The Hard Choices Facing Howard County’s ALICE Families
Imagine getting a paycheck, only to find that after rent, bills, and groceries, there’s nothing left. Then, an unexpected cost appears—your child needs to see a doctor, or your car requires a repair so you can get to work. What do you do? Skip groceries to afford the doctor? Cancel internet service to pay for the car repair?
Situations like these can feel insurmountable, and even more so when families who are struggling are surrounded by more affluent friends and neighbors. They may feel isolated, embarrassed, or afraid and ashamed to seek help.
“These families are hardworking, yet they face impossible choices—covering rent might mean skipping meals, and one unexpected bill can send them into a financial crisis,” said Erika Chavarria, executive director of Columbia Community Care (CCC), a Howard County nonprofit dedicated to addressing root cause issues that lead to hunger. “We see firsthand the impact that just a little bit of support can make.”
Who is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. It describes a growing segment of the population who, despite working, still struggles to afford basic needs like food, healthcare, housing, and technology. ALICE households support our local economy, working in essential sectors like retail, healthcare, education, and transportation. However, in areas like Howard County where living expenses surpass the national average, these workers are often unable to make ends meet.
Why ALICE Matters
The ALICE population is trapped in a critical gap in the social safety net. Employed and earning, ALICE households often don’t qualify for government programs like SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program), Medicaid, or housing assistance. Yet, their incomes remain insufficient to cover essential expenses, especially when emergencies like medical bills or car repairs arise.
For ALICE households, the challenge isn’t just low wages; it’s the ever-growing cost of necessities. Housing expenses have surged nationwide, with many ALICE families spending over 30% of their income on rent or mortgage payments. This leaves little for other essentials, forcing these families into difficult choices—pay for rent or buy groceries, fund childcare or skip healthcare.
ALICE in Howard County
Social service programs frequently use the federal poverty level (FPL) to determine eligibility, yet the FPL doesn’t account for the high cost of living in places like Howard County.
For example, to qualify for SNAP, a family of four must earn below $39,000 annually, or 130% of the FPL. But in Howard County, even families earning well above this threshold still face significant food insecurity. Grocery prices alone are higher here than in other parts of Maryland, and affordable food options can be limited, especially for those without access to reliable transportation.
For a family of four to afford the basics in Howard County, including housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation, they would need an annual income closer to $90,000. This gap highlights the reality for ALICE families earning near the FPL—they earn too much to qualify for support but far too little to comfortably meet local living costs.
In addition, local childcare costs average around $1,500 per month for a single child, meaning parents often have to choose between paying for childcare or sacrificing other essentials.
“In high-cost areas like Howard County, federal guidelines simply don’t capture the reality for ALICE families,” said Chavarria. “They’re just over the income threshold to qualify for assistance, but their budgets are stretched thin trying to cover rent, food, and childcare.”
The Impact of Being ALICE
Financial stress has serious, lasting consequences. Without adequate support, ALICE families risk falling into deeper hardship. Many experience heightened levels of physical and emotional strain, as the pressure of constant financial uncertainty affects their health and well-being. Health often takes a back seat, with ALICE families postponing medical care or cutting back on nutritious food to save money. For parents, the lack of affordable childcare limits work opportunities, reinforcing the cycle of economic instability.
How Columbia Community Care Can Help
CCC food distribution sites and grocery delivery services provide front line assistance to ALICE families, but meeting urgent needs is just one part of CCC’s mission. The organization also works to address systemic inequalities through partnerships that build and strengthen educational, mentorship, learning, and wellness programs for youth and the community.
“At Columbia Community Care, our goal is to meet families where they are, providing food and essential services, but also working to address the root causes of inequity in our community,” said Chavarria. “Our goal is to provide the necessary support that helps people realize their full potential. Sometimes that is a little boost, other times it is more multi-dimensional.”
