Research Projects (created September 14, 2023 12:02pm)

With support from Robin Hood, the Center on Policy and Social Policy conducts a series of benefit cost analyses of 3 cash and near cash transfer programs—child allowance, child care, and paid leave programs—and one program to accelerate graduation of college enrollees.&

The COVID-19 pandemic threatened an unprecedented rise in poverty in the United States. With our expertise in poverty measurement and social policy, we demonstrate how anti-poverty programs can be powerful tools in a crisis.

Asians and Asian-Americans have experienced a surge in anti-Asian hate and attacks since March of 2020, marking the “double pandemic” of COVID-19 and racial discrimination. 

The elderly have much higher poverty rates under the new Supplemental Poverty Measure than under official statistics. But the SPM does not account for the likely substantial assets that many older Americans can use to meet their expenses in retirement. With funding from the Steven H.

Assessing progress in the fight against poverty requires consistent and accurate measurement. The Center’s historical poverty work harnesses multiple data sources to document trends in poverty and the changing role of social policy over time.

Our researchers have created a unique data set implementing the Census’ and Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Supplemental Poverty Measure back to 1967. This data set allows for more accurate measurement of poverty over time, and more critically the accurate assessment of the role of government policies and programs in reducing poverty.

With funding from the Century Foundation, we have used the Supplemental Poverty Measure to model the potential effects of a universal child allowance on both poverty and deep poverty among children. To read the full report, click here.

A Survey of New Yorkers 

In a partnership with Robin Hood and Columbia University, the Poverty Tracker documents the dynamics of poverty in New York City and provides a window into the lives of the millions of New Yorkers who experience poverty, hardship, and disadvantage. The Poverty Tracker follows a representative panel of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 New York City households.

The American Rescue Plan significantly, but temporarily, expanded the federal Child Tax Credit in 2021. This series of research roundups compile the publicly available information on what is known about the impacts while the policy expansion was in place and what happened after it expired. 

The American Family Act 

The Future of Families and Child Wellbeing Study is now following its cohort into adulthood, capturing how participants are faring at age 22 across work, health, and life outcomes.