MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Nearly 42% of Reno County residents are living either in poverty or in households classified as “ALICE,” according to data cited by the United Way of Reno County — a figure local leaders say underscores the financial strain facing working families across the community.
ALICE stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed.” The term describes individuals and families who earn too much to qualify for public assistance but not enough to cover basic household expenses.
“These are people who are working really hard but still struggling to meet the basic needs of their household,” said Lacey Mills, Executive Director of the United Way of Reno County. “It’s the single mom down the street working two jobs. It’s the person sitting in the cubicle next to you. They’re employed, but they’re one crisis away from financial hardship.”
According to United Way data, a single adult in Reno County in 2022 needed to earn at least $12.23 per hour to meet a bare bones “survival budget,” which assumes rent of $361 per month. Mills noted that rental rates in the community are typically much higher, often exceeding $750 per month.
To reach what United Way defines as a “stability budget” — covering realistic housing, transportation, health care and other essential expenses — a single adult would need to earn approximately $23.32 per hour.
Updated 2023 figures indicate a single adult must earn at least $13.61 per hour, or about $28,300 annually, to meet basic costs in Reno County.
JK Vann, who leads the Reno Connections program through United Way, said many ALICE households face difficult financial tradeoffs.
“You make too much to qualify for assistance, but you don’t make enough to function independently,” Vann said. “You’re choosing between paying the electric bill or buying groceries. And if there’s a sick child or a car repair, the family immediately goes into financial crisis.”
Vann emphasized that ALICE households are not defined by poor financial decisions but often by broader economic conditions.
“Sometimes it’s the hand that people were dealt. It’s the ecosystem — wages, cost of living, available jobs,” he said. “There’s no cookie-cutter approach to changing this.”
United Way has invested in localized ALICE data, allowing leaders to analyze financial conditions in Reno County by ZIP code. Mills said the data serves as a tool for business owners, nonprofits and local governments to inform decision-making.
She cited one example in which a United Way partner expanded its childcare scholarship eligibility beyond the federal poverty line after reviewing ALICE data, allowing more working families to receive assistance.
“That’s the work we’re doing every day — helping organizations use this data to support families who are struggling but don’t qualify for traditional assistance,” Mills said.
Through Reno Connections, United Way offers case management and goal-setting support for individuals and families seeking financial stability. The program helps connect residents to community resources and provides ongoing support for at least six months.
“We facilitate the warm handoff,” Vann said. “But we don’t just pass you along. We stand beside you to make sure you’re meeting your goals.”
Reno Connections does not impose income barriers and focuses on preserving client dignity, Vann said.
Local leaders, including city and county officials, have increasingly referenced ALICE households in public discussions about economic development, Mills said. She noted that conversations about growth and expansion must consider working families at risk of being left behind.
“It takes more than a day to turn a ship,” Vann added. “Progress is happening, even if it’s not always visible.”
Residents seeking assistance through Reno Connections or for more information about ALICE data can contact the United Way of Reno County at 620-669-9329.