A survey released yesterday by United Neighborhood Houses (UNH) reports that its member organizations -- New York City’s 37 settlement houses and community centers – are facing severe challenges as a result of the recession. The brief survey, taken earlier this month, found that UNH member organizations have sustained significant cuts in government contracts, foundation grants, and individual contributions, resulting in loss of services and staff layoffs – all  at a time that demand for services and social distress in poor communities has risen considerably.  

Revenue losses faced by human service providers in the UNH network are daunting: 90% of UNH member organizations have incurred funding reductions from foundation grants, 60% from government contracts, and 55% from individual contributions. 

The reduced revenues have taken a significant toll on services. For example, ample, 53% of UNH member agencies that run teen programs have had to eliminate or reduce program components; 33% have reduced program slots; and 27% have closed programs altogether.  Half of UNY member agencies that run child care and early childhood education programs have had to create or expand their waitlists, 48% have had to reduce or eliminate program components and 13% have had to close programs.

Agency staff are also bearing the burden.  As a result of reduced resources, 80% of UNH members have delayed or reduced planned salary increases, 77% have laid off staff, and 40% have reduced staff benefits. Approximately a third of UNH member agencies have implemented a hiring freeze.

The cuts have come as the need for services is growing.

“During this downturn, low to moderate income communities are the most adversely affected,” said Nancy Wackstein, Executive Director of UNH. “It is essential that government maintain funding levels for human services in order to forestall deeper problems for residents of these communities. As the State and City create their budgets for the coming fiscal year, we call on our leaders and partners in government to preserve New York’s human service capacity and thereby ensure the speediest recovery possible for every New York neighborhood.”

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