How we measure poverty shapes how we respond to it. This new guide by @IRP_UW (co-authored by Timothy Smeeding, David Johnson, and CPSP’s Chris Wimer) unpacks how the U.S. measures poverty, what experts are proposing to change, and why it matters: Read more here ➡️: www.irp.wisc.edu/resource/a-g...

Join us next Monday, 2/23/26 at 5:30pm for a panel showcasing data on Asian Americans & directions for future research 📍Pulitzer Hall 🎙 Featuring Asian American Initiative Director, Qin Gao, CPSP Director, Chris Wimer, & others 🔗https://povertycenter.columbia.edu/events/asian-americans-in-focus

Join us for an exciting panel discussion that showcases data on Asian Americans & discusses directions for future research 🗓Feb 23, 2026 | 5:30–7 PM 📍Pulitzer Hall 🎙 Featuring Asian American Initiative Director Qin Gao, CPSP Director Chris Wimer, & others 🔗 povertycenter.columbia.edu/events/asian...

Our new research shows a larger Child Tax Credit won’t reduce inequality on its own—design decisions determine who benefits. And when future opportunities to design a bigger credit do arise, understanding how those choices shape equity will be essential. povertycenter.columbia.edu/publication/...

Two new Poverty Tracker reports from Robin Hood reveal how deeply COVID shaped childhood in NYC: 🔹 1 in 3 kids under 5 had a parent lose work 🔹 1 in 4 working moms left the workforce The lesson is undeniable: when parents lose stability, kids lose opportunity. Explore more: robinhood.org/research

These findings are from our latest Poverty Tracker report on how New Yorkers are struggling with weekly food budget shortfalls🔥Glad folks are paying attention ahead of the holiday season—read the report and support community: robinhood.org/reports/pove...

New Poverty Tracker data shows more than 40% of NYC families with children can’t afford their weekly food costs, with an average shortfall of $205/week. Robin Hood is increasing Q4 emergency food grantmaking by 50%, investing $5.6M through 10 partners. Read more. robinhood.org/reports/pove...

The govt has discontinued USDA food security data—and with the shutdown delaying the 2024 report, we’re losing vital insight into food insecurity in America. Our Research Director Sophie Collyer introduces a new model to predict food insecurity rates. povertycenter.columbia.edu/publication/...

Join Our Team: The Center on Poverty and Social Policy is hiring a Research Analyst to support actionable research on poverty and social policy in the United States. Apply today! povertycenter.columbia.edu/join-team

📊 New research: Local governments have the power to lift thousands of children out of poverty. Our new report with @itep.org, supported by Share Our Strength, shows how local Child Tax Credits could cut child poverty by 25–50% in cities across the US. Read the full findings:

New @sbs.nationalacademies.org report shows federal tax credits lifted 2M+ children out of poverty in 2021. Director Chris Wimer served with fellow experts on the study committee. Read the report: nap.nationalacademies.org/resource/291...

📢 New report: Pathways to Reduce Child #Poverty: Impacts of Federal Tax Credits. The report explores the expanded #Child Tax Credit and #EITC in 2021 which lifted 2M+ kids out of poverty. 📘 Explore the report: buff.ly/r6GQLLU

How is the rising cost of living impacting New Yorkers? Our latest Poverty Tracker data shows: 🔹 76% cut back on necessities & savings 🔹 56% reduced food purchases 🔹 49% reduced utilities or transportation NYC’s affordability crisis extends well above the poverty line. robinhood.org/reports/pove...

Wrap up from last week: Census poverty data is out & our team pulled together fresh analyses: Asking what child poverty could have looked like in 2024 if we had an expanded Child Tax Credit similar to 2021 in place? What if we had the OBBBA CTC? povertycenter.columbia.edu/what-could-2...

📢 Just out: Our team mapped how tax credits & transfers reduce poverty in each state in recent years. 📊 This provides an important baseline for understanding the critical role of programs like SNAP amidst growing state budget pressures post-OBBBA. povertycenter.columbia.edu/publication/...

🔎📊Our new series tracks poverty from 1967–2024 across four measures. Poverty dropped 30–50% with constant living standards, but rose 20% on a relative scale. One constant: safety net policies now cut poverty nearly in half. Full brief: povertycenter.columbia.edu/series/2024-...

📊Census released its 2024 poverty report📊Poverty is similar to 2023: 43.7mil people (~13%), incl 9.7mil children (>13%), lived in Supplemental Poverty Measure (SPM) poverty. The SPM captures policy effects & we have new research using this data. Up 1st:🔎how 2024 compares to historical poverty trends

Tomorrow is an important data day 📆 Census Bureau’s annual income & poverty data release 📊 We'll have same-day analysis on: 🔎how 2024 compares to historical poverty trends 🔎safety net impacts on state poverty 🔎what child poverty COULD have been w/different policy (ex: expanded Child Tax Credit)

"H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill, manages to be the worst of both worlds," @meganacurran.bsky.social, Sophie Collyer and Jane Waldfogel write. wapo.st/448HLi5

📰 WaPo op-ed from our team on how the big tax bill's Child Tax Credit benefits those better off & leaves 1 in 3 children behind. "This would be a bad investment—spending money where it produces the smallest return. We can—and should—make different decisions." www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...

📢 Happening in 1 hr: Join us for the book launch of Child Benefits: A Smart Investment for America's Future by Jane Waldfogel. 📍 Online (Zoom) at 2 pm. 🔗 Register here: columbiauniversity.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

📖 BOOK LAUNCH 📖 Join the @povertycenter.bsky.social on June 5 at 2 pm ET for the launch of IGP Affiliated Faculty Member Jane Waldfogel’s new book, ‘Child Benefits–A Smart Investment for America's Future.’ Register for the webinar here: povertycenter.columbia.edu/events/book-...

Join today at 1pm for a vital webinar on how childhood involvement in the child welfare system affects young adult health + mental health. Hear from researchers @uwmadison.bsky.social @columbiauniversity.bsky.social + youth advocates with lived experience povertycenter.columbia.edu/events/2025/...

📢Tune in this Thursday to our young adult webinar series! Up next: How are young adults faring financially today? We’ll explore poverty trends, employment, education, living arrangements, public benefits—and what it means for shaping policy & programs. 🔗 povertycenter.columbia.edu/events/how-a...

The Center on Poverty and Social Policy is now on Bluesky! We produce data-driven research on poverty, its impacts, and potential policy solutions at the national and state levels, as well as right here in NYC. Follow us for the latest research updates on how policy decisions shape real lives.