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Meet ALICE

ALICE families earn above the Federal Poverty Level, but do not earn enough to afford the minimum household budget of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care and necessary technology. With ALICE and poverty populations combined, we know 39.2% -- more than one in three households -- in Northeast Florida struggle to make ends meet. Pandemic assistance helped lessen the economic crisis caused by COVID-19, but many local residents continue to face financial hardship – especially in communities of color, with 55% of Black households and 46% of Hispanic households in Northeast Florida below the ALICE threshold compared to 34% of white households.

What does ALICE stand for?

ALICE is a United Way acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE is a hardworking member of the community who is employed yet does not earn enough to afford the basic necessities of life due to high costs and factors often beyond their control. For many, a small emergency can quickly become a major financial crisis. Car repairs and health-care emergencies, to name just a few, can plunge these working families over the edge into poverty and financial chaos. When this happens, families, employers and our economy suffer.

 

Research on this population is led nationally by United For ALICE, who – in partnership with United Way of Northeast Florida and other United Ways across the U.S. – raises awareness of and advocates for individuals and families living below the ALICE threshold (the ALICE population and families in poverty).

How You Can Help ALICE

At United Way of Northeast Florida, we know too many people struggle every day in our community, and it’s important to provide everyone an equal opportunity to succeed. That’s why we’re committed to helping individuals and families below the ALICE threshold reach their full potential.

We are working to improve economic mobility for all Northeast Florida residents by developing and investing in programs and initiatives that make it easier for people to break the cycle of poverty and live a better life. You can help by making a gift to support the ALICE population and families in poverty below.

2023 Florida Report

ALICE in the Crosscurrent: COVID and Financial Hardship in Florida
Click the button(s) bellow to download the latest report or visit the online data dashboard.

Florida Report Florida Data Dashboard

By the Numbers in Northeast Florida

39

percent of households below the ALICE threshold

55

percent of Black households below the ALICE threshold compared to 34 percent of white households

84072

dollars is the annual ALICE Household Survival Budget for a family of four