Overview
New York is one of the most expensive states to raise a family. Core necessities such as housing, child care, food, healthcare, and transportation consume a growing share of household income, especially for low- and middle-income families. These rising costs are driving many families to leave the state in search of more affordable living conditions. High costs of living also contribute to persistent child poverty, with New York home to three of the ten U.S. cities with the highest child poverty rates. Addressing these challenges requires bold, family-centered policies that ease cost burdens and promote economic stability.
New York took an important step in 2021 with the Child Poverty Reduction Act. This legislation committed the State to cutting child poverty in half in ten years and established the Child Poverty Reduction Advisory Council to guide New York towards that goal. In 2024, the Council released its recommendations for achieving bold poverty reduction, including expanding the state child tax credit, providing additional housing assistance, raising public assistance levels, and creating a state food benefit for families ineligible for SNAP.
Families may fall into poverty for a number of reasons, including illness, the birth of a child, or the loss of a job or home. A strong social safety net is critical to ensure all families have the resources they need to thrive.
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