In 2015 the United Way of Treasure Valley released an in-depth study called ALICE, which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed; this was a community assessment of working families and the ability to afford the basic cost of living in Idaho. Basic expenses include housing, child care, food, transportation, and health care. (Please note, researchers of this study used 2013 data.)
This United Way ALICE Project was conducted in the Pacific Northwest (Washington, Oregon & Idaho). Through research on this project, in 2013, it was discovered that 15% (87,233 households) of Idaho’s population lived in poverty, and on top of that 22% (13,397 households) were ALICE.
This means that 35% of Idaho’s population was struggling to afford basic needs in 2013.
Who is ALICE? All the people who make too much money to qualify for government safety net programs, but too little money to adequately support their families every month. According to the report, “These families are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent, which have long-term consequences for ALICE and our communities.” Many of you already knew this based on the amazing work you do in your communities, but there is now data to support these claims.
Click here to find out what ALICE looks like in your community!
Click here to learn more about ALICE and the United Way Project!