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The Unheard Third
Since 2002, the Community Service Society has sought to better understand the views and experiences of low-income New Yorkers through a groundbreaking public opinion survey, "The Unheard Third." We use the insights gleaned from our annual survey to elevate the concerns of low-income New Yorkers in the public policy debate and to better inform our services and advocacy agenda.
A Large Potential Voting Bloc
One-third of New York City's voting-age citizens live in low-income households, yet politicians rarely speak to their issues and concerns. By conducting the first regular public opinion poll of low-income households in the nation, CSS seeks to ensure that the priorities of our city government reflect the needs of all New Yorkers.
Identifying Solutions and Shaping Consensus
The Unheard Third tracks the hardships of New York City's low-income residents and their views on what programs and policies would help them get ahead. Developed and administered in collaboration with Lake Research Partners, a leading national polling firm, The Unheard Third also surveys middle- and higher-income New Yorkers to see where their priorities and concerns converge, and diverge, from those of low-income New Yorkers.
Findings from the survey have been instrumental in our advocacy for better wages; affordable transit; on-the-job benefits such as paid sick days; and workforce programs such as GED preparation and upgrading career and technical education; as well as greater investment in affordable housing, among many other issues.
The survey has also helped us to better target our services to the needs of our constituents. For example, findings on the minimal savings and lack of financial services in low-income communities helped shape our Financial Advocacy Program.
As the city struggles to bounce back from a devastating pandemic, the findings from The Unheard Third underline the need to address the continuing jobs, housing, and health crises facing low-income New Yorkers. Our special series of findings from 2020 and 2021 explore the lingering and inequitable impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic on New Yorkers facing economic insecurity.
Help Amplify the Voices of The Unheard Third
The Unheard Third is disseminated widely, to ensure that the voices of low-income New Yorkers are heard by politicians, community leaders, the media, researchers, and the public.
Read and share our publications to help spread the word.
Most Recent The Unheard Third Publications
