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ALICE

ALICE CoverAcross Wisconsin, households struggle to afford the basic necessities of housing, child care, health care, food, and transportation.

Who is ALICE?

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

United Way Wisconsin's ALICE Report shows many faced financial insecurity before COVID‐19. In 2018, 34 percent of Wisconsin’s 2.4 million households were struggling to afford basic necessities like housing, child care, food, transportation, and internet access.

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.

What is United for ALICE?

United for ALICE is a collaboration of more than 648 United Ways in 21 states, including Wisconsin. ALICE research provides our state’s most comprehensive look to-date at the portion of the population that earns above the federal poverty level, but still struggles to afford a basic household budget. The project provides a framework and language for stakeholders to reassess public and corporate policies and implement
changes that improve lives.

Learn more about ALICE: