COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A newly released report reveals that four-in-ten Michiganders cannot afford their basic daily needs.
The latest ALICE report, published by United Way and United for ALICE, finds that 40 percent of state residents fall at or below the ALICE threshold.
This data indicates that a massive portion of the state’s population struggles to cover essentials like housing, childcare, food, transportation, and health care. Because their income lags behind the actual cost of living, these families are frequently forced to make agonizing financial choices, such as skipping meals or delaying medical care, just to stay afloat.
ALICE stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, and Employed, representing individuals who work but still do not earn enough to survive.
Unlike the federal poverty level, this metric provides a more realistic view of financial hardship by factoring in specific household types and local living costs. According to the data, the crisis does not impact everyone equally, as adults between the ages of 25 and 64 face the most severe financial challenges.
This finding highlights a systemic issue where working-age residents are increasingly unable to build savings or achieve financial stability despite being active members of the workforce.
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