Who is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—households that earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still struggle to afford basic necessities such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and childcare. Many ALICE households include working families whose wages simply do not keep pace with the rising cost of living.
According to United Way of Greater Houston (2024), 13% of households across Greater Houston live below the federal poverty level, while an additional 40% fall into the ALICE category. Across the three counties served by Empower CDC - Fort Bend, Harris, and Montgomery, an average of 36% of households are ALICE.
As the cost of living continues to rise, more hardworking families find themselves living paycheck to paycheck. Empower CDC develops programs and services designed to reduce barriers, strengthen financial stability, and provide opportunities that help ALICE households thrive, not just survive.
