Albany advocates redirect funds to housing, childcare programs

New York Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers are working on this year’s budget amid a challenging economic situation. There are calls for better use of the proposed $3 billion in rebate checks. Instead of giving away $300 checks, experts suggest funding programs that support child care and housing. The Child Care Assistance Program needs more money to help eligible parents afford child care. If funding decreases, many parents, especially women, could be forced to leave the workforce, which can be hard to recover from. In recent years, Hochul has pushed for improvements in child care services, using federal COVID funds. Now, New York City needs an additional $240 million for this fiscal year and $900 million for the next. For housing, a voucher program could help low-income families at risk of eviction. The state has a severe housing affordability crisis, partly due to past negligence from leaders. While the proposed $250 million won’t solve the problem, it could help stop families from being forced out of New York. These investments are not just costs; they are seen as beneficial investments for New Yorkers. Programs like Section 8 show that such vouchers can work effectively, supporting those in need. Without adequate housing and child care, many families struggle to thrive, hindering their ability to grow families or start new careers. Providing targeted support is viewed as a better approach than offering blanket rebate checks.