Reporting Changes in Equality in New York City from 2015 to 2016

• In Event: Defining, Measuring, and Initiating Progress Toward Greater Equality in Justice and Beyond

Abstract

The Equality Indicators enable the multi-dimensional measurement of equality on an annual basis, allowing current levels of equality to be ascertained and progress or lack of progress assessed. While they were designed to be used in multiple cities, the Equality Indicators were piloted in NYC and it is the only city in which two years of data are currently available; thus, this paper examines where and to what extent progress has been made in Justice outcomes in NYC by looking at changes between 2015 and 2016.

We will first discuss the overall 2016 scores, and report on the extent to which citywide levels of equality have changed. We will then drill down into the findings within Justice at the theme, topic, and indicator level, explore the underlying factors which may have resulted in specific changes, and consider what can be done in areas where progress has stalled. For example, NYC has undertaken several initiatives to reduce crime in public housing, and one of our indicators will indicate what progress they have made in achieving that goal. Lastly, we will examine the interconnections between Justice and other domains, focusing on which outcomes may drive or be driven by outcomes in Justice.

Authors

• Qian Zhang, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance

• Victoria Z. Lawson, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance

• Besiki Luka Kutateladze, CUNY Institute for State and Local Governance