ALICE

ALICE is an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. What does that really mean and why is ALICE so important? The ALICE Initiative was established by Aloha United Way more than five years ago. The Initiative provides a framework to address a significant portion of the population that would otherwise remain underserved and unnoticed. ALICE Households are working and earning, but are unable to cover all basic household expenses. ALICE Households are not homeless, but they lack any significant means of saving and in a time of crisis are the most vulnerable to slipping into poverty and homelessness. According to the 2022 ALICE Report, this is exactly what happened in the wake of the pandemic. Between 2019 and 2022, the percentage of households living in poverty increased from 9% to 15%. 

The AUW ALICE Initiative is driving new partnerships and collaborations. This, and focused investment is the key to long-term success. While AUW started the Initiative, support has grown and momentum has increased. In 2021, the Hawaiʻi Community Foundation announced that they would partner with AUW on the ALICE Initiative. Together, with 17 nonprofit partner organizations, the work is moving forward stronger than ever. 

In 2023 and 2024, the 17 nonprofit partner agencies known as the ALICE Cohort will continue to work together and create greater financial stability for ALICE Households. Hawaiʻi’s housing shortage is another front for the Cohort and the Initiative aims at increasing access to safe and affordable housing by pursuing both traditional and nontraditional paths. From legislative action to public/private partnerships and program development, the ALICE Initiative is driving positive change. The ALICE Initiative’s research and work has provided the foundation for change in our community and Hawaiʻi has been recognized as a leader on the national stage for ALICE Initiative work. This would not be possible without investment from workplaces and donors and can’t continue without further investment. 

Collectively, the ALICE Initiative has already touched more than 10,000 local families. Programs provided by the ALICE Cohort have prevented homelessness and led individuals on a path to graduation with increased earning potential. The families helped through the Initiative have doubled and tripled household income and increased savings. Some individuals have become homeowners for the first time while others finally obtained the funding to start a new business thanks to the programs provided. 

The work is not complete. 44% of all households in Hawaiʻi are at the ALICE Threshold or below. To have an impact, we need your help to continue delivering targeted programs and identifying those who would benefit from program utilization. Please #impactyourcommunity and invest in the AUW ALICE Fund.