ALICE Indiana Program

WHO IS ALICE? ALICE is your child care worker, your parent on Social Security, the cashier at your supermarket, the gas attendant, the salesperson at your big box store, your waitress, a home health aide, an office clerk. ALICE cannot always pay the bills, has little or nothing in savings, and is forced to make tough choices such as deciding between quality child care or paying the rent. One unexpected car repair or medical bill can push these financially strapped families over the edge. IN 2016, 979,538 HOOSIER HOUSEHOLDS WERE UNABLE TO AFFORD THE BASICS OF HOUSING, FOOD, HEALTH CARE, CHILD CARE AND TRANSPORTATION DESPITE WORKING HARD. ALICE AND POVERTY HOUSEHOLDS, ACCOUNT FOR 39 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS AND STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE BASICS. The basic cost of living: The cost of basic household expenses in Indiana increased steadily to $52,836 for a family of four (two adults with one infant and one preschooler) and $19,620 for a single adult – significantly higher than the Federal Poverty Level (otherwise known as the FPL) of $24,300 for a family and $11,880 for a single adult. The cost of the family budget increased by 23 percent from 2010 to 2016. Jobs: Low-wage jobs continued to dominate the landscape in Indiana, with 65 percent of all jobs paying less than $20 per hour. Although unemployment rates were falling, wages remained low for many occupations. With more contract work and on-demand jobs, job instability also increased, making it difficult for ALICE workers to meet regular monthly expenses or to save. The societal costs of having large numbers of U.S. residents in poor health will also grow. 2018 INDIANA ALICE REPORT (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD) 2018 ALICE REPORT - COUNTY INFORMATION (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD) INDIANA ALICE HOUSEHOLD SURVIVAL BUDGETS (BY COUNTY) FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT Aspen Clemons (Impact & Outcomes Manager): 317.660.8399, Aspen.Clemons@iuw.org OR Maureen Noe (Indiana United Ways President & CEO): 317.660.8405, maureen.noe@iuw.org