Roughly one-third of northeast Indiana residents are struggling to afford the basic needs of life, says a report released this week.
The Indiana Association of United Ways issued the report, titled “ALICE.” The acronym stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — in other words, the working poor.
The report says ALICE households are living in a between world — with incomes above the official poverty line but below the basic cost of living.
“These families are defined with low income, little or no savings and steady jobs,” the report adds.
“We see it as working hard and falling short. It’s our next-door neighbors,” said Dawn Modlin, executive director of the United Way of Noble County.
In northeast Indiana’s four counties, between 9-13 percent of people are living below poverty level. Another 19-24 percent fall into the report’s definition of ALICE level.
No local county exceeds the state average of 37 percent of households at ALICE level or below. LaGrange County matches the average at 37 percent.
In other counties, percentages of households below the ALICE income threshold are: Whitley 26, Steuben 28, Noble 30, DeKalb 34 and Allen 35.
The report says the state average of 37 percent of people struggling to support themselves is “more than double the number previously thought.”
Modlin said she believes the ALICE report paints an accurate picture of Noble County.
The report uses statistics from 2012, when Indiana unemployment stood at a higher rate than today.
Despite the increase in employment, ”at our food pantries, the numbers are increasing, not going down,” Modlin said.
The study defines a “household survival budget” for a Hoosier family of four at $46,495 — slightly more than double the poverty line. It says that amount of money is needed to pay for basic necessities. In northeast Indiana, the survival budgets are lower, ranging from $43,143 in Noble County to $45,355 in LaGrange County.
The report rates counties on housing affordability, job opportunities and community support.
For housing affordability, Steuben county rates as good, with fair ratings for Allen, DeKalb, LaGrange and Noble counties. Whitley County received a poor rating.
LaGrange, Noble and Whitley counties received good ratings for job opportunities. The fair category includes Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties.
Only Whitley County received a good rating for community support. Fair ratings went to Allen, DeKalb and Steuben counties. LaGrange and Noble counties rated poor. The report noted that LaGrange County ranks last in health insurance coverage at 72 percent. Health insurance counts as one factor in community support.
The report breaks down poverty and ALICE statistics to the township level.