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One-third of all New York City's voting-age citizens live in a low-income household. Taken together, low-income New Yorkers constitute a sizeable voting bloc, yet politicians rarely speak to their issues and concerns. “The Unheard Third,” the Community Service Society’s annual survey of low-income New Yorkers, is the only public opinion poll in the nation to regularly chronicle issues facing low-income individuals and families. The Unheard Third tracks the concerns and hardships of New York City’s low-income residents and their views on what programs and policies would help them get ahead. Developed and administered in collaboration with Lake Research Partners, a leading national polling firm, The Unheard Third also surveys middle- and higher-income New Yorkers to see where their priorities and concerns converge – and diverge – from those of low-income New Yorkers.The findings from The Unheard Third reinforce our belief that public policy aimed at this population must, in part, be guided by the life experiences and ideas of New Yorkers living in poverty. As New York’s economy has declined, the findings from The Unheard Third indicate the importance for policy makers of ensuring that low-income New Yorkers – many of whom are working – are able to meet their basic needs. CSS uses the survey to inform and guide our research, direct service programs, and policy recommendations.
CSS aims to distribute its annual survey as widely as possible, to ensure that the voices of low-income New Yorkers are heard by politicians, community leaders, the media, researchers, and the public. CSS staff frequently brief legislators and not-for-profit organizations about the findings from The Unheard Third. CSS staff also seeks input from labor, government, nonprofit, and civic leaders as they develop the survey each year to ensure maximum effectiveness.
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“New York State is seeing the beginnings of President Obama’s landmark health care reform,” said David R. Jones, president and CEO of the Community Service Society. “Beginning yesterday, New Yorkers with preexisting conditions can get insurance coverage for less than half the cost previously. Called the New York Bridge Plan, it offers affordable coverage for some of the state’s most vulnerable residents. This is just one step to the full implementation of the health care reform in 2014.”
The Unheard Third 2009: Job Loss, Economic Insecurity, and a Decline in Job Quality