United Way Report Paints Dismal Economic Picture for Area

United Way of Northwest Louisiana Chief Executive Officer Bruce Wilson talks about the recently released ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) Report that many say is sounding the alarm for the financial outlook in the Shreveport, Bossier area.

The report is a study of households that earn more than the federal poverty level, but less than the basic cost of living for the region. The ALICE Report says that, while conditions have improved for some households, many continue to struggle, especially as the study emphasizes that wages failed to keep pace with the cost of household essentials (housing, child care, food, transportation, healthcare, etc.).

The report, as Wilson explains, also underlines the major shifts in "household composition." He points out that, as stated in the report, the share of American adults who have never been married is at an historic high. In addition, there is a also a record number of senior households. There is also an increasing number of working people who live with their parents.

Wilson also makes the point that these ALICE Report numbers are from 2018. "The...report lags two years. But in 2018 in the city of Shreveport we had 60% of our population was at the ALICE threshold, which means there are hardworking people who are falling behind all the way down to the very bottom."

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