ALICE REPORT
What ALICE Looks Like in 2026
A Lake County family of four with two children in daycare now needs more than $103,000 a year just to afford the basics: housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation. In Sumter County that same family needs $94,000
These are ALICE families—Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed—working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. They live paycheck to paycheck and stand just one unexpected expense away from dire circumstances.
Across Lake and Sumter Counties nearly 110,000 households are living below the ALICE Threshold.
What it Costs to Live in Our Communities
Family of four with two children in childcare
Lake County
$103,000
Sumter County
$94,000
How We Support ALICE Families
United Way Lake & Sumter invests in programs that help families move from survival to security, including:
Direct Services
Direct Services provides immediate assistance to families facing urgent needs, helping them stay safe, stable, and moving forward. In coordination with community partners, UWLS provided $230,500 in direct assistance to families across our region in 2025.
United We Give
With the help and support of our partners and volunteers over 620 Thanksgiving Dinner Kits were provided to local families during our 2025 United We Give event.
Emergency Allocations
In November of 2025 the Federal government shut down. As a result, SNAP Benefits were temporarily paused leading many local families to face immediate food insecurity. $50,000 in emergency grants were issued to help bridge the gap.
Community Investment
From April 2025 through July 2026, $150,000 in grant funding was awarded to 10 community partners supporting programs that address food insecurity, homelessness prevention, and youth empowerment.
Pathways
Pathways connects participants with educational support, financial wellness resources, and health initiatives to help create a stronger, more stable future.
VITA
VITA provides free tax preparation to eligible households, helping individuals and families maximize refunds, claim valuable tax credits, and strengthen their financial stability.
Explore the Full ALICE Report
Access interactive county-level data, trends, and insights across Florida.
Who is struggling Most
Financial hardship impacts many in our region—but some groups are facing greater challenges:
- Older Adults: The fastest-growing group struggling to afford basic needs
- Single-Parent Households: Especially single mothers, facing the highest rates of hardship
- Families With Children: Balancing rising costs and limited income
- Households of Color: Disproportionately impacted by economic barriers
Did you know?
More than 120,000 adults age 65+ in Lake and Sumter Counties live below the ALICE Threshold.
