Task Force Releases Report on Child Poverty, Recommends $9 Billion in Funding

Child Poverty Reduction in New York: A Call to Action

Efforts to combat child poverty in New York have intensified as the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council (CPRAC) issued its final report, calling for targeted policies to cut child poverty in half by December 2031. The report, released on December 18, recommends a range of measures costing a projected $9 billion.

Report Recommendations

The report proposes three bundles of policies, each projected to reduce child poverty by at least 41% before 2032. The most aggressive package, estimated to reduce child poverty by 50.5%, includes:

1. Revamped Empire State Child Credit: Decoupling the credit from the federal credit, capping it at $1,500 per child, and removing minimum income requirements, which would cut child poverty by 23.2%.
2. Doubling Public Assistance Basic Allowance: Increasing the basic allowance, which would reduce child poverty by 18.1%.
3. State Housing Voucher Program: Creating a program aligning with the federal Housing Choice Voucher Program, which could lower child poverty by 15.7%.
4. Indexing Public Benefits to Inflation: Applying the same rules about income disregards to people applying for public aid and those already receiving benefits, which could reduce child poverty by 2.9%.
5. State Food Benefit Program: Launching a new program to complement federal offerings, targeting families excluded from SNAP due to non-citizenship, which would reduce child poverty by 1.6%.

Impact and Projections

The report projects that these measures could lead to:

• A 50.5% reduction in child poverty among all New Yorkers under 19 years old.
• A 52.6% reduction in poverty among children under 5 years old.
• A 20.8% reduction in poverty across all ages.
• Racial disparities would be addressed, with Black child poverty falling by 54.2% and Hispanic child poverty by 53.3%.

Implementation and Cost

Implementing these changes could help over 1.5 million families in New York, with an average annual increase of $3,608 per household. The estimated annual cost of the most aggressive package is approximately $9 billion.

Reactions and Response

Senator Andrew Gounardes emphasized the need for policy changes, stating, "The cost of living is crushing working-class and middle-class families in New York, making it hard to raise children here and pushing people into poverty. But it doesn’t have to be this way."

Advocates, including the Labor-Religion Coalition of New York State and the New York State Poor People’s Campaign, are pushing Governor Kathy Hochul to target child poverty in her 2026 budget. They plan to demonstrate in Albany on December 22 and deliver a petition or letter asking Hochul to back the report’s proposals.

Conclusion

The Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council’s report presents a comprehensive plan to combat child poverty in New York. With a projected cost of $9 billion, the report offers a potential solution to this pressing issue. It is essential for policymakers, advocates, and the public to work together to implement these measures and create a more equitable society for all New Yorkers.

FAQs

Q: What is the goal of the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council?
A: The goal is to cut child poverty in half by 2032.

Q: What are the report’s key recommendations?
A: The report proposes three bundles of policies, each projected to reduce child poverty by at least 41%.

Q: What is the estimated cost of the most aggressive package?
A: The estimated annual cost is approximately $9 billion.

Q: How many families would be helped by these measures?
A: Over 1.5 million families in New York would be helped, with an average annual increase of $3,608 per household.