Press Release
CSS Report: Black Male NYCHA Residents More Likely To Be Unemployed than Any Other Group
Report presents recommendations to address underrepresentation of NYCHA’s Black and Latino men in city’s workforce
The primary mission of the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) is to provide safe, decent and affordable housing to the city’s lowest income residents, the overwhelming majority of whom are Black and Latino with an average monthly rent of $542, and an average family income of $24,454. But the Authority also has a supplemental charge – among several mandates of its federal funding -- to promote self-sufficiency and economic independence among its residents.
While generally U.S. labor markets have rebounded to pre-pandemic levels, and the city has regained most of the jobs lost to the pandemic, serious inequities persist across racial lines. Most strikingly, the unemployment rate for Black New Yorkers was estimated to be at 12.2 percent, while that for White workers was estimated to be at 1.3 percent. Thousands of the individuals that make up this unemployed population live inside NYCHA developments.
Though, unlike other low-income residents in the city, an array of workforce, resident business development, training and financial empowerment programs are available to NYCHA residents. For example, NYCHA’s Section 3 program requires that employment, contracting and other economic opportunities generated by federal assistance to public housing authorities to be directed, whenever possible, to public housing residents and other low and very low income residents. To meet its obligation to promote self-sufficiency and economic independence, NYCHA has its own Office of Resident Economic Empowerment & Sustainability (REES) to connect residents to various economic and training opportunities, both through NYCHA and through its partnerships with community-based organizations.
Using data from its latest Unheard Third survey, a new Community Service Society of New York (CSS) policy brief entitled, “NYCHA’s Working, Except When It Comes to Young Men of Color,” examines NYCHA resident unemployment before, during and after the pandemic, as well as racial and gender dynamics of employment opportunity at the country’s largest source of public housing.
The report critiques the impact existing job and employment resources are having on NYCHA residents and investigates which subpopulations are struggling in the job market and why, while presenting recommendations on ways to reform and scale programs to meet the need.
Here are some of the key findings:
- 20 percent of NYCHA residents are estimated to be unemployed and either searching or have given up searching for work, compared to 26 percent of other subsidized and unsubsidized low-income NYC renters.
- 17.6 percent of Latina/o/x adults are unemployed and seeking work, higher than any other racial group.
- Black men in NYCHA are more likely to be unemployed than any other group of NYCHA residents, followed by Latino men.
- Black men in NYCHA are considerably younger than other groups of NYCHA residents and largely excluded from public sector jobs.
- More than half of NYCHA youth who apply to the Summer Youth Employment Program do not get in.
- 16 percent of Black women living in NYCHA struggling to find work cite child and elder care responsibilities as the issue.
- More than half of all “Stop and Frisks” are of Black men, almost 30 percent are Latino men, and most are in precincts with NYCHA developments.
- In 2022, the 27 precincts with at least 5 NYCHA developments make up half of all “Stop and Frisks” and averaged (122 percent) 152 more stops than precincts with no NYCHA developments.
The report’s findings highlight a troubling environment primarily facing Black and Latino men. As overincarceration has declined overall in NYC, young men of NYCHA have become the fixation of law enforcement. Despite a jobs resurgence in New York City, Black unemployment continues to rise; and this joblessness is endemic amongst young men in NYCHA.
As NYCHA looks to preserve, rehabilitate, and potentially build on its public housing stock, the report notes the great opportunity that exists to leverage the enormous capital needs of the public housing system to seed and implement one of the largest public works program in the history of the country. Addressing the Authority’s $40 billion capital backlog will create thousands of near-term construction jobs and spur additional employment at the local level. NYCHA residents should be first in line for these opportunities.
This report calls for not only the leveraging of new capital projects, but also the expansion of existing programs and employment of other administrative and legislative strategies to address the under and unemployment revealed by the Unheard Third findings.
“We have long known that true public safety is achieved when people have access to adequate food, shelter, and employment opportunities. This report from CSS highlights the need for real investments to be made in our communities, and in particular, investments in our young men of color. If we want to start seeing the kind of systemic change that has been given so much lip service, then each layer of government must stop funding failed policies, and pay heed to the recommendations in this report,” said Council Member Alexa Avilés, Chair of the Committee on Public Housing.
“As we transition economically out of the pandemic, we must ensure that all households regardless of their socioeconomic status are given the opportunity and support to be a part of the New York City economic recovery. If we intend to build an economic engine that prioritizes equity, inclusion, and opportunity; then we must put forth policy solutions that better support low income families,” said New York City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala.
"As long as our city invests its resources in policing, prosecution, and punishment, instead of care, community, and cooperation, we will continue to solidify the gulf separating the rich and powerful from everyday working class New Yorkers, especially the most marginalized," said New York City Council Member Tiffany Cabán. "The recommendations in this report, from expanding SYEP to desegregating schools and beyond, are key steps in the right direction, toward a city with the public safety and public health outcomes we all deserve, a city that works for all of us, not just the wealthy few. Congratulations to CSS on this important report."
“I commend the Community Service Society for their continued work to shine light on inequities that impact quality of life and economic opportunity in our city. We must invest in community resources to ensure a just economic recovery from the pandemic and to provide opportunities for high paying, quality jobs for all New Yorkers,” said New York City Council Member Carlina Rivera. “I look forward to working with my colleagues on expanding workforce development and skills training programs, increasing the number of SYEP seats, and securing resources for reentry programs.”
“Once again, the Community Service Society is supplying policymakers with real data for policymakers,” said New York City Council Member Gale A. Brewer. “With this latest report, the CSS defines the challenge and offers possible solutions.”
“Preserving NYCHA, the city’s largest source of affordable housing for low-income New Yorkers, should be a top priority for a city that prides itself on its diversity. But so should ensuring that NYCHA residents have opportunities to thrive economically,” said New York City Council Member Crystal Hudson. “We commend CSS for highlighting how many NYCHA residents are struggling in the job market, and potential solutions.”
“The `NYCHA’s Working, Except When It Comes to Young Men of Color,’ report published by the Community Service Society has found critical and disappointing data on how our young men in NYCHA are under-employed and not being given fair opportunities to enter the workforce and find a sustainable career,” said New York City Council Member Amanda Farias. “My district is home to nine NYCHA campuses each with a strong and beautiful community that is raising the next generation of innovators and creators. Thank you David Jones and the team at CSS for advocating on behalf of the economic justice our young Black, Latino, and AAPI men in public housing deserve. I look forward to continuing to work together to support our communities of color in the Bronx and citywide.”
“Over decades we have let our public housing system, once a model for the nation, fall into disrepair, and in doing so, we have failed its residents, particularly our young Black and Latino men who have far fewer options than their peers in more affluent parts of the city,” said David R. Jones, CSS President and CEO. “We must prioritize mobilizing resources toward creating pathways to jobs and careers for these young men that offer a viable alternative to the streets and a future stake in the city’s growing economy.”
“Too many young Black and Latino men are currently caught between a lopsided post-pandemic recovery and a regime of over policing,” said Iziah Thompson, CSS Senior Policy Analyst. “Leaders in New York City must recognize the economic and social impact prioritizing this population can have on our city.”
The following is a summary of the report’s recommendations:
- Expand the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP)
- Prioritize career development for `Out of School, Out of Work’ (OSOW) and other struggling youth.
- Conduct a city-chartered study on unemployed youth and young adults in and around NYCHA developments, exploring obstacles they face to securing well-paid jobs.
- Pass the Raise Up NY bill (S3062D/A7503C)
- Understand and address gaps in state law related to jobs in the new tech economy by passing S938/A722.
- Expand the Jobs-Plus program
- Stronger efforts to desegregate schools and neighborhoods.
- Fully implement the Student Diversity Advisory Group (SDAG) Recommendations
- Pass pro-integration housing policy and the Fair Chance for Housing Act
- Expand “reentry” programs and address the jail to shelter pipeline.
- Reform and expand NYCHA’s Section 3 Program
- Strengthen employment discrimination enforcement
- Fully fund the Commission on Human Rights
- Direct city agencies to disregard aged convictions.
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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. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment opportunities, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Join us at www.cssny.org.