inequality, the Working Poor and Child Poverty

According to the press release sent by members of our City Council, NYC’s poverty rate jumped to 20.1% in 2010. It’s hard to imagine that 1 in 5 people, in the greatest city in the world, live in poverty. Anyone who believes they have something to contribute, is invited to the public hearing tomorrow.

Gregory

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Hearing will examine the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to reduce poverty

City Hall, NY – On Monday, December 12 at 1 PM in 250 Broadway’s 14^th Floor Hearing Room, the City Council committees on Community Development and General Welfare will hold an oversight hearing to explore poverty trends in New York City. The hearing will examine income inequality, the state of the working poor and child poverty, and the Bloomberg Administration’s efforts to reduce poverty.

While poverty grew nationwide in 2010, the increase was greater in New York City with 75,000 city residents being pushed into poverty. New York City’s poverty rate jumped to 20.1 percent in 2010, the highest rate in more than a decade and largest annual increase in twenty years. Additionally, as income inequality has increased across the country in the last sixty years, New York City now has one of the highest levels of income inequality of any American city.

In December 2006, Mayor Bloomberg established the Center for Economic Opportunity to implement ways to reduce poverty in New York City by working with city agencies. However, as the funding for housing programs for the working poor and early childhood education opportunities has been reduced and city jobs have been eliminated, poverty is higher now than when CEO was first established.

What: NYC Council Public Oversight Hearing: “Poverty Trends in NYC”

Who: Council Member Al Vann, Chair of Committee on Community Development

Council Member Annabel Palma, Chair of Committee on General Welfare

Kristin Morse, Deputy Director of NYC Center for Economic Opportunity (CEO)

Dr. Mark Levitan, Director of Poverty Research for CEO

Deputy Commissioner Sara Vecchiotti, Administration for Children’s Services (ACS)

Deputy Commissioner Ellen Howard Cooper, Department of Homeless Services (DHS)

Deputy Commissioner Angela Sheehan, Human Resources Administration (HRA)

Members of the Community Development and General Welfare committees

When: Monday, December 12 at 1:00 PM

Where: 250 Broadway, 14^th Floor Hearing Room

Councilwoman Annabel Palma Opines on Resignation of John Mattingly as Commissioner of ACS

It sounds like John Mattingly will be missed in his position leading ACS. Good luck to him on his future endeavors.

Gregory
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July 18, 2011

STATEMENT BY COUNCIL MEMBER ANNABEL PALMA
In response to the resignation of ACS Commissioner John Mattingly

“For the past 7 years, John Mattingly has worked tirelessly on behalf of the City’s children and their families. In my time as Chair of the General Welfare Committee, it has been a pleasure to work with him. The Commissioner has been especially thoughtful and forthcoming in addressing the child welfare issues we face as a city. While I am saddened to lose such a dedicated and passionate advocate for vulnerable children, I wish him all the very best in his next chapter."