NBC: New Yorkers are fed up and broke — but still compassionate, new poll shows

Almost half of Big Apple residents say they’ve considered leaving New York City because of mounting financial pressure, with a staggering 61% saying it’s increasingly difficult to pay for basic needs, according to a new poll.

The People’s Pulse Poll found New Yorkers are feeling bleak and helpless about the city’s future. So why do they stay?

“The number one response was actually affordability. People said they couldn’t afford to move,” said Grace Rauh of the 5Boro Institute which spearheaded the joint survey conducted by several local foundations. “And the kicker is that they’re really not all that confident in the city government’s ability to address major challenges.”

An overwhelming majority — 84% of residents surveyed — said NYC is in a mental health crisis. But despite resulting safety concerns and fear of riding the subways, more than half of New Yorkers chose empathy over anger and frustration when asked to select which of two written descriptions more closely describes how they feel.

Among those polled, 58% said they “mostly feel empathy for people who are struggling with these issues, even when they make me uncomfortable in public and I wish it wasn’t happening. It makes me sad that people who clearly need the help aren’t getting it.”

Twenty-three percent said they “mostly feel anger and frustration at people who are struggling with these issues and acting out in public while making life harder for other New Yorkers.”  Another 17% chose to write in a different response.

“There is a safety concern, but the majority of people want people to get the services that they need. They are not looking for people to be policed or arrested. They really feel this empathy,” Jocelynne Rainey, CEO of Brooklyn.org said.

Continue Reading at nbcnewyork.com