More than 257,400 households in Central Indiana are in, or one emergency away from, poverty.
Including 29% of households with children and 48% of households age 65 and older
Experiencing poverty is not just about a lack of income.
Living below the federal poverty level represents daily stress, physical and emotional pain, illness, shame, trauma and lack of equal opportunity. And it’s likely to repeat from one generation to the next.
The federal poverty level is $27,750 for a family of four. In stark contrast, the average cost of living for a family of four in a modern economy in Indiana is $81,468.
ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households earn an income just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what’s needed to survive in the modern economy. These families live paycheck to paycheck, struggle meeting their basic needs, and must make difficult choices such as deciding between quality child care, filling a prescription or paying the rent.
