Affordability has become a central issue for millions of Americans striving to get by and get ahead. Elected officials as diverse as President Donald Trump, New York City mayor Zohran Mamdani, and newly inaugurated New Jersey and Virginia governors Mikie Sherrill and Abigail Spanberger are prioritizing affordability and reducing high costs. In response, the Urban Institute continues its work to better understand what it truly takes for families to thrive. 

Building on our previous work, Urban researchers have updated and enhanced the True Cost of Economic Security measure for 2023. This comprehensive measure captures the full range of household costs and the resources families rely on to meet those costs. The updated measure includes the costs of caring for a person with self-care disabilities and the resources derived from homeownership. 

Please join the Urban Institute and the National True Cost of Living Coalition, a partnership between the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies and the Community Service Society of New York, for a discussion on the updated measure and how policymakers and researchers can leverage insights from this research to improve American families’ well-being.

Opening Remarks:

• Mary K. Cunningham, Senior Vice President, Research and Programs, Urban Institute 

Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies Remarks: 

• Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies; Cochair, National True Cost of Living Coalition 

Keynote: 

• Gwen Moore, US Representative, Wisconsin’s Fourth District
• Marc Veasey, US Representative, Texas's 33rd District

Research Presentation:

• Ilham Dehry, Senior Research Associate, Tax and Income Supports Division, Urban Institute

Panel: 

• Gregory Acs, Vice President, Tax and Income Supports Division, Urban Institute
• Afua Atta-Mensah, Chief Equity Officer and Commissioner, New York City Mayor's Office of Equity and Racial Justice
• Heidi Goldberg, Senior Director, Economic Opportunity and Workforce, Center for Municipal Strategies and Programs, National League of Cities
• Kirabo "Bo" Jackson, Abraham Harris Professor of Education and Social Policy, Northwestern University
• Jim Taylor, Chief Institutional Health and Culture Officer, Urban Institute (moderator)

We strive to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals to engage fully. Please email [email protected] if you require any accommodations or have any questions about this event. 

Support for this event is provided by the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies. Further information on the Urban Institute’s funding principles is available at urban.org/about/organizational-principles.