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The Other Side of Affordability: How NYC Can Boost Incomes & Build Wealth

Event - April 2026

The Other Side of Affordability: How NYC Can Boost Incomes & Build Wealth

On April 16th, the Center for an Urban Future held a policy forum to address the other side of the affordability crisis—raising incomes, building wealth, and expanding pathways to the middle class—so that a lot more New Yorkers can afford to live here.

Tags: economic mobility cuny higher education workforce development

 

 

 

"The Other Side of Affordability: How NYC Can Boost Incomes,
Build Wealth, and Expand Pathways to the Middle Class"

 Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Replay of event
Event materials


Solving New York City’s affordability crisis will require more than just tackling the soaring cost of living. City leaders will also need a plan for the other side of the equation—raising incomes, building wealth, and expanding pathways to the middle class—so that a lot more New Yorkers can afford to live here.

This policy forum advanced concrete ideas, opportunities, and strategies for city and state leaders to address this side of the affordability crisis. Speakers discussed specific steps that city leaders can take to help more New Yorkers achieve financial security, access well-paying jobs, grow businesses, build assets, save for retirement, and achieve upward mobility.

Speakers included:

  • Council Member Eric Dinowitz, Chair, Committee on Education
  • Council Member Rita Joseph, Chair, Committee on Higher Education
  • Council Member Pierina Ana Sanchez, Chair, Committee on Housing & Buildings
  • Lauren Andersen, Vice Chancellor for Career Engagement & Industry Partnerships, CUNY 
  • Dr. Kim Carter Evans, Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer, TruFund Financial Services
  • Debra-Ellen Glickstein, Executive Director, NYC Kids RISE
  • Reuben Ogbonna, Executive Director & Co-Founder, The Marcy Lab School
  • Justine Zinkin, CEO, Neighborhood Trust Financial Partners

This event was made possible thanks to generous support from Wells Fargo. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation and the Altman Foundation, support from Fisher Brothers Foundation for CUF's Middle Class Jobs Project, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.