Economic Stability

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According to the Long Island Index, between 2007 and 2013, the poverty rate on Long Island increased by 44%, compared to increases of 17% and 22% for New York State and the U.S., respectively. As poverty in the suburbs continues to increase, HWCLI’s economic stability work addresses the need to ensure that individuals’ basic human needs are met on a daily basis through a robust social safety net of services that address unique suburban concerns such as lack of transportation and sprawl, lack of affordable housing, a growing senior population and diversifying communities. In addition, within its work, HWCLI aims to address the root causes of poverty to create a pathway to self-sufficiency such as segregation, fractionalized government, and access to education, employment, and financial services.

While HWCLI does not have unique initiatives to address all of the causes of poverty, HWCLI integrates the goal of ensuring economic stability and self-sufficiency throughout its work.

HWCLI’s work in Economic Stability includes:

Member Engagement : Long Island Regional Economic Development Council presentation

Coalition Coordination and Convening : Shed light on unique aspects of suburban poverty within all coalition work

Policy and Advocacy : Shed light on unique aspects of suburban poverty within all advocacy work

Meeting Community Needs : Outreach and education on EITC/VITA during the tax season