JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – More than a third of Northeast Florida households continue to struggle to make ends meet, according to the latest ALICE report from United Way of Northeast Florida and its research partner United For ALICE.
Though wages for the lowest-paying jobs in Florida continue to rise, 38.7% of households in Northeast Florida are living paycheck to paycheck or are in poverty.
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Based on 2022 U.S. Census data, these calculations include more than 72,000 Northeast Florida households in poverty as well as more than 187,000 families defined as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed). ALICE families earn above the Federal Poverty Level but less than the basic cost of living for their community.
ALICE families are typically those working one or more low-wage jobs with little to no savings. They are often overlooked and undercounted by traditional poverty measures, according to United Way.
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The report found deep racial disparities in the rates of financial hardship with 51% of Black households and 44% of Hispanic households in Northeast Florida below the ALICE threshold compared to 34% of white households. Age is also a factor in financial hardship, with 63% of individuals under age 25 and 49% of people over age 65 struggling to make ends meet. Northeast Florida includes the data from Duval, Baker, Clay, Nassau and St. Johns counties.
“Even now, on the other side of an economically devastating pandemic, we’re seeing families continue to struggle, with rent assistance, utility assistance and food often being the top needs,” said Melanie Patz, president and CEO of United Way of Northeast Florida. “While we saw some improvement in financial hardship numbers compared to last year, we know the increase in wages is not keeping pace with higher costs of living, especially in our region of Florida, which is seeing tremendous population growth.”
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In 2022, household costs in every county in Florida were well above the Federal Poverty Level of $13,590 for a single adult and $27,750 for a family of four, according to ALICE in the Crosscurrents.
In Northeast Florida, the annual ALICE Household Survival Budget for a family of four was $84,612 in 2022. Compounding these 2022 numbers was the loss of up to $15,000 in federal child tax credits and stimulus payments that families had access to in 2021. The Household Survival Budget reflects the minimum cost to live and work in the region and includes housing, childcare, food, transportation, health care, a smartphone plan and taxes. It does not include savings for emergencies or future goals like college or retirement.
“Our job at United Way is to help our community reach its full potential, and we cannot do this work alone,” said Patz. “Through our 211 helpline, we hear every day from families who, despite working hard at often multiple jobs, can’t seem to get ahead. We are working with partners to help these families achieve stability, and we are hopeful through the support of our generous donors, unwavering partnerships and forward thinking community leaders, we can build that community of opportunity we all dream of.”
United Way announced a total of $10 million investment in affordable housing last November, following its initial $1 million announcement in home preservation in January 2023.
“While we know this investment alone will not solve our housing crisis, the $10 million commitment will make significant differences in home repairs, heirs’ rights issues, infill development and nonprofit capacity-building. So far, 40 homes have been repaired in North Riverside and the Historic Eastside. In Duval County, 50 heirs’ rights issues have been resolved,” United Way said in a news release.
United Way said it continues to develop and invest in programs and initiatives that improve economic mobility across Northeast Florida in the areas of basic needs and financial well-being. As part of this work, United Way recently launched a Racial Equity Microgrant initiative to address disparities through innovative partnerships with community groups, nonprofits and grassroots entities focused on youth development. Grant winners will be announced soon.