United Way Challenges Attribution of ALICE Research Used by Pattern for Progress

Nearly half of New York households are struggling to afford basic living expenses, according to the latest ALICE data from United Way of New York State and United For ALICE.

The data are also at the center of a dispute over how the research was presented recently by Hudson Valley Pattern for Progress.

United Way of New York State President and CEO Therese Daly says the United Way of New York State, 31 local United Ways and United For ALICE are the publishers of the ALICE report. She says United Way’s concern is not that Pattern for Progress discussed or used publicly available ALICE data, but that the organization’s publication did not properly identify and credit the original research.

“We just unfortunately do not feel and believe it is very well done in this publication,” Daly said.

Daly said the United Way organizations and United For ALICE have invested in producing the research and want to make sure it is properly credited, cited and used.

“Our issue is not that Pattern talks about ALICE or publicly used publicly available ALICE data,” Daly said. “The issue is that the publication went beyond independent analysis and really did not properly cite the report.”

She said the official ALICE report was published in June by United Way of New York State, United For ALICE and the 31 local United Ways.

What ALICE measures

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. Daly says the measure is designed to identify people who are working but still do not earn enough to afford basic needs in the communities where they live.

“Individuals are doing their absolute best, but are not making enough to live in the area that they live and work,” Daly said.

The ALICE measure differs from the federal poverty level because it accounts for the costs of living in specific communities.

Daly said ALICE households can include people working full time, sometimes holding two jobs, who still struggle to maintain a basic quality of life.

Those households can face difficult choices between necessities, including utility bills and food, she said.

The latest statewide data show 48% of New York households — about 3.74 million households — are below the ALICE threshold, according to Daly.

Hudson Valley counties

The data also provide county-level information.

Sullivan County, which had the lowest percentage of ALICE households in the region at 25%, ranked the highest in the number of households below the federal poverty level at 15%. The county had the lowest cost of living, with the hourly wage needed for single households to cover the basic needs being about $16, compared to the roughly $22 average in the Hudson Valley.

Delaware County ranks near the bottom tier of New York State on the United For ALICE Economic Viability Dashboard due to its isolated geography and minimal corporate infrastructure.

The county-level data are available through the United Way of New York State website, Daly said.

Daly said the information is intended to help communities, nonprofits and elected officials understand local economic conditions and identify resources for households that are struggling.

United Way of New York State also operates 211 New York, which Daly described as a confidential, 24-hour, 365-day helpline available in 180 languages for people seeking community resources.

Affordability is also a workforce issue

Daly said the ALICE findings have implications for employers and the broader economy.

“If you can’t afford to live or you’re having to make these heartbreaking decisions of providing for your family by having to choose one or the other, that is a workforce issue,” she said.

She said the research can help employers understand what workers need to maintain a reasonable quality of life where they work.

Daly also pointed to child care, transportation and wages as interconnected issues.

She said communities need to consider incentives for child care providers, affordable transportation and resources that can help workers remain in the workforce.

United Way wants ALICE to become New York’s poverty index

Daly said United Way is working on legislation that would have New York state recognize ALICE as its official poverty index.

She said the federal poverty level is currently the only universally used index, while ALICE provides county-level information intended to better reflect the cost of living in New York communities.

“We’re working on having New York state recognize ALICE research as the poverty index across the state,” Daly said.

She said the goal is to establish a common measure that policymakers can use when developing programs and policies.

Pattern for Progress responds

Pattern for Progress President and CEO Alexandra S. Obremski said the organization recognizes ALICE as a valuable tool for understanding household economic well-being.

Pattern for Progress acknowledges that United Way created the ALICE methodology and that United For ALICE continues to produce the data and tools.

The organization said it uses publicly available data from government, nonprofit and research organizations as part of its independent analysis of issues affecting the Hudson Valley.

Pattern for Progress said its intention was to amplify ALICE data and extend their reach among local governments, employers, nonprofits and community leaders.

In response, Daly reiterated that United Way’s concern is about the reproduction and attribution of the research, not discussion of the findings themselves.

She said United Way wants to work with organizations that use the research and believes the data can help communities address affordability challenges.

“We want to spread awareness on ALICE, but doing so through unauthorized publication and attribution is not the way to go about it,” Daly said.

Daly said the larger goal should be using the research to bring together employers, elected officials, transportation authorities, child care providers and community organizations.

“It takes a village,” she said, arguing that communities need to work together to improve quality of life for New York households.

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