For Immediate Release:
June 29, 2023
Contact:
Rachel Noerdlinger, rnoerdlinger@actumllc.com
Emma Brodsky, ebrodsky@actumllc.com
CITY REFUSES TO FUND HUMAN SERVICES SECTOR IN FISCAL YEAR 2024
Devastating Cuts to Social Services, Housing, Education Will Impact Thousands of New Yorkers
New York, NY (June 29, 2023) — FPWA CEO and Executive Director Jennifer Jones Austin released the following statement in response to the announcement of New York City’s budget for fiscal year 2024.
“We at FPWA are astounded to see that the largest city budget on record willfully disregards both the criticality of human services and the workers providing them. This budget includes millions in cuts for vital services from 3-K to home-delivery meals, to criminal justice reform and prisoner reentry. And, it increases wage and occupation segregation by failing to make pay equity a reality for the community workforce it depends on day in and day out to tackle the many crises our city faces. Despite giving municipal workers receiving double digit COLA increases they justly deserve, this budget provides meager “workforce enhancements” to government funded, contract agency human service workers.
As further detailed budget documents become available, FPWA will provide a detailed analysis of the key provisions in the budget and will take a critical eye to areas where the budget fails the people of New York. We will also continue to monitor and support the needs of our city’s human services sector in light of this latest disinvestment in the essential workers that keep our communities afloat. We call on the Mayor and its Administration to increase funding for these lifesaving agencies and organizations – New Yorkers, disproportionately Black and Brown families, are depending on it.”
About FPWA
FPWA is an anti-poverty policy and advocacy organization committed to advancing economic opportunity, justice, and upward mobility for New Yorkers with low incomes. Since 1922, FPWA has driven ground-breaking policy reforms to better serve those in need. We work to dismantle the systemic barriers that impede economic security and well-being and strengthen the capacity of human services agencies and faith organizations so New Yorkers with lower incomes can thrive and live with dignity.
Find out more at fpwa.org, Facebook Twitter, and Instagram.
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