Nearly half of RI households struggle to afford basics, new United Way report finds
Nearly half of Rhode Island households are struggling to afford basic necessities, according to a new report released by the United Way of Rhode Island.
Rhode Island is the 41st state to join the national United for ALICE movement.
ALICE stands for “Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed” and refers to households that earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to cover the cost of living.
The new report found that 43% of households statewide were below the ALICE Threshold in 2024, meaning they were either living in poverty or earning too little to afford basic expenses such as housing, food, transportation, healthcare and childcare.