More than one million New Yorkers are uninsured; increasing the number of people insured would reduce morbidity and mortality and improve economic security.
Arresting and prosecuting individuals for fare evasion is a no-win situation. It does not appear to act as much of a deterrent and does not result in increased fare or fine collection. And – as Community Service Society research has shown – NYPD fare evasion enforcement has focused mostly on young people, primarily Black and brown men, who are saddled with indelible criminal records that can close doors to jobs, housing and full participation in the life of this City.
According to our 2021 Unheard Third survey—the longest running scientific survey of low-income communities in the nation— 41 percent of low-income respondents lost employment income in their household during the pandemic, compared to 29 percent of those with moderate to higher incomes. Today, nearly 92,000 people across the state are homeless.
Half of low-income workers still haven’t heard about the city’s paid sick time law seven years after it took effect in 2014.