This article originally appeared on NYTimes.com
NEW YORK, Feb 27, 2025 — A new report from Columbia University and the anti-poverty group Robin Hood reveals that 25% of New York City residents cannot afford essentials like housing, food, and healthcare. Poverty in the city surged by seven percentage points in two years, nearly doubling the national average. The expiration of pandemic-era government aid played a major role in this increase.
Despite affordability being a top issue for both Gov. Kathy Hochul and Mayor Eric Adams, the crisis remains severe. Hochul has proposed tax cuts and child tax credits, while Adams has pushed for affordable housing initiatives, but advocates argue that more substantial long-term solutions are needed.
“The city has so much wealth but also so much need,” said Richard Buery Jr., CEO of Robin Hood. “These are entirely human-made problems.”
Key Findings
- 26% of NYC children—420,000 kids—live in poverty.
- 58% of New Yorkers live in families earning below 200% of the poverty line—less than $94,000 for a couple with two children.
- Most low-income residents are employed or actively seeking work but still struggle to cover rent and food costs.
About Food Bank
Driven by our mission to empower every New Yorker to achieve food security for good, we harness the collective power of our network of food providers, partners, and volunteers to activate the right resources, supports, and expertise across the five boroughs. Our work with more than 800 soup kitchens, food pantries, and campus partners provides immediate and reliable access to food and nutrition education, while our economic empowerment programs give people the tools and know-how to improve their financial wellness. Community by community, we work together to make progress on a more hopeful, dignified, and equitable future for all.