Contrary to popular belief, many families facing eviction are not unemployed. They are often working two or three jobs and doing everything possible to stay afloat. But for ALICE® (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households, even one unexpected setback— a flat tire, a sick child, a reduction in hourly work— can snowball into a missed rent payment and the threat of eviction.
In South Carolina, the impact of eviction is especially devastating. Once an eviction is on a tenant’s record, it never disappears. In our state, eviction is known by many as the “Scarlet E” because it can block families from securing safe and affordable housing for years, or even decades.
“An eviction in South Carolina can be very impactful on someone’s life,” said Mary Templeton, Staff Attorney at Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services. “It stays on someone’s record forever.”
Families who seek help at Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services, a Trident United Way partner are often working parents supporting children or neighbors living paycheck to paycheck who find themselves one crisis away from instability. They are not strangers; they are the childcare workers, servers and retail staff who keep our community running.
That’s why Trident United Way’s focus on ALICE households matters. By aligning their eligibility guidelines with the real cost of living in the Tri-County region, Charleston Pro Bono has been able to ensure their support reaches those who need it most.
“I think it's fantastic that Trident United Way is underscoring ALICE,” said Alissa Lietzow, CEO of Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services. “Our eligibility guidelines are not based on federal poverty guidelines, but rather area median income. Here in Charleston, that aligns perfectly with the ALICE Threshold.”
With the right support, including legal assistance, coaching and financial resources, families can break the cycle of instability and move toward lasting financial security.
“An average client that comes to Charleston Pro Bono with housing issues or looking for housing help usually has children to support, and they are typically working,” said Templeton. “It's just a situation where they're living paycheck to paycheck. It’s important to realize that anyone can lose their financial stability and end up in this position.”
Trident United Way is committed to ensuring no family is defined by a single crisis.