blog post Low-income and Undocumented Californians Struggle with Mental Health By Patricia Malagon, Paulette Cha, Shalini Mustala Oct 2, 2023 Nearly one in five low-income adults in California report having serious psychological distress, and those who are undocumented can face barriers to care. California has taken steps to improve access to mental health care, such as expanding Medi-Cal to all low-income residents regardless of age or immigration status, effective January 2024.
Report Transportation Spending by Low-Income California Households: Lessons for the San Francisco Bay Area By Lorien A. Rice Jul 26, 2004 In Transportation Spending by Low-Income California Households: Lessons for the San Francisco Bay Area, Lorien Rice explores the roles that transportation expenditures play in household budgets, both in California’s metropolitan areas and in the Bay Area more specifically. In particular, Rice analyzes vehicle and transit expenditure data, estimates costs for various commutes in the Bay Area, and explores mode choices and other travel factors that influence monetary costs. Her findings indicate that transportation was the third-largest budget item for California’s low-income households—despite the fact that these residents are more likely to use public transit, carpool, or walk to work. Rice also reviews policy options to address transportation affordability and proposes ideas for further research.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Nov 9, 2021 Our latest survey examines views on the state’s economy as well as residents’ perspectives on their employment and personal finances.
Report Higher Education and Economic Opportunity in California By Hans Johnson, Marisol Cuellar Mejia Nov 4, 2020 The pandemic and its economic impact have highlighted longstanding social inequities: low-income and less-educated workers are bearing the brunt of both the virus and the downturn. Now more than ever, policymakers and higher education leaders must find avenues for low income and underrepresented students to access the benefits of a college degree.
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Rachel Lawler, Deja Thomas Nov 9, 2022 Amid rising prices and economic uncertainty, more than two in three Californians are pessimistic about how the state’s economy will do over the next year. An overwhelming majority of employed Californians are at least somewhat satisfied with their jobs, but satisfaction declines among lower-income residents.
blog post California’s Renters By Eric McGhee, Marisol Cuellar Mejia, Hans Johnson Feb 27, 2024 California's housing shortage puts particular financial pressure on renters, who account for more than four in ten of the state's households. What do we know about California's renters and how they are faring in the current housing market?
Statewide Survey PPIC Statewide Survey: Californians and Their Economic Well-Being By Mark Baldassare, Dean Bonner, Lauren Mora, Deja Thomas Nov 8, 2023 Key findings include: A record-high 71 percent of Californians believe that children growing up in the state today will be worse off financially than their parents. Three in ten workers fear losing their jobs to new technology like artificial intelligence. A majority say that California will have bad economic times in the next 12 months; about half approve of how Governor Newsom is handling jobs and the economy.
Fact Sheet California’s Cash-Based Safety Net By Caroline Danielson May 20, 2024 Cash assistance helps keep low-income Californians out of poverty. Tax credits help those with low—and sometimes no—incomes, while several programs provide monthly assistance to children and other targeted populations.
blog post Are Eligible Undocumented Immigrants Claiming the CalEITC and Young Child Tax Credit? By Tess Thorman Apr 4, 2024 Low-income Californians who file their tax returns with Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers (ITINs)—primarily undocumented immigrants—are eligible for the California Earned Income Tax Credit and the Young Child Tax Credit. We examine trends in ITIN filers' claiming of these credits and discuss ways to improve uptake.
blog post Testimony: California’s K–12 Digital Divide Has Narrowed, but Access Gaps Persist By Niu Gao Feb 21, 2024 At an Assembly Education Committee hearing on addressing students’ post-pandemic needs, PPIC senior fellow Niu Gao discussed the role that federal, state, and local efforts have played in increasing digital connectivity and outlined key challenges that remain.
