SURVEY: JOBS AND ECONOMY TRUMPS TERRORISM--BY JAMAL WATSON

Jobs and the economy trump terrorism
by JAMAL WATSON
Amsterdam News Staff
Originally posted 9/1/2004

More New Yorkers are concerned with jobs and the economy than they are with terrorism, according to a new report released by the Community Service Society (CSS), a nonpartisan think tank aimed at fighting poverty in the city.

For the third consecutive year, most New Yorkers have said that the most pressing problem facing the city is the lack of jobs and the rising cost of housing in the city.

The issues are felt hardest by low-income residents, who say that their overall finances have not improved over the last year, with 36 percent saying that their financial situation has even gotten worse.

''At a time when the national spotlight is on New York City, it is very important that our findings be heard,'' said David R. Jones, president of CSS. ''They [Republican Party convention speakers] highlight issues that are not being addressed in this year's election campaign: job creation, affordable housing and other concerns of low-income families.''

The annual survey, called ''The Unheard Third'' conducted by Lake Snell Perry & Associates, tracks the views of lower-income city residents and brings their opinions and concerns to the attention of elected officials.

According to the survey results, housing concerns have grown over the past three years for low-income New Yorkers. In 2002, 18 percent said that housing was their major concerned, compared to 30 percent in 2004.

''Despite the fact that a third of voting-age citizens in New York City live below twice the poverty level, their voices often go unheard by policymakers,'' said Nancy Rankin, the study's lead researcher.

Rankin said that the city, state and federal government can take steps such as increasing federal dollars to build affordable housing, and increasing the state minimum wage

''I think we need to focus on making sure recovery reaches those at the bottom,'' said Rankin. ''Housing is still a huge issue for residents in the city.''

In an election year, the results of the survey are telling, with about 57 percent of all New Yorkers saying that current federal policies under the Bush administration have made things worse for people like themselves.

At a time when millions of dollars are being spent to protect the homeland, some city residents have called for renewed attention to the local economy. More residents say they are worried about losing their job or becoming unemployed over terrorism.

''It's hard out here,'' said Hal Jones, 42, a Brooklyn deli shop worker who says that he's voting for U.S. Senator John Kerry in November because he believes that he can rejuvenate the economy. ''How is it that we can go from a surplus under Bill Clinton to a deficit under Bush?'' Jones asked. ''Something's not right here.''

The survey, released earlier this week, comes months after the CSS reported that 50 percent of Black males in New York City were jobless. That study prompted political leaders and activists to focus attention on ways to put unemployed Black men back to work.
Jones said that the survey findings will likely be similar to sentiments expressed by residents in other U.S. cities.

''These issues will resonate not only with New York City voters,'' said Jones, ''but with voters in states with large cities.''

Jamal Watson can be reached at [email protected].