a study of financial hardship in central maryland · a study of financial hardship in central...

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A Study of Financial Hardshipin Central Maryland

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, BALTIMORE CITY, BALTIMORE COUNTY, CARROLL COUNTY,

HARFORD COUNTY AND HOWARD COUNTY

How many households are struggling?ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, are households that earn more than the Federal Poverty Level, but less than the basic cost of living for the state (the ALICE Threshold, or AT). Combined, the number of poverty and ALICE households—36 percent—equals the total central Maryland population struggling to afford basic needs.

The ALICE® report, commissioned by United Way organizations throughout the state, reveals that more than a third of central Maryland households can’t afford the high cost of living and don’t earn enough to afford basic necessities. ALICE families and individuals live paycheck to paycheck, most often with nothing left over to deal with an unexpected event such as an illness, car repair or job loss.

Central Maryland population: 2,737,070

Counties: Anne Arundel County, Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Carroll County, Harford County and Howard County

Number of households: 1,015,156

Median household income (Maryland state average): $73,971 (national average: $53,657)

Unemployment rate (central Maryland average): 7.0% (national average: 7.2%; state average: 7.2%)

CENTRAL MARYLAND: AT-A-GLANCE

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Percent of households below the ALICE threshold

Howard22%

Harford34%

Carroll28%

Baltimore City45%

Baltimore40%

Anne Arundel28%

19% 59%

Percent of HH below ALICE Threshold

Source: American Community Survey, 2014, and the ALICE Threshold, 2014

UNITED WAY ALICE REPORT – CENTRAL M

ARYLAND

What does it cost to afford the basic necessities?In Maryland, where the cost of living fluctuates across the state, it is especially importantto have a current and realistic standard that reflects the true cost of economic survival andcompares it to household incomes in each county. The ALICE Threshold is a realisticstandard developed from the Household Survival Budget a measure that estimatesthe minimal cost of the five basic household necessities: housing, child care, food,transportation, and health care. Based on calculations from the American CommunitySurvey and the ALICE Threshold, 743,738 households in Maryland–35 percent–areeither in poverty or qualify as ALICE.

The bare-minimum Survival Budget does not allow for any extras or savings, leaving a household vulnerable to unexpected expenses. Affording only a very modest living in each community, this budget is still significantly more than the Federal Poverty Level of $11,670 for a single adult and $23,850 for a family of four.

MONTHLY COSTS - MARYLAND AVERAGE

SINGLE ADULT2 ADULTS, 1 INFANT,

1 PRESCHOOLER

Housing $807 $1,123

Child Care $- $1,214

Food $202 $612

Transportation $364 $722

Health Care $138 $552

Miscellaneous $179 $464

Taxes $274 $415

Monthly Total $1,964 $5,102

ANNUAL TOTAL $23,568 $61,224

Hourly Wage $11.78 $30.61

(Note that this is statewide Maryland average, not central Maryland average.)

ALICE individuals and their families teeter on that critical dividing line between the haves and have nots. All it takes is one crisis—a health emergency, a car breaking down, an increase in monthly rent—and they will very likely fail. With the right focus, the right policy changes and the right investments, we can help put these hardworking ALICE citizens on the path to financial stability and self-sufficiency.

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This is ALICEImagine having to make tough financial choices every day. Choices like, do I buy medicine or groceries with the money I have left? Do I fix my car so I can get to work, or pay my rent to keep from losing my home? Do I place my child in a quality daycare program, or do I look for a less expensive alternative that might not be the best care?

Heather is a working mom with three children who’s finding it harder and harder to make ends meet for her family. She earns $16.50 an hour as a front desk manager in a Baltimore County dental practice. A new baby boy means that her family’s already tight budget must stretch even further. Daycare for her son and daughter is more than $1,500 month, and the rent on their 700-square-foot apartment was just raised.

Heather recently returned to work after six weeks of unpaid maternity leave. “I started saving up when I learned I was pregnant so I could take some time off after the baby came, but the money ran out—and I can’t afford not to work. And lately it seems like groceries and other things have just gotten more expensive.”

Heather left her previous job when a raise was not forthcoming. “I worked there for five years and was never late; never took a sick day.” Like her old job, her new job doesn’t offer any benefits other than free cleanings and minor dental work for her and her family. It does pay fifty cents more an hour and helps with the household income, but, she says, “We make too much to get help, but not enough to survive.” She and her boyfriend drive for Uber when not working their full-time jobs to help bring in some much-needed extra money.

“I’m not the kind of person who doesn’t pay my bills—I stay on top of them. But it’s not hard to get behind with the daycare and healthcare bills.”

United Way commissioned the ALICE report to fully understand and best respond to the needs of ALICEs like Heather. The findings will be used to strengthen existing programs and to create new, sustainable initiatives that will, in collaboration with United Way partner agencies and others, improve the lives of ALICE individuals and families in Maryland.

United Way of Central Maryland has long addressed the needs of the ALICE population. Currently, 12 United Way Family Stability sites, strategically located in neighborhoods with high rates of evictions, offer families wraparound services to help them get back on their feet. In addition, United Way’s 2-1-1 Helpline connects more than 104,000 callers a year—many of them ALICE—with critical health and human services resources.


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Consequences of households living below the ALICE threshold in Maryland

Impact on ALICE Impact on Community

HOUSINGLive in substandard housing

Inconvenience; health and safety risks; increased maintenance costs

Worker stressed, late, and/or absent from job – less productive

Move farther away from job

Longer commute; costs increase; severe weather can affect commuter safety; less time for other activities

More traffic on road; workers late to job; absenteeism due to severe weather can affect community access to local businesses and amenities

Homeless Disruption to job, family, school, etc. Costs for homeless shelters, foster care system, health care

CHILD CARE AND EDUCATION

Substandard child care

Safety and learning risks; health risks; children less likely to be school-ready, read at grade level, graduate from high school; limited future employment opportunity

Future need for education and social services; less productive worker

No child care One parent cannot work; forgoing immediate income and future promotions Future need for education and social services

Substandard public education

Learning risks; limited earning potential/ mobility; limited career opportunity

Stressed parents; lower-skilled workforce; future need for social services

FOOD

Less healthy Poor health; obesity Less productive worker/student; increased future demand for health care

Not enough Poor daily functioning Even less productive; increased future need for social services and health care

TRANSPORTATION

Old car Unreliable transportation; risk of accidents; increased maintenance costs

Worker stressed, late, and/or absent from job – less productive

No insurance/registration

Risk of fine; accident liability; risk of license being revoked

Higher insurance premiums; unsafe vehicles on the road

Long commute Costs increase; severe weather can affect commuter safety; less time for other activities

More traffic on road; workers late to job; increased demand for road maintenance and services

No car Limited employment opportunities and access to health care/child care

Reduced economic productivity; higher taxes for specialized public transportation; greater stress on emergency vehicles

HEALTH CARE

UnderinsuredDelaying or skipping preventative health care; more out-of-pocket expense; substandard or no mental health coverage

Workers report to job sick; spread illness; less productive; absenteeism; increased workplace issues due to untreated mental illness

No insurance Forgoing preventative health care; use of emergency room for non-emergency care

Higher premiums for all to fill the gap; more expensive health costs; risk of health crises

INCOME

Low wagesLonger work hours; pressure on other family members to work (drop out of school); no savings; use of high-interest payday loans

Worker stressed, late, and/or absent from job – less productive; higher taxes to fill the gap

No wages Cost of looking for work and finding social services; risk of depression Less productive society; higher taxes to fill the gap

SAVINGS

Minimal savings Mental stress; crises; risk taking; use costly alternative financial systems to bridge gaps

More workers facing crises; unstable workforce; community disruption

No savings Crises spiral quickly, leading to homelessness, hunger, illness

Costs for homeless shelters, foster care system, emergency health care

Suggested reference: United Way ALICE Report – Maryland, 2016

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Anne Arundel County

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Anne Arundel County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child

Adult, One Child Care

Two Adults, 2 Children

Two Adults, 2 Child Care

Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $417 $845 $835 $1,543

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $432 $518 $518 $518 $863 $863

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $192 $271 $305 $373 $486 $544

Tax $303 $506 $376 $721 $668 $633

Monthly Total $2,111 $2,985 $3,353 $4,099 $5,343 $5,985

Annual Total $25,332 $35,820 $40,236 $49,188 $64,116 $71,820Note: One childcare refers to an infant; two childcare refers to one infant and one 4 year old. For an additional infant add 2 percent; for an additional 4 year old add 2 percent; and for an additional child add 2 percent. Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD); U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA); Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS); Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Comptroller of Maryland, and Maryland Family Network.

Household STABILITY Budget, Anne Arundel County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $1,759 $1,759

Childcare 0 0 $461 $1,288 $921 $2,112

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $365 $729 $729 $729 $1,215 $1,215

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $201 $333 $391 $458 $622 $723

Savings $201 $333 $391 $458 $622 $723

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $615 $1,153 $1,285 $1,354 $1,976 $2,541

Monthly Total $3,087 $5,246 $6,204 $6,912 $9,567 $11,316


School of Public Affairs and Administration, Rutgers: https://spaa.newark.rutgers.edu/united-way-

ALICE UNITED WAY ALICE REPORT – http://www.unitedwayalice.org/index.php

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Household survival and stability budgets by jurisdiction


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Baltimore City

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Baltimore City

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $343 $654 $686 $1,193

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $62 $62 $62 $62 $103 $103

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $144 $210 $232 $272 $360 $389

Tax $196 $350 $180 $363 $322 $190

Monthly Total $1,586 $2,312 $2,554 $2,993 $3,962 $4,277


Household STABILITY Budget, Baltimore City

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $1,158 $1,158

Childcare 0 0 $363 $934 $725 $1,598

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $267 $580 $580 $580 $966 $966

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $191 $318 $366 $407 $518 $587

Savings $191 $318 $366 $407 $518 $587

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $574 $1,090 $1,165 $1,101 $1,597 $1,769

Monthly Total $2,928 $5,004 $5,736 $6,054 $7,934 $8,908




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Baltimore County

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Baltimore County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $370 $727 $741 $1,351

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $432 $518 $518 $518 $863 $863

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $192 $271 $298 $356 $473 $519

Tax $303 $500 $359 $671 $632 $575

Monthly Total $2,111 $2,979 $3,282 $3,914 $5,200 $5,710


Household STABILITY Budget, Baltimore County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $1,436 $1,436

Childcare 0 0 $432 $1,065 $864 $1,806

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $365 $729 $729 $729 $1,215 $1,215

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $201 $333 $388 $435 $584 $660

Savings $201 $333 $388 $435 $584 $660

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $615 $1,153 $1,271 $1,240 $1,786 $2,177

Monthly Total $3,087 $5,246 $6,090 $6,529 $8,921 $10,197




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Carroll County

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Carroll County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $375 $727 $751 $1,350

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $432 $518 $518 $518 $863 $863

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $192 $271 $299 $356 $474 $519

Tax $304 $500 $360 $671 $635 $576

Monthly Total $2,112 $2,979 $3,289 $3,914 $5,214 $5,710


Household STABILITY Budget, Carroll County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $1,724 $1,724

Childcare 0 0 $489 $1,039 $979 $1,829

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $365 $729 $729 $729 $1,215 $1,215

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $201 $333 $394 $433 $625 $691

Savings $201 $333 $394 $433 $625 $691

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $615 $1,153 $1,299 $1,258 $2,029 $2,393

Monthly Total $3,087 $5,246 $6,140 $6,517 $9,649 $10,786




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Harford County

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Harford County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $372 $731 $744 $1,371

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $432 $518 $518 $518 $863 $863

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $192 $271 $299 $356 $473 $522

Tax $304 $501 $359 $673 $633 $582

Monthly Total $2,112 $2,980 $3,285 $3,920 $5,204 $5,740


Household STABILITY Budget, Harford County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $1,529 $1,529

Childcare 0 0 $516 $1,150 $1,031 $1,966

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $365 $729 $729 $729 $1,215 $1,215

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $201 $333 $397 $444 $610 $685

Savings $201 $333 $397 $444 $610 $685

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $615 $1,153 $1,312 $1,285 $1,915 $2,328

Monthly Total $3,087 $5,246 $6,152 $6,677 $9,362 $10,651




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Howard County

Household SURVIVAL Budget, Howard County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $847 $1,001 $1,001 $1,001 $1,252 $1,252

Childcare 0 0 $452 $963 $903 $1,781

Food $202 $420 $413 $318 $701 $612

Transportation $432 $518 $518 $518 $863 $863

Healthcare $135 $269 $323 $323 $538 $538

Miscellaneous $192 $272 $310 $390 $495 $576

Tax $304 $512 $389 $775 $694 $709

Monthly Total $2,112 $2,992 $3,406 $4,288 $5,446 $6,331


Household STABILITY Budget, Howard County

Single Adult

Married Couple

Adult, One Child




Housing $1,001 $1,252 $1,252 $1,252 $2,038 $2,038

Childcare 0 0 $517 $1,383 $1,034 $2,370

Food $382 $778 $725 $565 $1,370 $1,185

Transportation $365 $729 $729 $729 $1,215 $1,215

Healthcare $258 $569 $744 $744 $959 $959

Miscellaneous $201 $333 $397 $467 $662 $777

Savings $201 $333 $397 $467 $662 $777

Cell Phone $64 $99 $82 $64 $123 $99

Tax $615 $1,153 $1,313 $1,432 $2,402 $3,071

Monthly Total $3,087 $5,246 $6,312 $7,103 $10,465 $12,491




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02/03/17 (SM)

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About United Way of Central Maryland For more than 90 years, United Way of Central Maryland has been improving lives in the communities it serves: Anne Arundel, Baltimore, Carroll, Harford and Howard Counties, and Baltimore City. In January 2017, United Ways in Maryland released the ALICE® Report, revealing that more than a third of Maryland households— nearly 750,00— either live in poverty, or qualify at or below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) threshold. United Way of Central Maryland works to stabilize ALICE residents – individuals and families who work hard but still cannot afford basic necessities because of Maryland’s high cost of living—and those that fall below the Federal Poverty Level, by focusing on the building blocks needed to become self-sufficient: education, employment, housing and health. All of United Way’s work is supported by the 2-1-1 Maryland United Way Helpline, a 24-hour, seven-day a week service that provides information and referrals on a variety of health and human service issues. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, the program has provided answers for more than 100,000 calls for help in fiscal year 2016. To learn more about the United Way of Central Maryland, visit www.uwcm.org. To find out more about the ALICE Report, visit www.uwcm.org/ALICE.

United Way of Central Maryland100 South Charles StreetFifth Floor, P.O. Box 1576Baltimore, Maryland 21203-1576Tele 410.547.8000 | Fax 410.547.8289www.uwcm.org

*Please Note: Effective Monday, February 27, 2017United Way of Central Maryland will be operating in our new headquarters located at1800 Washington Boulevard, Suite 340Baltimore, Maryland 21230

a study of financial hardship in central maryland · a study of financial hardship in central...

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