What does United Way of Lee say?
United Way of Lee, Hendry and Glades says the report validates how rising costs burden families.
“The latest ALICE report highlights the challenges facing many local households, with nearly one-third of Lee County families struggling financially,” Madison Mitchell, interim chief operating officer, said.
“The cost of basic necessities such as housing, childcare, transportation, health care and technology has risen dramatically in the last 20 years, making it increasingly difficult for households to make ends meet,” she said.
The United Way chapter sees the growing need reflected in the demand for services among the 92 nonprofit partner agencies and over 250 programs it helps to fund, Mitchell said.
"United Way funding helps improve the lives of more than 500,000 people that are in need each year, and the ALICE report provides valuable insight that helps us direct resources where they are needed most," Mitchell said.
What to know about ALICE
The nonprofit ALICE has introduced an “essentials index” which tracks the cost of six basic necessities: housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology.
The gap between wages and expenses remains significant, according to the index.
Read the full story: https://www.naplesnews.com/story/news/2026/06/18/family-of-four-in-lee-need-84000-income-more-for-child-care-costs/90591479007/