Press Release: CSS Statement on New York City’s Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

Press Release

CSS Statement on New York City's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget

The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) thanks Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Speaker Julie Menin, and the New York City Council for their leadership in adopting a Fiscal Year 2027 budget that preserves funding for several critical programs serving low-income New Yorkers during a time of significant fiscal challenges.

Despite difficult budget constraints and competing priorities, the Council maintained support for the Managed Care Consumer Assistance Program (MCCAP), the Speaker's Initiative that sustains CSS's Health Initiatives Department, and the Next Door Project. These investments will ensure that thousands of New Yorkers continue to receive trusted assistance navigating complex health care systems, overcoming barriers created by criminal records, and accessing the services and opportunities they need to improve their lives.

The Council's investment is especially timely. As federal policies threaten health coverage for an estimated 230,000 New Yorkers through cuts to Medicaid and the Essential Plan, demand for unbiased health coverage counseling and enrollment assistance will continue to grow. MCCAP will play an increasingly vital role in helping New Yorkers understand their options, maintain coverage whenever possible, and access needed care. CSS looks forward to continuing to partner with the Council and the Mamdani Administration to ensure these services can meet rising demand.

CSS also appreciates that the city budget preserves funding for New York City Benefits (NYCB) through FY27. While the program was not baselined in this year's budget, maintaining funding will allow tens of thousands of New Yorkers to continue accessing critical public benefits. We remain committed to working with city leaders to secure permanent, multi-year funding that provides long-term stability for this essential program.

In addition, CSS applauds the decision to expand eligibility for Fair Fares from 150 percent to 200 percent of the federal poverty level. This expansion will make reduced-fare transit available to an estimated 1.3 million low-income New Yorkers, helping more residents afford transportation to work, school, health care, and other essential destinations.

Finally, after years of litigation and months of negotiations, we are pleased that the Mamdani Administration and the Council have resolved their dispute over how to reform and expand the CityFHEPS rental assistance program, meaningfully helping shelter residents and low-income tenants without straining the city's budget. The plan finalized in the budget will put thousands of New York families on a path away from homelessness and displacement and toward housing stability.

This budget reflects New York City's continued commitment to protecting programs that advance health, economic opportunity, and equity for New Yorkers. CSS looks forward to building on this partnership with the Mamdani Administration and the Council to strengthen the City's safety net and ensure all New Yorkers have the resources they need to thrive.

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The Community Service Society of New York (CSS) has worked with and for New Yorkers since 1843 to promote economic opportunity and champion an equitable city and state. We power change through a strategic combination of research, services, and advocacy to make New York more livable for people facing economic insecurity. By expanding access to health care, affordable housing, employment opportunities, debt assistance, and more, we make a tangible difference in the lives of millions. Join us at www.cssny.org.

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