Advocating for Positive Change

ALICE, an acronym for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, represents working individuals and families that earn above the Federal Poverty Level but still cannot afford the basic cost of living in Hawaiʻi. The ALICE Initiative aims to increase the economic stability of ALICE Households.

2024 AUW Advocacy Focus Areas for ALICE:

1. Advocating for measures that would increase accessible, safe and affordable housing
2. Increase the stock of affordable housing for residents in a range of income levels; including measures to modify zoning and permitting regulations
3. Development and rehabilitation of affordable housing for residents and measures that limit the use of housing stock for non-resident investment and short-term rental units
4. Develop pathways to homeownership specifically for households at or below the ALICE Threshold
5. Support fund development to rehabilitate existing housing and maintain current owners in their homes
6. Limit or cap property tax increases for kūpuna and long-time homeowners living in their primary residence

• Develop living wage income opportunities and/or reduce household costs
• Expand and support savings, matching, and asset-building programs
• Increase minimum wage to meet or exceed ALICE Threshold
• Combat predatory lending and increase access to equitable financial services and credit
• Expand resources for households facing unmanageable debt
• Provide statewide access to paid family leave and paid sick leave
• Reduce tax burden on households for essential goods and services
• Develop broader safety net supports to mitigate short-term setbacks and emergencies for households ALICE and below Increase funding for Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP), Voluntary Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and dependent Tax Credit programs

• Support universally available preschool and expansion of public preschool options and seats
• Reduce cost of childcare and increase availability of affordable/quality childcare

• Enhance workforce development opportunities in Hawaiʻi and develop career pipelines that provide wages above the ALICE Threshold
• Development of  programs to assist ALICE Households in accessing and affording the cost of post-secondary education
• Diversify options for dual credit certification programs

• Eliminate or mitigate impact of “Benefits Cliffs” means or earning tests that cause large drops in benefits due to minor increases in earnings
• Develop bridge programs that transition households through potential benefits cliffs and support economic mobility

• Increase funding or programs that support active and healthy aging in our community Increase investment to address a growing mental health crisis; providing for timely request for services and support

Advocacy in this area supports local residents with immediate food and shelter needs, as well as those in our community responding to emergencies.

2024 AUW Advocacy Focus Areas for Safety Net:

• Provide for continuity and increased funding for Emergency Food and Shelter (EFSP), Voluntary Income Tax Assistance (VITA), Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Child Tax Credit (CTC) programs
• Development of “Safe Zones” for houseless persons as long as the long-term objective remains permanent housing for safe zone users
• Increases in the rate for the Low Income Tax Credit via a non-contiguous cost of living index

Aloha United Way actively works to support the nonprofit community and the vital programs that local nonprofit organizations provide.

2024 AUW Advocacy Focus Areas for Public Policy:

• Continuation and expansion of charitable giving tax incentives
• Continuation of existing limitations on 501(c)3 advocacy regarding support of specific candidates (Johnson Amendment)