New research zeroes in on households living paycheck to paycheck, yet often with income that’s too high for assistance
Submitted by Aimee Adler Cooke
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – In 2023, 37% of workers in Florida’s 20 most common jobs lived in households that couldn’t afford basics, according to new data from United Way of Broward County and its research partner United For ALICE. These workers – the backbone of every community – include retail salespersons and customer service representatives, fast food and counter workers, stockers and order fillers, cashiers, and registered nurses.
The State of ALICE in Florida reveals that traditional measures of poverty have severely undercounted the number of households statewide that are living in financial hardship. While 13% of all households in the county lived in poverty in 2023, the new research shows that 37% more than twice as many were ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). Combined, 47% of State’s households fell below the ALICE Threshold of Financial Survival in 2023, up from 35% 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 misjudge the number of families living on the edge, we misjudge what it truly takes to create prosperous communities,” said Kathleen Cannon, President/CEO of United Way of Broward County. “Entire households and the essential workers who keep our economy running can slip through the cracks, missing out on the resources they need for good health, financial security, and the chance to reach their full potential. That shortfall hurts not only ALICE families—it diminishes 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 Broward needed $87,732 just to cover the essentials – nearly three times the Federal Poverty Level of $30,000. 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 by $57,732
The State of ALICE in (State) also reveals that in 2023:
Florida ranked 48th in financial hardship among all 50 states plus the District of Columbia, with one of the nation’s highest percentages of households struggling to make ends meet.
Some groups face financial hardship at disproportionate rates, with 72% of the youngest and 63% of the oldest households in Broward falling below the ALICE Threshold, compared with 47% of households headed by someone age 25-44.
Housing continues to be an obstacle for struggling families. Among households below the ALICE Threshold in Florida, 28% of households that rented and 54% 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 the data to build solutions that offer better choices and real pathways to stability.”
More state and local data is available through the interactive dashboards on UnitedForALICE.org/Florida.
About United Way of Broward County
United Way of Broward County is a volunteer-driven, community-based, non-profit organization serving Broward County for more than 85 years. United Way of Broward County fights for the Health, Education and Financial Prosperity of EVERY person in our community. United Way of Broward County is the catalyst for change and convener of partnerships that unite the hearts, minds, and resources within the Broward community. For more information, visit www.UnitedWayBroward.org.
