What is ALICE?
ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) describes households that earn more than the U.S. poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living for the county. They are unable to afford the basic necessities of housing, food, child care, health care, and transportation.
United Way’s ALICE Report quantifies the size of the workforce in Palm Beach County that is struggling financially, and the reasons why. Twenty-eight percent of county households are employed but cannot meet their basic needs. ALICE, along with the 12% of county residents below Federal Poverty Level, represents 40% of county residents who can’t make ends meet.
Why ALICE Matters
ALICE workers are essential to the fabric of our society. ALICE works in jobs that are integral to our communities, from child care educators and home health aides to mechanics – all workers we rely on every day.
The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of ALICE households. When ALICE suffers and is forced to make difficult choices, we all face serious consequences.
VIEW 2017 REPORT | VIEW 2017 SNAPSHOT REPORT (3 pages)
To explore ALICE’s situation in-depth, try this interactive simulation game and discussion:
Instructions/Discussion Guide | Game Board | PowerPoint | Handout
