United Way: 35% of metro's working households are struggling
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More than a third of Central Iowa households do not earn enough from their jobs to cover a bare-bones budget, an annual report released by United Way of Central Iowa on Tuesday shows.
Why it matters: The findings reflect increasing concerns throughout the metro area, where food pantries have broken demand records and 10% of residents continue to experience food insecurity.
Catch up quick: United Way of Central Iowa focuses on improving the lives of economically disadvantaged people in Polk, Dallas and Warren counties.
- It has distributed more than $19 million annually to local charities, according to its two most recent years of tax returns.
State of play: The group tracks health, education and economic data to highlight the most pressing challenges facing the community and outline its focus for the upcoming year.
Zoom in: This year's report finds that 35% of people and families in the region are classified as "ALICE," or "asset-limited, income constrained, employed" — an increase of nearly 10,000 households since 2021.
- Of the 20 most common jobs in Iowa, 40% offer wages below $20 per hour, which makes it challenging for workers to cover their essential needs.
- More than 43% of renters are considered cost-burdened, meaning they pay over 30% of income on housing.
What they're saying: Cuts to state or federal programs, as well as increased demand and donor pullback, are compounding pressures for low-income families, United Way of Central Iowa president Mary Sellers told the Register earlier this month.
What's next: The group encourages people to advocate, donate and volunteer for various community causes.