Equality means dignity: Report highlights how working Americans struggle

By Ali Solis and Eileen Fitzgerald January 23, 2017

This week we celebrated the contributions of a great American Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The United Way’s
recently released ALICE report raises the question of whether Dr. King’s Dreams for America are achievable in
today’s society. The movement that Dr. King led was not only inspirational, but it was essential. We know that his
voice is stilled today, but we must continue to heed his message.

United Way’s ALICE Report provides a comprehensive look at working families who are struggling financially in 13
states, and found that at least 31 percent of households in each state could not afford basic needs such as housing,
child care, food, health care, and transportation in 2014.

While there are many households across the country that are living below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL), there
are a significant number of households who qualify as, what United Way has deemed, “ALICE” – Asset Limited,
Income Constrained, and Employed.

The report collected and analyzed data from 13 states (Connecticut, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana,
Maryland, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin) and determined that millions of
working Americans are struggling and unable to live a life of dignity. It is important to note that there are 8.5 million
renters with incomes below the ALICE threshold, yet there are fewer than 5.6 million available rental homes –
subsidized and market rate – that these households can afford without being severely cost-burdened. That is a gap
of 3 million homes.

Continue reading: The Hill

Read the complete 2016 ALICE Multi-State Comparison