LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Metro United Way is using new cost-of-living data to better target assistance across its seven-county Louisville region as nearly 2 in 5 families struggle to afford basic necessities, according to the organization.
The organization is using ALICE data alongside the federal poverty level to get a clearer picture of where resources and support are needed most. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Metro United Way said the data captures households that are working or retired but still cannot meet what it calls a survival budget.
“These households are really families that you don’t see their struggles every day because they are showing up,” said Liz McQuillen, chief policy officer for Metro United Way. “They are really the backbone of our community. They’re childcare workers, baristas, servers, warehouse workers. And so, we interact with them a lot, and we don’t see their struggles until they’re already in crisis.”…