1. Making Tough Choices: How Working Families Struggle to Get Ahead
May 21, 2019

2. ALICE Asset-Limited Income-Constrained Employed
ALICE are above the Federal Poverty Level but can’t meet basic need budget…every week, every month, every year—bare bones budget
ALICE is working and struggling

3. Iowa’s ALICE Threshold
Started in New Jersey and is now in 18 states

4. Davis County Households by Income, 2010 to 2016
ALICE is growing. Third report and has grown from 19 to 29 (combined to 46%)
4.1% unemployment (state is 3.9%)
Iowa average poverty rate is 12%
Source: American Community Survey, , and the ALICE Threshold,

5. Jefferson County Households by Income, 2010 to 2016
ALICE is growing. Third report and has grown from 17 to 31 (combined to 45%)
6.6% unemployment (state is 3.9%)
Iowa average poverty rate is 12%
Source: American Community Survey, , and the ALICE Threshold,

6. Keokuk County Households by Income, 2010 to 2016
ALICE is growing. Third report and has grown from 20 to 28 (combined to 41%)
5.5% unemployment (state is 3.9%)
Iowa average poverty rate is 12%
Source: American Community Survey, , and the ALICE Threshold,

7. Mahaska County Households by Income, 2010 to 2016
ALICE is growing. Third report and has grown from 16 to 26 (combined to 40%)
6.3% unemployment (state is 3.9%)
Iowa average poverty rate is 12%
Source: American Community Survey, , and the ALICE Threshold,

8. Who is ALICE in your County?

9. Fast Demographic Facts--Davis
3,230 Total Households
1,486 households below the ALICE Threshold
549 below FPL (17%)
Remainder in the ALICE population
Over 50% of Davis County households with children are below the ALICE Threshold
48% of Davis County Senior Households (over 65) are below the ALICE Threshold

10. Fast Demographic Facts--Jefferson
6,896 Total Households
3,103 households below the ALICE Threshold
965 below FPL (14%)
Remainder in the ALICE population
Over 38% of Jefferson County households with children are below the ALICE Threshold
44% of Jefferson County Senior Households (over 65) are below the ALICE Threshold

11. Fast Demographic Facts--Keokuk
4,414 Total Households
1,810 households below the ALICE Threshold
574 below FPL (13%)
Remainder in the ALICE population
Over 25% of Maska County households with children are below the ALICE Threshold
51% of Mahaska County Senior Households (over 65) are below the ALICE Threshold

12. Fast Demographic Facts--Mahaska
8,983 Total Households
3,593 households below the ALICE Threshold
1,257 below FPL (14%)
Remainder in the ALICE population
Over 35% of Maska County households with children are below the ALICE Threshold
40% of Mahaska County Senior Households (over 65) are below the ALICE Threshold

14. What Does it Cost to Live in Your County?

15. ALICE Budget Methodology
HOUSING – HUD Fair Mkt. Rent + Utilities CHILDCARE – Registered, In-Home Care FOOD – USDA Thrifty Plan TRANSPORTATION – BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey – average annual expenditure for vehicle HEALTH CARE – Out-of-pocket Expenses + ACA Penalty TECHNOLOGY – Consumer Reports Lowest-Cost Smartphone Plan TAXES – Federal & State Income Taxes + SS & Medicare
Thrifty budget:
All meals at home and 1.5 hours a day cooking (1 lb of beans a week)
Just Budget Better?

16. ALICE Survival Budget FPL = IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
$11,880 single adult and $24,300 family
IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
Thrifty budget:
All meals at home and 1.5 hours a day cooking (1 lb of beans a week)
Just Budget Better?
Source: US Dept of Housing & Urban Development, 2016; US Dept of Agriculture, 2016; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016; Internal Revenue Service; Tax Foundation; and Iowa Child Care Resources & Referral

17. ALICE Survival Budget FPL = IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
$11,880 single adult and $24,300 family
IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
Thrifty budget:
All meals at home and 1.5 hours a day cooking (1 lb of beans a week)
Just Budget Better?
Source: US Dept of Housing & Urban Development, 2016; US Dept of Agriculture, 2016; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016; Internal Revenue Service; Tax Foundation; and Iowa Child Care Resources & Referral

18. ALICE Survival Budget FPL = IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
$11,880 single adult and $24,300 family
IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
Thrifty budget:
All meals at home and 1.5 hours a day cooking (1 lb of beans a week)
Just Budget Better?
Source: US Dept of Housing & Urban Development, 2016; US Dept of Agriculture, 2016; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016; Internal Revenue Service; Tax Foundation; and Iowa Child Care Resources & Referral

19. ALICE Survival Budget FPL = IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
$11,880 single adult and $24,300 family
IA minimum wage: $7.25/hour = $18,500/year
Thrifty budget:
All meals at home and 1.5 hours a day cooking (1 lb of beans a week)
Just Budget Better?
Source: US Dept of Housing & Urban Development, 2016; US Dept of Agriculture, 2016; Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2016; Internal Revenue Service; Tax Foundation; and Iowa Child Care Resources & Referral

20. Source: American Community Survey, 2007-16, and the ALICE Threshold, 2007-2016

21. Housing Cost Burden
CHAS" data (Comprehensive Housing Affordability Strategy) (ACS & Census data)
Source: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, CHAS data,

22. ALICE’s Job(s)

23. Workforce Trends
Contingent Workforce Unpredictable Schedules No Benefits
Contingent Workforce: Just in time workforce
Unpredictable—scheduled for 30 but gets 20

24. Median Earnings of Workers age 25 and Above
US: $29.15/hr
IA: $27.04/hr
Keokuk: $21.74/hr
Jefferson: $21.75/hr
Davis: $23.89/hr
Mahaska: $23.84/hr
Source: American Community Survey, , and the ALICE Threshold,

25. 66% of all Iowa jobs pay less than $20/hour
66% of all Iowa jobs pay less than $20/hour. Over ½ of those pay less than $15/hour.

26. ALICE’s Assets

27. Vehicle doesn’t help with emergencies (not liquid)

28. Almost 50% of Iowa households do not have enough money set aside to cover 3 months of expenses.

30. Making Tough Choices Simulation

31. Questions?