Economic Security

Communities that have well-paid, stable jobs that provide enough to meet individual and family needs, access to quality housing, food, and healthcare, and agency in their economic future. Residents emphasize economic security as foundational to sustained community safety.

Areas within Economic Security that residents found to be most important for safety and thriving

The following indicators are meant reflect the conditions underlying community safety and thriving.

Poverty

The experience of poverty is the most common factor underlying a lack of safety in a community. A decrease in poverty should be the leading measure of a safe community.

Poverty Rate

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: NYC Opportunity

Description: Rate calculated using income (inclusive of benefits), city housing expenses, and additional expenditure (see here)

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: No.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Public data should be updated more frequently, include demographic-level information, and provide more geographic precision.

Job Security and Quality

Community residents face barriers to consistent employment, including discrimination, long commutes, and lack of affordable child care and quality education and training, and they struggle to make ends meet with jobs that are low-paid and do not cover living expenses. Employment in jobs that are accessible, pay a living wage, and allow for wage and income growth is a key measure of economic security.

Unemployment rate

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: OMB

Description: Unemployment rate by race/ethnicity

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: No.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Public data should be updated more frequently, include demographic-level information, and provide more geographic precision.

Living wage

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: ACS Table B19051

Description: Prevalence of employed individuals making a wage below area self-sufficient or living wage.

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: No.

Data Concern/Recommendation:

Income inequality

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: ACS Table S1901

Description: Annual household income at the 80th and 20th percentile. 80:20 ratio.

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: No.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Data should be integrated in future phases.

Savings

The ability to save for the future was unavailable for most residents who experience economic hardship. Developing and growing savings and assets is a key measure of economic security and future thriving.

Retirement Security

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: US Census PUMS 5 year estimates

Description: Median income-to-poverty line ratio of residents aged 65 and older.

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: Yes.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Data should be integrated in future phases.

Housing Security

Housing is often the biggest expense for residents. Access to affordable, secure housing is a key component of economic security, and homeownership can also contribute to economic security and mobility.

Gentrification

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: NYC Opportunity/ACS for demographic data

Description: Median income-to-poverty line ratio of residents aged 65 and older.

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: NO.

Data Concern/Recommendation: NYC should employ US2010 Russel Sage & Brown for census geography to make gentrification data readily available.

Evictions

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: Dept of Investigation (via ODP)

Description: Monthly count of evictions

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: Yes.

Data Concern/Recommendation:

Data should be integrated in future phases.

Housing Burden

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: ACS Table A18002

Description: The share of owner and renter-occupied households that are cost-burdened (spending more than 30 percent of income on housing costs) and severely cost-burdened (more than 50 percent)

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: Yes.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Data should be integrated in future phases.

Food Security

Many residents experience food insecurity and rely on government and non-profit services for consistent access to food. Increased food security is a key measure of increased economic security.

Food insecurity rate

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: NYC

Description: Rate of food insecurity by district

Public Data Available? No.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: No.

Data Concern/Recommendation: NYC should collect and develop methods for capturing Food Insecurity. Feeding America conducts a rate using census data and a number of other economic measures. See methodology for details

Health Security

Healthcare costs are often prohibitive for residents without jobs that offer insurance. High healthcare costs mean that residents forgo necessary medical care, which can undermine their physical health. Access to consistent healthcare is a key measure of economic security.

Prohibitive healthcare costs

Responsible NYC/Gov Agency: DOHMH

Description: Estimate of residents who forego medical care and prescriptions due to cost.

Public Data Available? Yes.

Included in ONS Neighborhood Navigator: Yes.

Data Concern/Recommendation: Surveys should be administered regularly to allow for longitudinal analysis.

NIS Measuring Community Safety in NYC

How residents talk about Economic Security…

“If I have a family and I have no means to take care of this family, bad things are about to happen because I have to go out there as a man, as a mom, I'm going out there. I'm going to find something to come back and put in the mouths of these birds back here. That's survival. When you're only on survival and there's nothing else but survival every single day, you are surviving, you are pushing it, you are putting your life in danger, you are putting your freedom in danger to feed, there is no growth, there is no hope, and then your safety is always in jeopardy.”

How do residents feel about Economic Security?

[SAFE Lab Chart]

SAFElab Social Media Tool

FAQ

Q: Is this data available?
A: All the data provided in the data explorer can be downloaded from the NYC Open Data Portal. All of the other data included as samples or recommended for data collection can be sourced from the NIS report but is not readily available.

Q: What are some actionable steps as a NYC resident?
A: First, we encourage you to review the NIS Safety and Metrics report. Second, encourage the relevant NYC agencies to improve data collection efforts, quality, frequency, and granularity. Third, hold government accountable around safety by pushing accountability across all agencies – every agency discussed has some role to play in co-producing safe and thriving communities.

Q: Who should I contact if I see errors or concerns in the data explorer?
A: Please email map@cityhall.nyc.gov with the subject “ONS Neighborhood Navigator Issue.” Someone from our team will get back to you 🙂

Q: When will the social media data be made available?
A: The SAFE Lab Social media tool is currently under research and development but will be made available in 2022. To keep up to date, please revisit this site for more information.

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Economic Security

Areas within Economic Security that residents found to be most important for safety and thriving

Look beyond Crime. Explore Community Safety Within 15 NYC Neighborhoods.

How residents talk about Economic Security…

How do residents feel about Economic Security?

FAQ

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