UNDATED (WSAU-WXPR) — A study released by the United Way of Wisconsin shows almost half of Wisconsin households are having a tough time affording basic necessities.
United Way of Wisconsin Executive Director Charlene Mouille says the study finds a surprising number of people with lower incomes. 42% of Wisconsin households cannot afford all of their expenses, including housing, food, health care, child care, and transportation, despite being employed.
“It represents households above the federal poverty level, but below a basic cost of living as outlined in the report. The report takes a look at that living county by county,” said Mouille.
“The study suggests that that threshold could be a tipping point to being just one emergency away from slipping into further financial distress.”
The study broke down the income stress by multiple categories, including job opportunities, affordable housing, and income. The findings show that more than two-thirds of Wisconsin’s municipalities have more than 30 percent of households unable to afford life’s basic necessities. 65 percent of all jobs in Wisconsin pay less than $20 an hour and most pay less than $15 an hour.
Interview by Ken Krall, WXPR.
