Monday, Nov. 25, 2024
For Katie, life as a single mother in Vancouver, Washington, has been a delicate balancing act. Despite working hard to support her three children, she found herself caught in the gap where too many families reside—earning too much to qualify for assistance but not enough to make ends meet. It’s a situation that United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) report describes all too well.
In the four counties United Way serves—Clackamas, Clark, Multnomah, and Washington—32% of households are ALICE households, struggling to afford life’s essentials despite being employed. Combined with families living below the Federal Poverty Line, a staggering 42% of households are at or below the ALICE threshold. Katie’s story is a window into the reality behind these statistics.
“I was robbing Peter to pay Paul,” Katie shared, reflecting on her financial struggles. After a divorce and job loss, her situation worsened when a modest raise made her ineligible for food stamps, stripping her of $900 in monthly assistance. “It was overwhelming. Just when I thought I was getting ahead, I got pushed further back.”
“If I hadn’t called United Way, I wouldn’t have a home right now. I’ll never forget what they did for me. They gave me the chance to start fresh.”
Katie, recipient of United Way's rental assistance
As the threat of eviction loomed, Katie discovered United Way of the Columbia-Willamette’s Eviction Legal Defense Fund. It was a moment of hope in a period of despair. “I wasn’t sure if they could help, but I had to try. When they called to say they could, I cried. The heaviness I’d been carrying for so long just lifted.”
The support Katie received went beyond avoiding eviction. United Way provided a chance to stabilize her life and regain her footing. “They didn’t just help me with rent—they helped me feel seen. It was like someone finally understood what I was going through.”
Katie’s experience highlights the challenges faced by ALICE households. These are individuals and families who work hard but still face financial instability, often losing out on critical benefits due to narrow eligibility thresholds. For Katie, the loss of food stamps was devastating. “It’s baffling to me that you can make just a little too much to qualify for help, but still not enough to survive,” she said.
United Way’s work through the ALICE report and programs like the Eviction Legal Defense Fund aims to close this gap, advocating for long-term solutions to help families not just survive but thrive.
Today, Katie is passionate about sharing her story. “If I hadn’t called United Way, I wouldn’t have a home right now,” she said. “I’ll never forget what they did for me. They gave me the chance to start fresh.”
Katie’s resilience, paired with United Way’s support, underscores the importance of community-driven solutions for families at the ALICE threshold. Together, they’re creating brighter futures, one household at a time.