ALICE

ALICE may be a relative or friend. You may be ALICE. Many hardworking Minnesotans are living paycheck to paycheck, forced to make impossible decisions each month such as choosing between paying rent or buying food, receiving medical care or paying for child care.There’s an acronym for those who live this experience every day: ALICE.

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households earn above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford household basics in the communities where they live. We all know ALICE workers, and rely on them every day.

• ALICE spans all races, ages, ethnicities, and abilities, though households of color are disproportionately affected.
• ALICE includes workers whose wages can't keep pace with the rising cost of goods and services.
• Many ALICE households involve individuals working two or more jobs but still struggling to pay their bills.
• ALICE often includes family members who require care, making it difficult for their caregivers to secure adequate employment.
• ALICE families live paycheck to paycheck, constantly forced to make tough decisions between basic necessities, with no room for financial flexibility.
• ALICE is part of every community nationwide.

Why ALICE Matters?

By addressing the challenges ALICE faces, we not only improve the lives of these families but also strengthen our entire community. Investing in ALICE households helps create a more equitable society where everyone has the opportunity to thrive. The success of our community is directly tied to ensuring ALICE families have access to the resources and support they need to build a stable future.

Without intervention, ALICE households are forced to make impossible choices every day:

• Should they pay rent or buy food?
• Seek medical care or cover childcare costs?
• Pay utility bills or put gas in the car?

These choices don’t just affect individual families; they have long-term implications for community well-being. Addressing these challenges is critical to breaking the cycle of financial hardship and fostering economic growth that benefits everyone.

ALICE isn’t just a statistic—it’s our neighbors, friends, and colleagues. Supporting initiatives that provide access to affordable housing, healthcare, childcare, and other essential services is crucial in building stronger, more resilient communities. Together, we can help ALICE not only survive but thrive.

ALICE in our Community

From 2021 to 2022, the number of households living paycheck to paycheck in Minnesota increased to 36%, or 834,343 households. This includes 233,779 in poverty and 600,564 ALICE households.

ALICE in our local counties in 2022:

• Crow Wing County:
  • 28% of households were ALICE, compared to the state average of 26%
  • 12% of households were in poverty, compared to the state average of 10%
  • More households are struggling per capita than the state average, with 40% percent below the ALICE threshold.
• Cass County:
  • 29% of households were ALICE, compared to the state average of 26%
  • 12% of households were in poverty, compared to the state average of 10%
  • More households are struggling per capita than the state average, with 41% percent below the ALICE threshold.
• Aitkin County:
  • 33% of households were ALICE, compared to the state average of 26%
  • 14% of households were in poverty, compared to the state average of 10%
  • More households are struggling per capita than the state average, with 47% percent below the ALICE threshold.