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United Way tells Washington County supervisors 43% of households struggle to afford basics; highlights ALICE population
Summary
A United Way presentation to the Washington County Board reported that 32% of county households meet the ALICE definition (asset-limited, income-constrained, employed) and 11% live in poverty, meaning roughly 43% — over 10,000 households — struggle to afford basic expenses, the presenter said.
Kristen, a United Way representative, told the Washington County Board of Supervisors that new ALICE data for the county show 32% of households meet the ALICE threshold and another 11% live below the federal poverty level, meaning roughly 43% of households — “more than 10,000 local households,” she said — cannot reliably afford essentials such as housing, childcare, food and transportation.
The ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) measure, Kristen explained, counts working households that earn more than the federal poverty level but still fall short of a household-survival budget. She told supervisors the county’s median household income was about $73,000 in 2024 versus a state median near $85,000 and listed common ALICE occupations including health-care workers, childcare providers, retail and hospitality employees, agricultural workers, home health aides, teaching assistants and truck drivers.
Why it matters: Kristen said the federal poverty measure is outdated and does not reflect local costs; ALICE data give a fuller picture of financial vulnerability in local workforce populations. The presenter recommended local responses that include workforce housing, rental and home-repair assistance, expanded childcare, rural transportation options and employer-aligned workforce training.
United Way supports local providers and referral systems, Kristen said: the state United Way 211 number helps residents find food pantries, mental-health supports and legal aid; the local United Way provides grants and said last year it gave more than $50,000 to the Adirondack counseling provider that offers sliding-scale copays. Kristen also described medical-transportation grants that can provide up to six free medical-appointment rides per month for seniors in Warren and Washington counties.
Board members asked about mental-health access and transportation. Kristen and Crystal Shephard, executive director of Tri-County United Way, said the United Way funds local counseling and helps bridge copay gaps; they encouraged supervisors to partner with nonprofits and to incorporate ALICE metrics into planning and economic development strategies. Kristen offered to provide the board with detailed county data on request.
The presentation and Q&A took place during the morning session; no formal board action was recorded on ALICE during this meeting.
