Stefani Zinerman - Assembly District 56 |Assembly Member Directory

Cost of Living & Household Stability

This section asks about the everyday costs and pressures affecting you or people you help support. We’re looking to understand what families and households are navigating right now as prices rise across housing, food, healthcare, and other essentials.

1.

Which of the following pressures are affecting you or people you help support right now?

Rent or mortgage costs

Food costs

Healthcare or prescriptions

Childcare or elder care

Income that does not keep up with the cost of living

Housing instability or fear of displacement

Property taxes or home maintenance

Utilities

Debt

None of the above

2.

In the past year, have rising costs forced you to make difficult trade-offs (for yourself or people you support)?

Yes, regularly

Yes, occasionally

Not yet, but I’m concerned

No

2a.

If yes, which trade-offs have you had to make?

Skipped or delayed medical care

Fell behind on rent or utilities

Took on debt

Reduced food quality or quantity

Worked multiple jobs

Other

Housing Situation & Stability

Housing stability is central to family well-being and neighborhood strength. These questions help us understand residents’ current housing situations and the concerns that feel most urgent for staying rooted in the community.

3.

Which best describes your current housing situation?

Rent-stabilized tenant

Market-rate tenant

Homeowner

Living with family or friends

Temporary or unstable housing

4.

What housing concerns feel most urgent to you right now — for yourself, your family, or your neighbors? (Select up to 3)

Rent increases

Eviction or non-renewal

Poor building conditions

Deed theft or fraud

Foreclosure

Overcrowding

Property tax increases

Being forced out of the neighborhood

5.

What would most help stabilize housing or households in our community? (Select up to 3)

Stronger tenant protections

Homeowner legal protections

Deed theft prevention

Property tax relief for seniors

Affordable homeownership pathways

Access to legal or housing counseling

Faster enforcement against bad landlords

Financial Outlook & Income Stability

This section focuses on financial stability and income adequacy. We are interested in whether income is steady and sufficient to meet your everyday needs in New York City. Understanding financial confidence and worry helps identify where support, protections, or resources are most needed.

6.

How confident do you feel about financial stability over the next year — for your household or those you help support? (single choice)

Very confident

Somewhat confident

Uncertain

Somewhat worried

Very worried

7.

How would you describe your current income situation? (single choice)

My income comfortably covers my needs

My income covers my needs but leaves little room for emergencies

My income does not consistently cover my basic expenses

My income is unpredictable or unstable

I rely partly on income from shared households or supporting others

Prefer not to say

Community Care, Safety & Connection

Safety and well-being are shaped by more than policing. These questions explore what helps people feel supported, connected, and cared for in their neighborhood—from community networks to health and youth supports.

8.

What most helps you feel safe and supported in your neighborhood? (Select up to 3)

Trained neighbors (CPR, Narcan, mental health first aid)

Youth programs and mentorship

Violence interruption or mediation

Clean, well-maintained buildings and streets

Strong tenant or homeowner networks

Access to healthcare and mental health services

9.

How connected do you feel to people in your neighborhood? (single choice)

Very connected

Somewhat connected

Not very connected

Isolated

Community Responsibility & Participation

Many residents contribute to community stability by supporting family members, neighbors, or local institutions. This section recognizes those forms of care and asks how people would like to stay engaged in building a stronger community.

10.

Many residents help support others beyond their immediate household. Does this apply to you? (check all that apply)

I provide financial support to family members

I help care for children or elders

I help neighbors or community members

I support local institutions or organizations

This does not apply to me

11.

How would you like to be involved in building a stronger community? (check all that apply)

Community trainings (health, housing, safety)

Tenant or homeowner education

Youth mentorship

Community health or safety efforts

Community meetings or forums

Just staying informed

Vision

This final section invites you to share your vision. We want to hear, in your own words, what a thriving Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights looks like to you—now and for future generations.

12.

In your own words, what does a thriving Bedford-Stuyvesant & Crown Heights look like to you?

Stay Connected

This section allows you to receive updates about resources, trainings, and next steps connected to this survey.

Would you like to receive updates about resources, trainings, or next steps connected to this survey? If you select “Yes,” we may use the email address collected by this form to share community updates and resources. You may also choose to share a phone number for text updates.

Yes

No

About You (All optional)

These optional questions help us understand whose experiences are reflected in this survey so we can respond thoughtfully and equitably.

13.

Which age group best describes you? (single choice)

Under 18

18–24

25–34

35–44

45–54

55–64

65+

Prefer not to say

14.

How long have you been connected to Bedford-Stuyvesant or Crown Heights? (single choice)

Less than 1 year

1–4 years

5–9 years

10–19 years

20+ years

15.

Which best describes your connection to the community? (single choice)

I live in Bedford-Stuyvesant

I live in Crown Heights

I live nearby

I work or own a business here

I support family or community here

Prefer not to say

16.

Which racial or ethnic group(s) do you identify with? (select all that apply)

Black / African American

Caribbean / West Indian

African

Latino/a/x

Asian

Middle Eastern / North African

Indigenous

White

Other

17.

Which best describes your current financial situation? (single choice)

Financially comfortable

Stable but cautious

Experiencing financial strain

Supporting others who are experiencing strain