ALICE report spotlights struggle to make ends meet

The Louisiana Association of United Ways (LAUW), along with United Way of Acadiana, St. Landry-Evangeline United Way and United Way of Iberia and nine additional United Ways across the state, have released the United Way ALICE report for Louisiana.
ALICE — Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — places a spotlight on a large population of hardworking residents who are struggling to make ends meet, have little or no savings and are one emergency away from falling into poverty.
In Louisiana, 695,719 households — 40 percent of the state total — are unable to afford basic cost of living, with conditions still lagging behind pre-recession levels, according to the report.
In Acadiana, 54,000 or 36 percent of families, do not earn enough to consistently cover basic living expenses. The report also reveals that an individual in Louisiana needs to earn $17,304 a year to make ends meet, and a family of four needs to earn $42,444 a year to be able to afford the basics of housing, food, healthcare, childcare and transportation.
In Acadia Parish, approximately 44 percent of the 22,561 households are reported at the poverty or ALICE level of income.
According to the report, which is based on population figures from 2013, a family of four — two adults, one infant and one preschooler — needs to earn $39,420 annually, or $3,285 a month, just to meet expenses.
A single adult needs a minimum of $16,680 annually — $1,390 a month — to meet expenses.
“We believe this report could be placed in the center of tables across Louisiana to inspire the right kind of conversations — in non-profits, churches, businesses, municipal and state government offices, even on the dinner table in homes,” said Sarah Berthelot, president and CEO of LAUW.
“The United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana provides statewide and hyper-local data. Sadly, there is no single solution to ‘fix’ the challenges that so many in Louisiana face.
“However, armed with information from this report, everyone can make more informed decisions to create policies, programs and priorities to improve the lives of ALICE in Louisiana.”
To download the 263-page report that provides parish-by-parish and town-level data visit www.launitedway.org, which also features an interactive, online map that summarizes the scale of ALICE in each parish.
“ALICE is an important and vital member of Louisiana communities,” said United Way of Acadiana President and CEO Margaret Trahan.
“It’s time that we understand ALICE better so that well-intended programs do a better job of addressing what can actually improve quality of life for ALICE and the families they support.
“United Way of Acadiana’s goal is to create long-lasting change by addressing the underlying causes of our community’s problems.
“Understanding ALICE helps us develop more successful approaches to long-lasting change and create brighter futures.”
The United Way ALICE Report is the most comprehensive depiction of financial need in the state to date, using data from a variety of sources, including the U.S. Census. The report unveils new measures, based on present-day income levels and expenses that show how may Louisiana workers struggle financially and why.
To produce the United Way ALICE Report for Louisiana, a team of researchers collaborated with a Research Advisory Committee, composed of 19 representatives from around Louisiana, who advised and contributed to the report.
Louisiana is one of the first 10 states in the country to produce an ALICE study.
This collaborative model, practiced in each state, ensures each United Way ALICE Report presents unbiased data that is replicable, easily updated on a regular basis, and sensitive to local context. Working closely with United Ways, the United Way ALICE Project seeks to equip communities with information to create innovative solutions.
“United Ways throughout Louisiana have come together to give an identity and voice to people who work hard and yet struggle to make ends meet — people we call ALICE,” said Berthelot. “LAUW has been honored to lead this collaborative effort in our state.”
The Entergy Corporation serves as the lead state sponsor and the Louisiana representative on the National ALICE Advisory Council. As a Louisiana Friend of ALICE, JPMorgan Chase is also a supporter of this project.
“Entergy is committed to giving back to the community, because we can only be as strong as the communities we serve,” said Patty Riddlebarger, director of corporate social responsibility at Entergy Corporation.
“As one of only two Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Louisiana, we take seriously our responsibility to support efforts such as the United Way ALICE Project.
“The ALICE Project is a road map to stronger communities and economic development. We will use this report to do our part, knowing it will take everyone working together to create a brighter future for all Louisianians.”