This Robin Hood Moment

Welcome to "This Robin Hood Moment" with your hosts Crystal Cooper and Kevin Thompson. In this episode, we delve into the unveiling of the newest affordable housing development in Inwood, what Robin Hood affectionately calls “New Stories,” showcasing the city's potential to create beautiful, affordable homes in innovative spaces. The spotlight falls on the Eliza Apartments, providing 174 affordable units, alongside amenities and green spaces, as part of the redevelopment of the Inwood Library. With guests David Saltzman, founder, board member, and former Executive Director of Robin Hood; Bea De la Torre, Chief Philanthropy Officer, Trinity Church Wall Street; Tony Marx, President & CEO, New York Public Library; Vicki Been, Professor of Law at NYU School of Law, and former commissioner, New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development, this transformative project not only addresses housing needs but also enhances community infrastructure, reflecting a vision for inclusive urban development. In 2023, Robin Hood funded partners that built and preserved nearly 1,700 units of affordable housing and prevented evictions for more than 3,100 families. But with a staggering 70,000 applicants for just 174 spots at the Eliza Apartments, it's clear that the demand far outweighs the supply. In this episode, we explore the urgent need to replicate this model across New York City, utilizing underutilized land, such as certain library branches, for affordable housing.With hosts Kevin Thompson and Crystal Cooper, we explore the vital role philanthropy had in unlocking New Stories, and why this model needs to be replicated across NYC.Tune in for insightful discussions on shaping policies to uplift communities and #FightPoverty. Subscribe for more episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.You can find transcripts and more episodes of "This Robin Hood Moment" at robinhood.org/podcasts, and you can find Robin Hood on X/Twitter @robinhoodnyc.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at info@robinhood.org."This Robin Hood Moment" is produced and edited by Cory Winter; graphics are produced by Mary Power; visual content captured by Olivia Waldron and additionally provided by Motion Array; fact-checking by Chloe Sarnoff; music and sound are provided by Epidemic Sound. Special thanks to Susan Sack, Emary Aronson, and especially our donors—the Rosenblatts—Sam, Sarah, and Jill.

Welcome to "This Robin Hood Moment" with your hosts Crystal Cooper and Kevin Thompson. In this episode, we center the voices and experiences of those directly impacted by the recent surge in poverty across New York City, illuminated by the stark findings of Robin Hood’s annual Poverty Tracker report. With guests Greg Silverman, CEO of the West Side Campaign Against Hunger, and Robert Cordero, CEO of Grand Street Settlement, we embark on a journey to hear how both of these organizations have become beacons of hope for low-income New Yorkers.The episode unveils the staggering statistics, such as the increase in the number of New Yorkers living in poverty from 1.5 million to 2 million between 2021 and 2022, with nearly 500,000 more people in New York living in poverty than the year prior. The report reveals an overall poverty rate that surged from 18% to 23%, while the child poverty rate skyrocketed by 66% – rising from 15% to 25%. These figures underscore the urgent need for action and support as we elevate individuals and families navigating the harsh realities of poverty. From single parents struggling to put food on the table to children facing housing insecurity, we witness the human faces of an affordability crisis exacerbated by the pandemic's aftermath. With hosts Crystal Cooper and Kevin Thompson, we explore the vital role of nonprofits in NYC like Grand Street Settlement and WSCAH in providing critical safety nets and fostering community resilience.Tune in for insightful discussions on shaping policies to uplift communities and #FightPoverty. Subscribe for more episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "This Robin Hood Moment" at robinhood.org/podcasts, and you can find Robin Hood on X/Twitter @robinhoodnyc.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at info@robinhood.org."This Robin Hood Moment" is produced by Cory Winter; graphics are produced by Mary Power; visuals are provided by Motion Array; music and sound are provided by Epidemic Sound. Special thanks to Robert Cordero and Greg Silverman. 

Welcome to "This Robin Hood Moment" with your hosts Crystal Cooper and Kevin Thompson. In this episode, we delve into the dire state of affordable housing. New York City is still the largest and most expensive rental market in the county. The rental vacancy rate has plummeted to a historic low of 1.4%; more than half of households are rent-burdened, thousands are on the brink of eviction, and a record number of New Yorkers are living in shelters and staying in them longer than ever before. This crisis boils down to a sheer lack of affordable housing supply on the market and insufficient protections to keep vulnerable tenants from losing their homes. After years of political gridlock – and a failed attempt to galvanize cities and towns statewide to pursue ambitious construction targets – in April, Governor Hochul signed into law a housing deal that purports to offer relief. But is it enough?Robin Hood, a key player in the fight for housing justice, devised a bold plan this year that harnesses innovation to unlock pathways to build more units, champions tenants’ rights, and offers subsidies as a lifeline to families struggling to make ends meet. Now that the ink has dried on Albany’s FY25 New York State budget, today, we speak with Jessica Katz, former NYC Chief Housing Officer and key architect of Robin Hood’s comprehensive housing plan, on the road toward housing access for all.Tune in for insightful discussions on shaping policies to uplift communities and #FightPoverty. Subscribe for more episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "This Robin Hood Moment" at robinhood.org/podcasts, and you can find Robin Hood on X/Twitter @robinhoodnyc.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at info@robinhood.org."This Robin Hood Moment" is produced by Cory Winter; graphics are produced by Mary Power; visuals are provided by Motion Array; music and sound are provided by Epidemic Sound. Special thanks to Jessica Katz and Chloe Sarnoff.

Welcome to "This Robin Hood Moment" with your hosts Crystal Cooper and Kevin Thompson. In this episode, we delve into the staggering findings of the latest Poverty Tracker Annual Report, jointly released by Robin Hood and Columbia University’s Center on Poverty and Social Policy. The report reveals a historic spike in poverty rates across New York City, with an additional 2 million residents plunging into poverty between 2021 and 2022 alone.Join us as we unpack the factors contributing to this alarming trend, and offer insights from Robin Hood CEO Richard R. Buery, Jr., Columbia CPSP Director Christopher Wimer, and Robin Hood grantee Grand Street Settlement CEO Robert Cordero. From the unprecedented increase in child poverty by 66% to the disproportionate impact on communities of color, listeners will explore the socioeconomic landscape reshaped by the pandemic's aftermath. Through expert insights and personal anecdotes, we examine the policy implications and urgent calls for action to address the root causes of this burgeoning crisis.Tune in for insightful discussions on shaping policies to uplift communities and #FightPoverty. Subscribe for more episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "This Robin Hood Moment" at robinhood.org/podcasts, and you can find Robin Hood on X/Twitter @robinhoodnyc.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at info@robinhood.org."This Robin Hood Moment" is produced by Cory Winter; graphics are produced by Mary Power; visuals are provided by Motion Array; music and sound are provided by Epidemic Sound. Special thanks to Richard Buery, Christopher Wimer, and Robert Cordero.

Welcome to "This Robin Hood Moment" with your host Crystal Cooper. January marks the beginning of the budgeting process for New York State and City, crucial for funding essential services and programs. Governor Hochul and Mayor Adams recently unveiled their proposed budgets, sparking intense analysis and advocacy. Join us as we delve into the implications for fighting poverty in NYC with Robin Hood’s Chief Public Policy Officer, Jason Cone.In this episode, we explore how state and city budgets serve as tools in the fight against poverty; key proposals aligning with Robin Hood’s mission, including healthcare advocacy to alleviate financial burdens on New Yorkers; gaps between proposed allocations and the critical needs of struggling New Yorkers; influential factors shaping this year's budget outcome, such as economic forecasts and allocations for addressing the migrant crisis.Tune in for insightful discussions on shaping policies to uplift communities and #FightPoverty. Subscribe for more episodes wherever you listen to your podcasts.You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of "This Robin Hood Moment" at robinhood.org/podcasts, and you can find Robin Hood on X/Twitter @robinhoodnyc.Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at info@robinhood.org."This Robin Hood Moment" is produced by Cory Winter; graphics are produced by Mary Power; visuals are provided by Motion Array; music and sound are provided by Epidemic Sound. Special thanks to Jason Cone.

For 35 years, Robin Hood has channeled nearly $3 billion through grantmaking to feed, house, educate, provide training and placement, and much more for the millions of New Yorkers fighting their way out of poverty. From the very start, Robin Hood has been relentlessly focused on results, grounding its work in rigorous evidence and community voice so it can make the smartest bets and the greatest impact. Through these years, Robin Hood has grown into a poverty-fighting giant, with its deep knowledge of the conditions that keep New Yorkers down and the fight for resources they need to get ahead. Join us for "This Robin Hood Moment," and listen to in-depth conversations with the people who drive Robin Hood’s boots-on-the-ground work across all five boroughs, and the milestones and strategies that really fuel their fight.