WHAT IS THE 'ALICE' REPORT?
Traditional economic measures underestimate the actual cost of basics. To better capture the reality of household costs in each Michigan county, United For ALICE provides budgets that are tailored by location and household type.
Who is ALICE?
ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) may be a relative or friend. You may be ALICE. As cashiers, waiters, child care providers, and other members of our essential workforce, ALICE earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices each day. While such hardship is pervasive, households of color are disproportionately ALICE.
Essential, Working, Struggling
For a growing number of U.S. households, financial stability is nothing more than a pipe dream, no matter how hard their members work. These households are ALICE – Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed – earning above the Federal Poverty Level yet struggling to afford basic expenses.
ALICE households:
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Span all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately ALICE
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Include workers whose wages cannot keep up with the rising cost of goods and services
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Often include those who are working two or more jobs and still cannot pay their bills
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Include family members who need care and assistance, which makes it harder for their caregivers to find adequate work
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Live paycheck to paycheck and are forced to make impossible choices: pay the rent or buy food, receive medical care or pay for child care, pay utility bills or put gas in the car
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Are part of every community nationwide
ALICE may be your relative, friend, colleague, or neighbor, or you might be ALICE. ALICE may also be your health care provider, teacher, retail clerk, sanitation worker, and others. ALICE workers are the backbone of our economy, with the pandemic making it crystal clear just how much we need them.
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