Who is ALICE?

Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed

ACROSS MICHIGAN, 43 PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS STRUGGLE TO AFFORD THE BASIC NECESSITIES OF HOUSING, CHILD CARE, FOOD, TECHNOLOGY, HEALTH CARE AND TRANSPORTATION.

That's why United Ways across Michigan, with help from the Consumers Energy Foundation, have come together to bring you the ALICE Project.

The ALICE Report is the most comprehensive depiction of need in Michigan to date. In the five years since the Michigan Association of United Ways has released its first ALICE Report, Michigan residents have started to get a clearer picture of their neighbors, loved ones, friends, and acquaintances than ever before.

The 2019 release of our third ALICE Report continues to inform the conversation about the real and present needs of our residents. The newest report shows the increased cost of living, combined with low wages, reduced work hours, and depleted savings has led to an uneven economic recovery in Michigan. That’s why Michigan United Ways remain committed to serving ALICE, and all those in need, through programs that strive to improve the health, education, and financial stability of all Michigan residents.

THE UNITED WAY ALICE REPORT REVEALS THE FINANCIAL HARDSHIPS OF MANY MICHIGAN HOUSEHOLDS.

THE CONSEQUENCES

Over 40 percent of U.S. households earn below the ALICE Threshold, which means that millions of families are forced to make difficult choices and risky trade-offs every day.

This report below highlights how choices in one area invariably affect choices in other areas. The problems are complicated and interwoven. With this clear documentation of the issues and how they are interconnected, community stakeholders can start to build solutions for their neighborhoods, towns and cities, counties, and states. For solutions to be effective, they must be comprehensive and interconnected to address as many areas of struggle as possible.