Dynamics of Disadvantage in New York City

This is the third in a continuing series of reports that document key findings of the Poverty Tracker, a quarterly survey tracking a fixed panel of approximately 2,000 New York City residents. As noted in earlier reports, typical surveys of poverty take an annual snapshot based on the federal government’s official, income-based measure. This report focuses on the dynamics and persistence of poverty, material hardship and health problems over time. The report also describes how assets and debt and assistance from government or social service agencies predict whether households enter or exit from poverty or material hardship.