1 in 3 Kansas City-area households can’t afford basic needs, United Way data shows

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Nearly 4 in 10 Kansas City-area households are below the ALICE threshold, meaning they are not below the poverty line but still struggle to pay for basic needs, according to data from United Way of Greater Kansas City.

What the ALICE data measures

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. The data counts people who are above the poverty line but cannot afford basic costs such as rent, health care, and food.

In the most recent data, 11% of metro households were below the Federal Poverty Level, and another 24% were ALICE, meaning 35% of households could not afford the basics. United Way said 26% of households in Johnson County fall into the ALICE category.

Kera Mashek, senior director of communications for United Way of Greater Kansas City, said the federal poverty level for a family of four is $31,200. The ALICE Survival Budget, the cost of essentials needed to live and work in the current Missouri economy, is $72,228 for that same household. Mashek said the metric helps reveal a more accurate number of people who are struggling to pay their bills.

“They are just not making enough to make their dollar stretch and cover all the costs for any one given month,” Mashek said. “They’re not getting any type of assistance but yet still really having a difficult time.”

Residents describe rising costs

Tony Matthews, who recently retired, said he feels the strain of rising costs.

“It’s a little rough,” Matthews said. “Medical, now that’s really hurting me.”

Sophia Carey, a UMKC student, said living on her own is difficult.

“This is only my second year living on my own. It’s a lot to figure out for the first time,” Carey said.

Carey said she relies on family for support.

“I’m fortunate to have that, not everybody has that,” she said.

Matthews said he believes more unity can shift the narrative.

“I just wish that the country as a whole would come more together instead of apart,” he said.

Carey said the current economic climate is an experience most people understand.

“We’re all going through this together,” Carey said.

United Way plans to use the data

Calls to the 211 Resource Center for assistance have jumped 21% this year, Mashek said.

“We know the need is just exceptionally high in the community,” she said.

Mashek said the data helps United Way and other nonprofits advocate for more resources.

“It helps us go make the case to funders, to our municipal partners to say there really is this need out there, and we could really use your help to really meet the need that exists in the community,” she said. “How can we use this information to really drive home what need looks like in our community with those who are making the laws and the rules, and the programs that support our community from all the way from the local, municipal level, up through the federal government and beyond,” Mashek said.

United Way said it plans to extend its partnership with the Kansas City Transportation Authority to offer free bus fares. United Way said it will use the data so more people can qualify for those passes. More information about the effort is set to be released the week of Nov. 16.