HEARTBEAT OF THE COMMUNITY:
UNITED WAY OF THE MIDLANDS SIGNALS AND TRENDS REPORT United Way of the Midlands plays an important role in uniting the caring spirit of our community to address social and economic disparities. We strive to remove barriers and create opportunities through powerful partnerships— all the while serving as accountable stewards by directing dollars where they are needed most. UWM’s discernment is more important than ever, and depends on a deep understanding of local needs, tuned into the pulse of our community. The UWM Signals and Trends Report highlights conditions experienced across our metro area – particularly among families struggling to make ends meet and the programs designed to serve them. It combines existing research with data unique to UWM, including feedback from our investment partners and program participants. As a data-driven organization, these learnings guide our path forward… together.
NOT SURPRISINGLY, HOUSING HAS REPLACED TRANSPORTATION AS THE ISSUE WITH THE MOST COMMUNITY ATTENTION. Across 26 research studies and planning efforts, housing expense assistance and homelessness were the two most frequently prioritized topics. A combination of low inventory, unsafe properties, high rent and escalating housing prices are driving residents to housing instability and homelessness. The affordable housing crisis is real, widespread and continues to persist.
In addition to independent community research, the need for adequate housing appears daily in our work. In the last fiscal year, over 50% of the calls to the 211 Contact Center were for housing, and of those calls, 85% were seeking expense assistance – mirroring results from across the studies. Frequent users, individuals who seek support from 211 across multiple months, further stress the urgent need for housing. These callers represent the individuals and families in our community who are experiencing high levels of need on an ongoing basis. Among frequent users, 89% sought Housing or Utility Assistance at least once in 2022 and 78% of callers who requested housing assistance in Call #1 also sought housing assistance for Call #2.
We’ve developed partnerships with Goodfellows, MUD, OPPD, and others to provide rent and utility relief for families— but it’s not enough to meet the demand. The urgency and severity of the issue requires both immediate interventions and long-term strategies ranging from continued housing assistance to expanding housing stock. In addition to efforts focused on connecting households to higher wage jobs, it’s important to implement concurrent solutions aimed at root causes and underlying disparities. Because of the visibility and magnitude of the housing challenge, there’s a sense of urgency and momentum among local leaders to improve the housing situation in our community. By working together and implementing comprehensive solutions, we can make meaningful progress toward increased access and a more affordable housing landscape.
OUR ANALYSIS UNDERSCORES THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVIDING BASIC NEEDS SUPPORTS, WHILE CREATING OPPORTUNITIES FOR ECONOMIC MOBILITY TO HELP HARDWORKING FAMILIES CHANGE THEIR TRAJECTORY.
It comes as no surprise that transportation is still Based on this data from the most recent American among the most visible topics in our community— Community Survey, we estimate about 303,000 the need to connect people with critical people (1 in 3 people) in the metro area are struggling destinations across remains a priority because it to make ends meet. Of this, less than 88,000 are living has the power to transform our economic, health, in poverty— meaning the vast majority are working social and cultural well-being. Further, a healthy families caught in the gap between economic and vibrant community depends on a healthy self-sufficiency and the federal poverty line. transportation ecosystem. Local studies and planning recognized the historical On an already tight budget, an limitations of our transportation unexpected expense can quickly turn CREATIVE system, but also referenced into a financial crisis— driving CONTRIBUTIONS: cross-sector collaborations to families in and out of poverty. United Way can contribute as improve both infrastructure and Nationally, 40% of Americans can’t a supportive partner in this public options – with big solutions cover a $400 emergency expense. domain by promoting mobile on the horizon. Yet as long-term When we asked callers to UWM’s options, delivery services, efforts to improve transportation 211 Contact Center how they would extended operating hours and continue to develop and come to cover this expense, 90% said they other inclusive practices that fruition, transportation remains a couldn’t use cash or otherwise pay take pressure off the need to significant community need. the bill immediately. have a car. In fact, transportation is among 211’s Studies from the U.S. Census shows that Top 5 needs with more than 3,500 episodes of poverty are much more referrals for transportation in 2022, with 700 common than longer-term or chronic cases of related to employment. Due to limited poverty. Overall, the poverty rate in the U.S. is 12.6% transportation resources and alternatives currently and 9.3% for the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro area. available, this category is also among our Top 5 But a census study shows that the poverty rate unmet needs – meaning a specialist was unable to among families who have experienced poverty for provide a caller with a local resource for their only two months is actually much higher. The transportation need. Adults aren’t the only people research indicates that over a 36-month period, 27.1% affected by transportation challenges; we found of families experience episodes of poverty, while 3.3% 67% of our own JAG Nebraska students grapple experienced poverty for the entire period. So while with transportation needs, whether related to work the poverty rate is an important economic indicator, it or education. As part of Ride United, UWM has hides nuances related to the episodes of poverty partnered with United Way Worldwide and Lyft to families are more likely to face. Further, today’s offer limited rides for transportation to and from struggling households often make too much to critical appointments. Unfortunately, the need for qualify for benefit programs. For instance, nearly half this service far exceeds availability – ride share, of our 211 respondents were employed – but less than cars, bike paths, and public transit aren’t the only 25% were receiving benefits like SNAP, WIC, or solutions to improve access for our community. Disability. As families seek to earn more to supply their basic needs, they begin to lose access to important benefits that are often needed along the WORKING FAMILIES LIVE way. The Cliff Effect occurs when wages from a new PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK, OFTEN employment opportunity do not make up for a family's loss of benefits, putting the family in a worse FACING PERSISTENT NEEDS financial situation. It is a key contributor to financial instability and a systemic barrier that keeps Our community has among the highest number of hardworking families from gaining financial working poor in the country, with 7 of 10 families in independence. poverty having at least one member of the family who works. It’s not a new trend, as the Omaha-Council Bluffs metro has ranked among THE 65+ POPULATION IS GROWING, the highest in the country in this metric for at least AND REPLACED CHILDREN AS THE the last 10 years.
GROUP WITH THE HIGHEST POVERTY
But the federal poverty line doesn’t begin to tell the story of financial stability in our area, or the United States. Living wage calculators created by leading national institutions estimate the income a family in our area needs to meet a basic needs budget. According to even the most conservative assessment, a family of four in our area needs to earn more than twice the poverty standard to make ends meet.
The nationwide growth of the 65 and over population is a well-documented demographic trend, driven by the retirement of the baby boomer cohort and their transition into later life stages. In our community, this population is projected to increase 51% between 2020 and 2045– about 5 times as much as other ages. The supplemental poverty measure shows poverty among
As a trusted steward for investments, UWM recognizes the importance of building bridges to a more sustainable future. This means encouraging collaboration and investing with an eye on The fact that the 65 and over poverty rate has efficiency. Our funding process elevates surpassed childhood poverty rates is programs with proven results and significant because it highlights the accelerates growth where exceptional challenges faced by a vulnerable work is happening. With more than demographic that has limited earning 5,750 organizations currently potential and often relies on fixed operating in the Omaha-Council incomes, like Social Security. This JAG Nebraska graduates trend underscores the importance working full-time earn well over Bluffs metro— several organizations have sunset programs, merged or of addressing issues related to the poverty line and most otherwise consolidated— and we retirement security, healthcare federal assistance programs, access and social safety nets to further suggesting the program anticipate more to come. UWM will continue to harness the power of ensure the well-being of our aging has immediate impacts on community voice to discern how to population and reduce economic economic mobility. invest resources where they are disparities among different age needed most. groups. seniors at 12.8% just slightly higher than the 12.5% rate for children under 18.
BRIGHT SPOT:
IMMEDIATE ACTION UWM’s 211 Contact Center is now taking calls as an Aging and Disability Resource Center.
AS FEDERAL FUNDS EXPIRE AND CHARITABLE GIVING PLUMMETS NATIONWIDE, THE DEMAND FOR LOCAL SERVICES HAS INCREASED— LEAVING NONPROFITS STRUGGLING TO OFFER ESSENTIAL SERVICES Leading philanthropy researchers report giving by individuals fell 13.4% last year nationally – in 40 years charitable giving has fallen only three other times. Locally in Nebraska, more than 65.3% of nonprofits expect their donations will decline or remain flat for 2023. As nonprofits struggle to secure alternative sources of funding, there is a growing concern about the potential gaps in support and assistance for vulnerable populations. In fact, about 80% of 211 callers access at least some services, but 40% say hearing back from the agency is a barrier to service. And 45% consider the availability of services in our community fair or average. Feedback from nonprofit partners reinforces these challenges. Nonprofit leaders at some of our strongest community institutions indicated the health and human resources in our community are not sufficient to meet the demand. Acting as key informants, all of these community leaders indicated area nonprofits are not prepared to ensure the sustainability of programs that are needed beyond the pandemic. Compounding these challenges, nonprofits continue to report turnover and layoffs, with staff issues impacting wait times and capacity. Many organizations are already leveraging technology and mobile services to augment capacity limitations, and increase access.
HOW WE MOBILIZE OUR COMMUNITY IS AS IMPORTANT AS EVER While our network of non-profits works to strengthen communities and fill gaps in resources for those in need, the rest of us must decide what role we can play. As philanthropy becomes more accessible, it’s important to remember that a gift of any amount can have a powerful impact when it’s magnified by the power of community. Nearly 9 of 10 of our funded partners say that an investment from UWM in their programs is an endorsement of their work and an investment from the broader community. When we give together, we thrive together. They say if you can’t donate money, donate your time, but often these go hand in hand. Data shows that in addition to decreases in financial giving, volunteerism is also seeing steep declines. While Nebraskan’s rank 7th nationally with 33.9% of our population formally volunteering, it was once much stronger across the state, at over 40% in 2017. Our research shows that this is not just a pandemic effect. Although Nebraska truly is a state of giving when compared to others, volunteerism appears to be slowing down over the past 20 years. These trends are driving transformative changes in engagement— toward a more inclusive approach where community insights directly shape strategies, programs and outcomes. Our full report identifies a variety of critical roles for people of all economic backgrounds to engage with area organizations. Ultimately, this leads to positive and enduring change that is profoundly aligned with the core values of the community.
THE OMAHA-COUNCIL BLUFFS METRO IS A PLACE WHERE NEIGHBORS CARE FOR NEIGHBORS AND COMPASSION DRIVES POSITIVE CHANGE. WE STAND OUT, BECAUSE WE LEAN IN. BUT TOO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR COMMUNITY ARE STRUGGLING TO MAKE ENDS MEET, AND WE NEED TO HAVE THE RESOURCES HERE TO HELP HARDWORKING FAMILIES THRIVE. THE MISSION TO UNITE THE CARING SPIRIT FOR A STRONGER TOMORROW REQUIRES THE COLLECTIVE POWER OF OUR ENTIRE COMMUNITY TODAY.
THANK YOU TO OUR DATA PARTNERS, KEY INFORMANTS AND PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTFUL INSIGHTS AND EXPERTISE WITH OUR COMMUNITY RESEARCH TEAM. THE FULL UWM REPORT WILL BE AVAILABLE LATER THIS FALL. SOURCES UWM Analysis using American Community Survey, 5-Year data 2016-2021. Table B17016: Poverty status in the past 12 months of families by family type by work experience of householder and spouse. American Community Survey, 2021. Table S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months and Table B17002: Ratio of Income to Poverty Level in the Past 12 Months. American Community Survey, 5-Year data 2016-2021. Table S1701: Poverty Status in the Past 12 Months. Dynamics of Poverty Report, U.S. Census, 2017-2019 published December 2022. The Supplemental Poverty Measure: 2019 (Report P60-272), U.S. Census Bureau. Senior Population Data: December 2015 Nebraska County Population Projections, CPAR @ UNO; Custom Calculations from 2019 5-Year ACS Public Use Microdata Sample, U.S. Census Bureau . Compiled by David Drozd. The supplemental poverty measure provides a more comprehensive understanding of poverty by accounting for additional factors such as government assistance and cost-of-living variations, making it a more accurate gauge of economic hardship than the traditional poverty measure. Giving USA 2023: Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2022 published by Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. National Council of Nonprofits: Nonprofit Workforce Shortage Survey for Nebraska, August 2023 Cause IQ directory of Nonprofits by Geography – Omaha area nonprofits. Nebraska’s Nonprofit Sector Economic Impact Report, 2019. Commissioned by the Nonprofit Association of the Midlands. Volunteering and Civic Life in America: State Trends over Time, 2021.Note: This is the most recent and robust census of civic engagement in the U.S. Census Bureau.