New Research zeroes in on households living paycheck to paycheck, yet often with income that's too high for assistance
York, PA - In 2023, 29% of workers in Pennsylvania's 20 most common jobs lived in households that couldn't afford basics, according to new data from United Way of York County and its research partner United For ALICE. These workers - the backbone of every community - include personal care aides, janitors, cashiers, and waiters and waitresses.
The State of ALICE in Pennsylvania that traditional measures of poverty have severely undercounted the number of households countywide that are living in financial hardship. While 9% of all households in York County lived in poverty in 2023, the new research shows that 26% - more than twice as many - were ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Combined, 35% of York County's households fell below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival in 2023, up from 34% in 2022.
ALICE households bring in less than the basic costs of housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, and technology, plus taxes. Yet because their income is above the Federal Poverty Level, they often don't qualify for assistance.
"When we underestimate how many households are struggling, we underestimate what it truly takes to build thriving communities," said Brian Grimm, President of United Way of York County, "This means entire families and essential workers may be overlooked for support, left without the resources they need to reach their fullest potential. That's a loss not just for ALICE, but for all of us."
The crux of the struggle for ALICE families is the gap between wages and expenses. In 2023, a family of four in York County needed over $83,000 just to cover the essentials. Yet even with both parents working full time in two of the state's most common jobs - a personal care aide and a stock worker/order filler - this family's combined income still fell short of the cost of basics.
The State of ALICE in Pennsylvania also reveals that in 2023:
- Pennsylvania ranked 24th in financial hardship among all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, with 1st representing the lowest rank of households struggling to make ends meet.
- Some groups face financial hardship at disproportionate rates, with 38% of the youngest and 49% of the oldest households in York County falling below the ALICE Threshold, compared with 27% of households headed by someone age 25-44.
- Housing continues to be an obstacle for struggling families. Among households below the ALICE Threshold in Pennsylvania, 69% of households that rented and 52% of those that owned were rent and housing burdened, meaning they paid 30% or more of their income on rent and housing costs.
"ALICE families are especially vulnerable during natural disasters and times of economic uncertainty, and yet often feel unseen or left behind," said Stephanie Hoopes, Ph.D., National Director at United For ALICE. "By providing a name and a way to quantify these households, we're equipping communities with data to build solutions that offer better choices and real pathways to stability."
To see how United Way of York County is assisting ALICE households on their journey toward financial stability, and to be part of the solution, visit www.unitedway-york.org/meet-alice.
About United Way of York County
For 100 years, United Way of York County has worked in the York County community to improve people's lives. It began as The York Welfare Federation, an organization that raised funds on behalf of 17 member agencies. Today, as United Way of York County, the mission remains the same, but the strategies have evolved in order to meet the growing and changing needs of people living in our York community.
In 2022, United Way of York County announced a three-year plan to transform its community impact to an issue-focused model, concentrating future efforts on the issue of working households struggling to cover basic living expenses. Approximately one in four York County households earn more than the federal poverty level but do not earn enough to pay for basic needs. United Way of York County's goal is to help bridge the gap for thousands of financially struggling, working families through short-term support while also building pathways to self-sufficiency. United Way of York County's goal is to assist hardworking households on their journey toward financial stability.
About United for ALICE
United For ALICE is a U.S. research organization driving innovation, research, and action to improve life across the country for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) and for all. Through the development of the ALICE measurements, a comprehensive, unbiased picture of financial hardship has emerged. Harnessing this data and research on the mismatch between low-paying jobs and the cost of survival, ALICE partners convene, advocate, and collaborate on solutions that promote financial stability at the local, state, and national levels. This grassroots ALICE movement, led by United Way of Northern New Jersey, has spread to 35 states and the District of Columbia and includes United Ways, corporations, nonprofits and foundations, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawai'i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington, Washington, D.C., West Virginia and Wisconsin; we are United For ALICE. For more information, visit: UnitedForALICE.org.