ALICE

ALICE, an acronym which stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, is a way of defining our families, neighbors, and colleagues who work hard, earn above the federal poverty level, but not enough to afford a basic household budget.

ALICE educates our children, keeps us healthy, and makes our quality of life possible. But these low-wage jobs, often in the service sector, do not pay enough for ALICE to live on. These families are forced to make tough choices, such as deciding between quality childcare or paying the rent, which have long-term consequences for ALICE and our communities. The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of ALICE households.

Watch this video to hear one family's ALICE story

What is the United Way ALICE Initiative?

The United Way ALICE Initiative is a collaborative research effort identifying and communicating the needs of the voiceless part of our communities; allowing for local change-makers to understand, measure, and advance change to improve the lives of ALICE households, ultimately strengthening our communities.

ALICE Data

United Ways have developed data resources to enable community planners, housing experts, policymakers, nonprofits, and business leaders to map key ALICE variables, compare geographies, and take action to promote financial stability at state and local levels. Check out the links below to learn more about ALICE populations: