In Iowa 37% of households are unable to afford the cost of living in the state, according to a report from the United Way.

The ALICE Report, which stands for Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed shows a large population of Iowans who work at low-paying jobs and have little or no savings, and are near poverty. According to United Way, these workers are jobs like child and senior caregiving, clerical, custodial, and service sector positions.

On average to afford a two-bedroom rental home in the state of Iowa one would need to make $15.01 per hour at a full-time job. In Washington County 27% of the 8,757 households are renters. The fair market cost for a two-bedroom rental locally is $777 and in order to afford that one would need to make $31,080 in annual income, that equates to $14.94 per hour at 40 hours per week. Iowa’s minimum wage is less than half of that at $7.25. At a full-time minimum wage an affordable rent is $377. The average wage of a renter in Washington County is $10.27 per hour, meaning 30% of the median income for affordable housing would be $30 short each month of covering a one-bedroom rental property at $584 per month.