When families have what they need, they can break cycles of poverty and work toward a better tomorrow for future generations and our entire community.
Strong households have the primary resources needed to survive such as food, shelter, and care for mental and physical needs. They also have the ability to make choices and have hope for the future, envisioning possibilities for themselves and their community. This creates dignity in spaces where every person is connected, respected, and celebrated. Strong households are the foundation of a vibrant community and when they are strong, our entire community is strong.
But we know that for many families, achieving this vision begins with having enough money to cover basic necessities like housing, transportation, food, and more. And to compound this, many families have barriers or lack access to these fundamental needs—which is outside their control, making it a more complex issue than just limited income. Metro United Way is working with a network of partners to address these issues.
The Need
Kentucky
14.9% of Kentucky’s population lives below the poverty line
7th poorest state in the country
42nd worst economy in the country
Louisville has the 5th highest percentage of population living in poverty in the country
There is a 12-year life expectancy gap between West and East Louisville
There is a waiting list for affordable housing in Louisville and the rate of annual rental increase has more than doubled from 2021 – present
Homelessness has increased by 41% from 2018 to 2021 in Louisville
4,837 students in our 7-county region (Jefferson, Bullitt, Oldham counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison counties in Indiana) were homeless at some point in the 2020-2021 school year
115,798, or 9.5% of individuals in our 7-county region are food insecure
The resources available in a neighborhood make a significant difference for the children who grow up there. On average, children who grow up in a neighborhood in the top 20% of resources can expect to earn 46% more in annual salary compared to children who grow up in the bottom 20% of neighborhoods
Indiana
12.2% of Indiana’s population lives below the poverty line
20th highest poverty rate in the country
1 in 5 families in MUW’s 7-county region struggle to make ends meet
Nearly 4 in 10 Americans don’t have $400 to cover a minor emergency without having to borrow or sell a possession
There are huge disparities between average White and Black household wealth as well as discrepancies between White and Black homeownership rates
Sources: Zillow ZORI metric, Louisville Metro Housing, Coalition for the Homeless, Feeding America, Opportunity Atlas, MUW data analysis
...and our partners in this work
2024 HIGHLIGHTS
It will take all of us working together to ensure every household in our community is strong. Join us and invest today.