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NYC Social Services Spending Surges 50% Post-Pandemic

2/26/2026

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Summary

Story summary

New York City social services spending has risen over 50% since the pandemic, per state budget director Blake Washington.
Washington says the city must refine spending as the Mamdani administration seeks $5.4 billion from the state to balance the budget.
Meanwhile, upstate New York has cut its budget by about 25%.
The city's housing voucher allocation has grown to over $1.8 billion, with FHEPs projected to reach $3.2 billion annually.

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Story summary

New York City social services spending has risen over 50% since the pandemic, per state budget director Blake Washington.
Washington says the city must refine spending as the Mamdani administration seeks $5.4 billion from the state to balance the budget.
Meanwhile, upstate New York has cut its budget by about 25%.
The city's housing voucher allocation has grown to over $1.8 billion, with FHEPs projected to reach $3.2 billion annually.