As the costs of goods and services continue to rise and become more burdensome for the average American, Family Promise of Hawaii is making it clear that help is available, but says political decisions and new policies are becoming more important than ever and will have deep ramifications.
In a news release shared last year, the charity said many families are forced to choose between basic necessities in order to survive financially, even if they work full time. The COVID-19 pandemic brought the issue to the forefront, and increased gas prices and the higher cost of living are shining the spotlight on the problem once again.
"Many Hawaii households who are asset limited, income constrained and employed, or ALICE, are regularly faced with the difficult decision of choosing what basic necessities to go without to prioritize others," Family Promise of Hawaii said in its news release. "ALICE households are those which earn above the federal poverty level but still find themselves unable to cover all of their basic needs.
"According to the most recent study done by unitedforalice.org, one in three households in Hawaii are considered ALICE," according to the release. "These households are regularly faced with making difficult decisions of choosing one hardship over another, such as buying groceries or putting gas in the car, paying the electric bill or going to the doctor, paying the rent or affording childcare. Each choice creates a different outcome that often worsens and causes further financial strain in the future.
"The pandemic puts further strain on many ALICE households as the Economic Research Organization at University of Hawaii states that 10,000 residents have fallen behind on rent since the start of the pandemic," the release said.
According to a study conducted in 2018 by the Research Center of United for ALICE, 33% of Hawaiian households utilized ALICE benefits. Meanwhile, the average price of gas in Hawaii is over $5.50 per gallon. Last year the price of gas was $3.96.
According to United for ALICE, "The future success of our communities is directly tied to the financial stability of these fragile ALICE households.”