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Nearly half the households in Florida are struggling to make financial ends meet, according to a closely watched report by the United Way. The nonprofit charity fundraiser organization produces the annual ALICE report — which stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” — to track the number of households that fall above the federal poverty level but make less than what it takes to live comfortably in a local community’s economy. The 2024 report shows that 46% of Florida households — more than 4 million households — are straining to pay for necessities like food, rent and transportation. That number includes the 1.1 million households in poverty and 2.9 million households that meet the ALICE criteria. Miami-Dade County households fared worse, with 53% facing financial hardship, followed by Broward County (48%) and Palm Beach County (47%). The Florida Keys fared slightly better at 43%. The report pulls data from more than 20 state and federal bodies of research including the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the American Community Survey from the Census Bureau, and the Bureau of Labor Statistics. “The ALICE report is a way to talk about things that are hidden in plain sight in the community,” said Leah Stockton, the Keys area president for United Way of Collier and the Keys. The findings from this year’s update are consistent with a more than decade-long trend. From 2010 to 2022, households in poverty in Florida grew by 8% and ALICE households grew by 27%. While wages for low-paying jobs have grown in Florida, so too have costs. “The largest increases were food and transportation,” Stockton said. “The price of cars has gone up, interest rates have gone up, insurance costs have gone up, etc.” The other big change, Stockton said, was that families have fewer tax credits. “If you remember, during COVID, anyone that had young children, there were tax credits that you were getting due to having dependents,” she said. “Those have largely gone away now.” Tap the link below to continue reading. Story by Julia Cooper. 📸 Lynne Sladky / AP

United Way of Pierce County opens applications for Tacoma guaranteed income project How much would an extra $500 a month help with your bills? Starting next month, 175 households in Tacoma will be getting that help. United Way of Pierce County opened applications on Friday, March 1, for a program called Growing Resilience in Tacoma (GRIT) 2.0. The project gives families a monthly cash gift of $500 until next June. GRIT 2.0 is a $1.9 million dollar investment from the state, and is a collaboration between United Way, the City of Tacoma, Pierce County, and the State Department of Social and Health Services. Dona Ponepinto, president and CEO of United Way of Pierce County, said the project expands on Tacoma’s GRIT program, which served 110 families in 2021, and builds on the lessons learned. “Families want opportunities,” Ponepinto said. “Cash assistance, a cash gift to families, that helps them get over the hump, and is actually improving lives.” Ponepinto said Tacoma is one of dozens of cities in the country where similar guaranteed income projects are playing out. According to Ponepinto, research shows the money given out in these projects is fed right back into the local economy — and it also gives people a chance to invest in themselves, and leave the program in a better situation. “They’re working and getting better paying jobs, they’re going back to school, either getting degrees, or certifications, or training certificates,” she said. “There are so many things to show that having this type of program actually helps us all.” The project focuses on households that fall into what’s called the asset-limited, income-constrained while employed (ALICE) category. These households earn just enough to pass the federal poverty level, but still struggle to cover basic expenses. Around a third of Pierce County’s households fall into this ALICE threshold, and some communities feel that burden harder. “You’ve got about 48 percent of the Black households in Pierce County are ALICE families,” she said. “38 percent are Hispanic/LatinX, and then Native American populations in Pierce County, the households are just under 50 percent.” This comes as many residents in Tacoma say they’ve watched costs skyrocket, making basic necessities harder to afford. Ponepinto said she hopes the research from the project will help persuade lawmakers to take a closer look at the systems that’re supposed to address poverty. “Poverty is not a personal failure. Poverty is a systems failure,” she said. The project specifically targets those who live within certain zip codes within the city of Tacoma: 98404 98405 98408 98409 98418 98444 98445 Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 65 in a single head of household family with children who are 17 or younger, or 21 and younger if they are disabled.

New for Business Insider: Across the US, guaranteed basic-income pilots are giving hundreds of dollars a month unconditionally to help thousands of low-income families secure housing and pay off debts. The money for those programs might not come from where you expect. Each pilot has different funding streams, but the money often comes from foundations and federal relief funding — not just local taxpayer dollars, according to the Economic Security Project, an organization that advocates for guaranteed income and cash tax credit programs. Income inequality is high, many areas are experiencing an affordable housing crisis, and Census data shows that about 40 million Americans live below the poverty line. Cities like San Antonio, Austin, Denver, Boston, and Minneapolis have turned to basic-income pilot programs to explore ways to reduce those poverty levels. GBI offers participants no-strings cash payments for one to three years.

Houston — "Residents of Texas' Harris County could find themselves hundreds of dollars better off each month as part of a program to address income inequality in the area. The Uplift Harris County Cash Assistance Pilot program will provide a selection of county households with $500 per month for 18 months. The effort is part of a guaranteed-income pilot program funded by 2021's federal American Rescue Plan Act to "address economic inequity and reduce poverty." It is being enacted in response to the recent coronavirus pandemic, which the program says "magnified many long-standing health and economic inequities in the community." Guaranteed-income pilot programs have been tested across numerous U.S. states in recent years. Payments per month vary, with some participants receiving as much as $1,000 per month in Los Angeles and Baltimore and others getting more modest amounts elsewhere. "Despite the area's vast prosperity, Harris County has among the highest rates of economic inequity in the country, with 16.4 percent of residents living in poverty," the county's website says. "Among other issues, the COVID-19 pandemic and economic inflation have magnified these inequities." The money is not a loan, with no requirement to pay any part of the sum back. Similar programs across the country have shown that direct cash assistance programs deliver wide-ranging social and financial benefits for participating families and the broader community. Becoming part of the program has certain requirements, including income and geographical eligibility. There are two cohorts that candidates can apply for: one based on geographic location and the other through membership in the state's Accessing Coordinated Care and Empowering Self-Sufficiency program. Eligible applicants must be 18 and over and will be randomly selected for both cohorts. The program is similar to the concept of universal basic income, which has been tried in various countries and is given to individuals and families regardless of their income. This means some wealthy people also benefit from no-strings-attached payments." https://lnkd.in/gTHB-jNx

https://lnkd.in/eKT2SetT People are hurting. If you are homeless or on the brink consider the following. It can be challenging to afford housing even with a job, especially if you're dealing with inflation. Here are some resources that can help: * Government Assistance: Explore options like rental assistance programs, food stamps (SNAP), and Medicaid. Contact your local government or social service agencies for information. * Nonprofit Organizations: Many nonprofits offer assistance with housing, utilities, and other essential needs. Search online or contact your local United Way for referrals. * Financial Counseling: Seek advice from a financial counselor to create a budget, manage debt, and explore potential savings. Many credit unions and community colleges offer free financial counseling services. Additionally, consider these steps: * Increase Income: Look for opportunities to earn extra money through side hustles or part-time work. * Reduce Expenses: Find ways to cut back on spending, such as cooking at home more often, reducing utility usage, and finding free or low-cost entertainment options. * Build Savings: Even small amounts saved regularly can help you reach your housing goals. * Seek Support: Talk to friends, family, or support groups about your situation. They may be able to offer emotional support or practical assistance. Remember, you're not alone in facing this challenge. Many people struggle with housing affordability, and there are resources available to help. Gary M Albert CPA MST AFC® CFSWC Trauma of Money Certified Practitioner https://lnkd.in/erhQDaNa [email protected]

Many #domesticviolence survivors face financial abuse along with physical and mental abuse. This financial abuse can take the form of restricted access to resources, employment interference, credit damage, and coerced debt. Limited financial resources hinder a survivor's ability to leave their abuser and ensure their safety. In 2021, 42% of survivors in Illinois reported living on $500 or less per month. Recognizing the urgent need for unrestricted financial support, our grantee partner, The Network: Advocating Against Domestic Violence, is exploring a program that would help survivors meet essential needs such as food, #housing, and transportation. This initiative is crucial for demonstrating how housing, wrap-around supportive services, and cash assistance are a bridge to both safety and economic security. Stay in touch for updates on the proposed program: https://the-network.org/

Did you know? Despite having lower incomes than white households on average, Black and Latinx households pay more in interest and fees—both by percentage of income and in absolute terms. For many households of color, the inability to tap into emergency savings—for themselves or others—leaves them exposed and reliant on predatory lenders charging exploitive interest rates up to 600%. That is a vicious cycle where poverty is not just penalized with higher fees but also greater exposure to eviction and homelessness when people fall on hard times. Building on the momentum of "Boats for a Rising Tide: How Philanthropy Can Help Narrow the Racial Wealth Gap," we've released an editorial with Candid exploring the crucial but underexplored area of avoiding unnecessary debt, fines, and fees. In this piece, we highlight how Stable Home Fund and Esusu provide dignity and grace to people in need by pairing rental relief with alternative credit building. More than a leg up, they demonstrate that we can break the cycle of poverty by shifting our lens to wealth as the true signal of economic security and opportunity. What do you think about this approach? Let's continue this important conversation. #RacialEquity #Philanthropy #EconomicJustice #FinancialInclusion Année Kim, Zachary Slobig, The Bridgespan Group

Updated 12/17: Let’s take heart in the actions we took as a nation during the pandemic to ensure people had enough- healthy school meals for all children, more adequate benefits in SNAP, more fruits and vegetables through WIC, child tax credits for families, more vouchers and housing supports, increased access to health insurance and Medicaid, forgiveness of student loans. We can do more of those actions to prevent- “Homelessness shot up by more than 12% this year, reaching 653,104 people. The numbers represent the sharpest increase and largest unhoused population since the federal government began tallying totals in 2007.” Basic needs of shelter and food are not being met for at least one in ten people in the US. It is nearly impossible to thrive without a roof over your head or enough resources to purchase food for your family.

HOUSING CRISIS ALERT! Did you know that victim survivors of domestic, family and sexual violence, as well as post-separation legal abuse, are disproportionately impacted by homelessness? Shockingly, many victim survivors have been homeowners in the past. The patriarchal, structural discrimination of single mothers in our banking institutions further victimize single mothers and their children. These arbitrary rules to ensure women’s financial dependencies and oppression of single mothers is by design. Recovery is nigh on impossible without housing stability. Housing insecurity and poverty is another trauma on top of multiple traumas. Being court ordered to live in poverty and instability is child abuse! Police do not investigate or charge perpetrators with financial abuse. Financial abuse is not a crime. Rent money is dead money. Stop the commodification of single mothers and our children. Stop forcing single mums to pay off other people’s mortgages. Surely this is orchestrated modern day slavery! There are no first home buyer grants for single mums who’ve had their homes stripped through revenge debt, domestic violence and family court abuse. One potential tax incentive to encourage landlords to sell their investment property to their tenants could be a capital gains tax exemption. The government would save billions by securing these properties on a rent-to-buy basis for single mothers and their children. Imagine return on investment in safety, reaching potential and productivity due to not living in survival mode. Home ownership is a fundamental human right. This means that if the landlord sells the property to their tenant under a rent-to-buy agreement, they would be exempt from paying capital gains tax on the sale. This incentive would help to reduce the financial burden on the landlord and make it more attractive for them to sell the property to their tenant. Additionally, it would provide an incentive for landlords to consider this option as a way to support their tenants in becoming homeowners. We need a government with a conscience to undo past discrimination and misogyny. The best solution would be to assist women to keep their own homes. Stop perpetrators forcing us into homelessness in the first place. Stop it at the start! #CapitalGainsTaxExemption #HousingCrisis #DomesticViolenceSurvivors #SingleMothers #SafeHousing

Millions Of UK Households Forced To Unplug Fridge To Cope With Rising Bills ____   About 2m UK households have been forced to turn off their fridge or freezer to save money as they continue to struggle with what poverty campaigners called a “frightening” level of hardship. Nearly half of those households said that since May they had to disconnect their fridge or freezer for the first time, a sign the cost of living crisis was still hurting low-income families, according to the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) charity. Millions of families were still resorting to “desperate measures” to cope with rising bills and prices, it said, with four out of five households on universal credit also going without food, turning off the heating, and not replacing worn-out clothing. The JRF’s latest cost of living crisis tracker survey found that in October a quarter (2.8m) of UK low-income households ran up debt to pay for food, a third sold belongings to raise cash, and one in six had used community “warm rooms”. ... #makesensepromotions #makesensepm