Income

In order to boost economic success for all, state policymakers must strengthen workforce development policies that maintain the advancement of low-income workers. In addition, state leaders must reinforce economic development policies that generate family-supporting jobs with good benefits. Tax credits must be expanded, in addition to child care subsidies, health care coverage, and other policies that aid the low-income population of Hartford. It is critical that the greatest opportunities presently available in Hartford are identified in order to improve community-wide results in the area of family-sustaining income. Existing opportunities to access benefits in terms of income can be improved, as well as opportunities to integrate efficient and useful asset building programs in terms of financial education.

Existing Opportunity

• Enhance access to benefits: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance/Earned Income Tax Credit (VITA/EITC) program of the Hartford Asset Building Collaborative led by Co-Opportunity, the potential state EITC, Earned Benefits Online/2-1-1 Navigator/ABC benefits calculator, and the Connecticut Department of Social Services moving to on-line applications.
• o Integrate effective asset building programs: Co-opportunity’s Budget Coaching Program and the Financial Resource Center for low-income families, Community Renewal Team’s Family Service Centers, the Cities of Financial Empowerment Coalition, Connecticut Money School, and the Sustainable Communities project.
• Work with the business community to retain employees and attract new ones. Good examples include The Hartford’s Asylum Hill initiative, Common Ground’s Swift Factory Plan, the Bridges Program (a partnership of Local 1199,

White Paper: Income

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