By: Kalimah Muhammad, Research Associate
Introduction
Income inequality across the United States has grown by every measure over the last 30 years.i A recent article from the CT Mirror reveals that Connecticut has one of the highest average incomes per resident in the United States, but is also one of the most unequal states.ii According to the 2023 U.S. Census data, the income gap between the top 5% of earners and the bottom 20% in Connecticut is among the widest nationally, with top earners averaging $362,263 annually and the bottom earners making only $14,576.iii A 2024 report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition (NLIHC) found that a full-time worker in Connecticut must earn at least $28 per hour to afford a standard two-bedroom apartment.iv This is nearly double the state’s minimum wage of $15.69.v The gap in the ability to afford housing is deeply racialized, as Black and Latino households are more likely to experience housing cost-burdens, spending well over 30% of their income on rent or mortgage.vi What’s most concerning about these discrepancies is their impact on the success of young adults throughout the state.
High housing costs, the stifling of low-income neighborhoods, and limited access to public resources create a cycle that makes upward mobility extremely difficult for young adults to succeed.vii Through interviews with policy experts and workforce development program directors, and analysis of state housing and workforce policies, this paper demonstrates that upward mobility is only possible when housing stability is paired with well-funded, accessible programs that bridge young people into higher education, skilled trades, and sustainable employment. While they provide temporary relief, many affordable housing and subsidy programs reinforce segregation, impose restrictive eligibility requirements, and leave structural inequities unaddressed.
The U.S. Partnership on Mobility from Poverty defines upward mobility as people achieving economic success, feeling valued in their communities, and possessing the power to influence policies that shape their everyday experiences.viii This emphasizes racial equity, support against systemic barriers, and the factors that communities can use to help residents thrive.ix Applying this model to Connecticut reveals that structural barriers keep communities of color and young adults locked out of opportunities.x Real mobility requires policies that move beyond short-term assistance by expanding tenant protections, dismantling exclusionary zoning, and investing in workforce development programs that offer living-wage jobs and clear career pathways.