ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and represents the growing number of working families who struggle to afford the basics of housing, childcare, food, transportation, healthcare, and technology.
ALICE could be your relative, friend, co-worker, or neighbor. ALICE may also be a teacher, health care provider, retail clerk, sanitation worker, and other members of our essential workforce. These working families are in parts of every community nationwide.
ALICE households include:
Griffin-Spalding County United Way will use ALICE measures to highlight challenges ALICE households face to inspire action and generate innovative solutions that promote economic and social mobility. These programs and practices improve access to affordable housing, high-quality childcare, education, healthy food, transportation, healthcare, workforce training, and more. United for ALICE will turn data into action by bringing financial stability to ALICE families in our region.
Are ALICE families living in poverty? No. By definition, ALICE families are above the Federal Poverty Level. However, they are significantly impeded financially and are one unforeseen expense away from falling into poverty.
Is the head of an ALICE household working? Yes. The head of an ALICE household is gainfully employed with a full-time job and in many cases, has been loyally working for his or her employer for many years.
Is the head of an ALICE household seeking independence? Yes. The head of an ALICE household consistently pursues financial independence, often juggling multiple jobs to support their family. They possess a keen awareness of the economic challenges their family faces and are actively striving to solve them through gainful employment.
Are ALICE families rare? No. ALICE families are everywhere. According to the data, between 25% - 43% of households in our region fall into the ALICE designation. As core costs such as housing, childcare, and food continue to outpace wages, these families are increasingly falling further and further behind.
Are ALICE families easy to spot? No. ALICE families are your neighbors, coworkers, and community members, people you likely interact with every single day. They are the waiter at your favorite restaurant, the cashier at your neighborhood grocery store, the greeter welcoming you to church on Sunday, or the parent of your child’s best friend at school.