COVID-19 IMPACT SURVEY 2021 Roanoke Valley, Virginia Results Report
SPRING 2021
SURVEY OVERVIEW From January 29 to February 28, 2021, over 2,400 people living in the Roanoke Valley Region of Virginia responded to a survey about how their households have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic since March 1, 2020. The region includes Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Franklin, and Roanoke counties, the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem, and the Town of Vinton. The survey was conducted by United Way of Roanoke Valley in partnership with United For ALICE, a center of innovation, research, and action around financial hardship. Participants were recruited by United Way of Roanoke Valley and a network of regional community partners, as well as through media outreach; as such, this survey relied on a convenience sampling and is not a representative sample of the Roanoke Valley population, particularly in regard to race and ethnicity. However, the results of this survey provide important insights into the issues households in this area are facing during this time of profound need.
GUIDANCE ON USING THIS REPORT This Results Report presents the responses of people who took the survey; these results are not generalizable to the regional population. The survey was conducted with a “non-probability sample” (not all individuals in the population had an equal chance of being selected) and is therefore not a statistically valid representation of any geography, population, or sub-population. To recruit respondents, this survey relied on email and other online distribution through United Way and partners; those networks are unlikely to fully represent any given population. The survey responses have been broken down by households above and below the ALICE Threshold. This calculation is based on respondent’s reported household income, size, type, and location. This data has been used to statistically compare these two groups of respondents; however, these groups do not represent all households above and below the ALICE Threshold in the region. For a full list of guidelines and considerations for using this Report in a meaningful and accurate way, please email info@uwrv.org.
MEET ALICE When COVID-19 hit, 45% of all households in the Roanoke Valley Region (approximately 61,000 households) were already struggling to make ends meet — a 10-year record high — setting the stage for the unprecedented economic impact of the pandemic. This includes households below the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) and households that are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. With income above the FPL, ALICE households earn too much to qualify as “poor” but are still unable to cover the basics of housing, child care, food, transportation, health care, and technology in the counties and cities where they live. Of all survey respondents, 827 (34%) had income below the ALICE Threshold, which includes both households below the FPL and ALICE households. To learn more about ALICE in Virginia, visit UnitedForALICE.org/Virginia. Throughout this document, gold boxes will highlight statistically significant differences between respondents above and below the ALICE Threshold.
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SURVEY RESPONDENTS Of the 3,072 people who opened the survey link, 2,428 submitted valid surveys (which include known location; all surveys taken by people who live outside of the Roanoke Valley Region were excluded from the analysis). Respondents are broken down by demographic and geographic groups below. Demographic questions were asked about the respondent themselves, although for other questions they were asked to respond on behalf of their household:
Below ALICE Threshold
66%
Franklin County
Roanoke County
21%
City of Roanoke
19%
18%
Female
81%
11%
City of Salem
16%
11%
Four-Year Degree
34%
5% 2%
Hispanic/Latino (Alone or in Combination)
Non-Hispanic/Latino
2%
98%
13%
Households With Children
Households Without Children
61%
17%
Two-Year Degree
Two or More Races
92%
Male
High School Some or Below College
Black
34%
Botetourt County
26%
White
Above ALICE Threshold
Graduate/ Prof. Degree
39%
Households Without Seniors
28%
84%
Households With Seniors
16%
Note: Not all categories sum to 100% in this figure. By geography, 2% of respondents were in the Town of Vinton; less than 1% of respondents were from Alleghany County, the City of Covington, or Craig County. By gender, 1% of respondents selected “Prefer Not to Answer,” and a combined 1% selected “Non-Binary” or “Prefer to Self-Describe.” By race, all other groups combined constitute the remaining 1% of respondents.
“
I'm one of the lucky ones with a M.S. degree and a professional job that allows me to work from home. Other than increased anxiety and depression from social isolation, the pandemic has not had an adverse effect on me. However, in my community, I know people who have lost their homes, lost their jobs, defaulted on mortgages and car loans, relapsed after one or more years of continuous sobriety or divorced due to drug and alcohol use. I worry about kids going hungry and falling behind in their school work. I worry about the mental health of teens and preteens.
”
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HOUSEHOLD CONCERNS DURING THE PANDEMIC
Respondents were asked to select which of the following concerns their households were facing during the pandemic. Most respondents (76%), regardless of income, said contracting COVID-19 was their biggest concern.
Q. What are your household's concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic? Select all that apply Contracting COVID-19
76%
Mental Health Issues
49%
Child Care/Education
47%
Paying Off Debts
27%
Non-COVID-19 Medical Issues
26%
Paying Housing Expenses
26%
Reduction of Hours/Wages
22%
Having Enough Food
18%
Loss of Jobs
17%
Other
7%
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they were concerned about child care/education (54% vs. 43%), paying housing expenses (50% vs. 13%), paying off debts like car payments or credit card bills (40% vs. 20%), providing enough food for the household (39% vs. 7%), reduction of hours/wages for household members who were working (32% vs. 18%), medical issues other than COVID-19 (31% vs. 23%), and loss of one or more jobs (26% vs. 13%). Households above the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely to say that they were concerned about household members contracting COVID-19 (78% vs. 71%). Among the 7% of respondents who selected “other,” concerns included difficulties accessing the COVID-19 vaccine; being distanced from family, friends, and coworkers; sports and recreation closures; loneliness and isolation; fear of spreading COVID-19 to others; not being able to travel; difficulties finding work; and new and worsening challenges in caring for elderly family members and family members with special needs. When respondents were asked their biggest concern, concerns about household members contracting COVID-19 remained the primary concern (for 44% of respondents). However, child care/education moved up to become the number two concern (for 18% of respondents). The next-highest-ranking concern — paying housing expenses — was marked as the biggest concern for 10% of respondents. This ranking diverged by ALICE status. While households in both groups said contracting COVID-19 was their biggest concern, paying housing expenses ranked second for households below the ALICE Threshold (20%), whereas child care/education ranked second for households above the ALICE Threshold (21%). Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that their biggest concern was paying housing expenses (20% vs. 4%), providing enough food for the household (6% vs. 1), or paying off debts (5% vs. 3%). Households above the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely to say that their biggest concern was household members contracting COVID-19 (49% vs. 37%) or child care/education (21% vs. 13%).
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EMPLOYMENT CHANGES AND CHALLENGES At the time of the survey, 90% of households had income from one or more jobs, 18% had Social Security or other retirement income, 13% had income from investments, 5% were receiving unemployment insurance, 3% had another source of income, and 1% reported no source of income. Participants were asked how the pandemic had impacted employment for household members since March 1, 2020. Most respondents said employment hadn’t changed for any household members during this period (59%). However, some respondents reported that members of their household lost jobs (15%), experienced temporary layoffs (13%), changed jobs (13%), got a new/additional job (12%), or retired (3%). Although both groups had a high percentage of respondents with household income from one or more jobs, respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly less likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to report having this type of income (84% vs. 93%). Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely to say that someone in their household lost a job during the pandemic (24% vs. 9%), was temporarily laid off (19% vs. 9%), or got a new or additional job (15% vs. 10%). They were also significantly more likely to say that someone in their household had income from unemployment insurance or another government program (10% vs. 2%), and significantly less likely to say that someone in their household had income from investments (7% vs. 17%). These big employment shifts, however, were not the only way that the pandemic impacted workers. Among households where at least one person was working, respondents reported major changes in the work lives of household members, and these impacts varied based on whether workers were paid hourly or with a salary. Just over half of respondents (53%) relied on at least one hourly paid worker. Most workers in both groups continued to work on-site, but salaried workers were much more likely to report working remotely during the pandemic (when they previously worked on-site).
Q. Which of the following have occurred as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any? Select all that apply
Hourly
71%
Salary
71% 43%
54%
45% 17%
Working On-Site
Had to Buy PPE
8%
Working Remotely
20%
Had to Buy Technology
8%
11%
Other COVID-19 Work Impacts
4%
2%
Loss of Health Insurance
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to rely on at least one hourly paid worker for income (70% vs. 44%) and significantly less likely to say that one or more household members had a salaried job (47% vs. 80%). For workers with hourly paid jobs, respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they were working fewer hours (31% vs. 24%), were working for a reduced hourly wage (8% vs. 4%), or lost health insurance (6% vs. 1%). For workers with salaried jobs, respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to report having lost health insurance (7% vs. 1%), and significantly less likely to report working remotely (31% vs. 44%).
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Among the 11% of respondents with salaried jobs and 8% of respondents with hourly jobs who reported “other” work impacts from the pandemic, those impacts also varied by employment type. The most common impacts noted for salaried workers included increased hours, increased workload, and increased complexity of job. Some of these workers reported that they worked from home at the beginning of the pandemic and were back on-site at the time the survey was conducted, while others said that they were working a hybrid schedule of both remote and on-site. For hourly workers, “other” impacts tended to be related to health (worked in higher-risk jobs, contracted COVID-19, had to quarantine due to exposure at work). Unlike workers in salaried jobs, workers who were paid by the hour also faced fluctuating hours. Among households where at least one person in the household was working, 31% of respondents said household members in hourly paid jobs were working fewer hours during the pandemic. When asked why households members in hourly paid jobs were working fewer hours… • 83% of respondents said it was because their employer had less business or needed fewer staff • 20% said it was because of caregiving needs (for children, seniors, or a person with a disability) • 17% reported it was due to fear of catching COVID-19 • 8% said it was because of other (non-COVID-19) health issues • 2% said it was because of limited internet access or computer issues Just over one in five respondents (22%) said that someone in their household was looking for work (a new job or more hours) at the time the survey was conducted. These respondents were asked a follow-up question regarding barriers to finding work. The top ten responses are included in the figure below.
Q. What barriers are members of your household facing in looking for work, if any? Select all that apply
Trouble Finding A Job
47%
Can't Find Job That Pays Enough
46%
Afraid of Catching COVID-19
32%
Caring for Child/Children
27%
Worried About Losing Current Benefits
21%
Do Not Have Needed Credentials
18%
Existing Health Issues
14%
Internet Access/Computer Issues
12%
Caring for an Older Adult
8%
Transportation Issues
8%
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that someone in their household was actively looking for work (33% vs. 16%). Among those looking for work, respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that fears of catching COVID-19 (42% vs. 22%), caring for children (39% vs. 13%), internet access or computer issues (16% vs. 8%), transportation issues (12% vs. 3%), caring for an older adult (11% vs. 5%), caring for a person with special needs (9% vs. 2%), or language or literacy issues (6% vs. 1%) limited their ability to find work. Respondents above the ALICE Threshold with household members who were looking for work were significantly more likely to say that they were not facing any barriers to finding work (10% vs. 4%).
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CHILD CARE AND FAMILIES WITH CHILDREN 82
% said they have had concerns related to child Of respondents with children under the age of 18 in the household, care and education during the pandemic. When asked about these concerns, over half said they were concerned about helping with distanced learning (55%) and juggling work and children’s needs (53%).
Q. Since March 1, 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, what child care issues or concerns have members of your household had? Select all that apply Helping With Distanced Learning
55%
Juggling Work and Child Needs
53%
Health Risk for Child/Household
35%
Technology Issues
25%
Cost
19%
Finding Provider With Sufficient Hours
18%
Care Not Available When Needed
16%
Respondents with children below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents with children above the ALICE Threshold to say that they were concerned about health risks for children or other household members (39% vs. 32%) and the cost of care (23% vs. 15%). Respondents with children above the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely to say that they were concerned about helping children with distanced learning (58% vs. 50%) and juggling work and children’s needs (56% vs. 47%). Employment impacts were of particular concern. In a separate question, 42% of respondents with children said that child care issues impacted household members’ ability to work during the pandemic: 18% said one or more household members was working reduced hours due to child care issues (including daycare and after-school care), and 7% said one or more household members had quit a job to care for a child/children since the beginning of the pandemic. Additionally, 22% said household members’ work had been impacted in other ways not listed in the survey question, including transportation issues, increased household expenses (like food) due to children being home from school/child care, and mental health issues in parents and children. Respondents with children below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents with children above the ALICE Threshold to say that a household member was working reduced hours (21% vs. 14%) or had quit a job (12% vs. 2%) due to child care issues since the beginning of the pandemic.
“
The unexpected childcare cost is really hard on our family. The choice we have to make is to not save. This will impact our future...it is a slippery slope to not being financially secure all due to unexpected childcare costs.
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Beyond child care, three factors — housing issues, food access, and paying off debts — were of particular concern for respondents with children. Thirty-one percent were concerned about paying housing expenses, significantly higher than the 18% of households without children. These concerns were even greater for households with children living below the ALICE Threshold: 52% of households with children below the ALICE Threshold were concerned about paying housing expenses, four times higher than those above the ALICE Threshold (at 13%). A similar significant trend was found for concerns about providing enough food for the household and for concerns about paying off debts, as shown in the table below. In each case, the largest differences were between households with children above and below the ALICE Threshold.
HOUSEHOLDS
PAYING HOUSING EXPENSES
PROVIDING ENOUGH FOOD FOR THE HOUSEHOLD
PAYING OFF DEBTS
With Children, Below ALICE Threshold
52%
44%
42%
With Children, All
31%
23%
30%
Without Children, All
18%
9%
22%
With Children, Above ALICE Threshold
13%
7%
21%
The pandemic has put a strain on households both with young children (0-5) and with school-age children (6-17). However, their biggest child care concerns differ. Households with older children were significantly more likely than households with young children to be concerned about helping children with distanced learning (60% vs. 45%) and internet and device access issues (27% vs. 18%). Households with younger children were significantly more likely to be concerned about COVID-19 health risks for children and household members (43% vs. 30%), the cost of care (32% vs. 11%), finding a provider/school with sufficient hours (29% vs. 13%), and the reliability/availability of care (27% vs. 11%). In addition, compared to respondents without children, respondents with children were… • Significantly more likely to be concerned about mental health issues like depression or anxiety (52% vs. 44%). • Significantly more likely to say that employment for one or more household members was impacted by the pandemic (46% vs. 39%), and to say that one or more household members lost a job (17% vs. 10%) or changed jobs (14% vs. 9%) during the pandemic. • Significantly more likely to report that their household relied on hourly work (58% vs. 46%), and these hourly workers were significantly more likely to report that they were working fewer hours due to the pandemic. • Significantly more likely to say that they were looking for work at the time of the survey (24% vs. 18%). • Significantly less likely to say that they had a bank account (88% vs. 92%) or had a 401(k), IRA, or other investment (64% vs. 72%), and significantly more likely to say that they owned all or part of a business (13% vs. 9%). • Significantly more likely to say that they would benefit from assistance paying rent/mortgage (19% vs. 11%), technology to assist with remote work/school (19% vs. 9%), help providing food for the household (16% vs. 5%), access to affordable care for a child, senior, or person with a disability (14% vs. 2%), and access to reliable transportation (4% vs. 1%). • Significantly more likely to have taken money out of a savings account (32% vs. 27%), increased a balance on a credit card (25% vs. 17%), applied for unemployment (18% vs. 14%), sold belongings for cash (16% vs. 9%), borrowed from family or friends (15% vs. 7%), received food from a food pantry or food bank (13% vs. 3%), or taken out a personal loan or car loan (9% vs. 6%) to meet needs during the pandemic. • Significantly more likely to say that they used mental health services (21% vs. 16%), energy/utility assistance programs (7% vs. 2%), jobseeker support programs (6% vs. 3%), or rental or mortgage assistance programs (5% vs. 1%).
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ACTIONS TAKEN TO MEET NEEDS When asked what their household was doing to get by during the pandemic, about one third of respondents said they had taken money out of a savings account (31%). The next most common actions were increasing a balance on a credit card (23%) and applying for unemployment (17%). The top ten actions are included in the figure below.
Q. Which of these actions have you or members of your household taken to meet your needs since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any? Select all that apply Taken Money Out of Savings
31%
Increased Credit Card Balance
23%
Applied for Unemployment
17%
Sold Belongings for Cash
14%
Found New Way to Make Money
14%
Borrowed from Family or Friends
12%
Taken Money Out of Retirement
10%
Received Food From Food Pantry/Food Bank
10%
Applied For Government Assistance Program
9%
Taken Out a Personal Loan or Car Loan
8%
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they had taken money out of savings (42% vs. 24%), increased a credit card balance (30% vs. 18%), applied for unemployment (26% vs. 11%), borrowed from family/friends (24% vs. 5%), sold belongings for cash (23% vs. 9%), received food from a food bank and/or food pantry (23% vs. 2%), applied for a government assistance program (22% vs. 1%), found a new way to make money (19% vs. 10%), taken money out of a retirement account (14% vs.8 %), or taken out a personal loan or auto loan (12% vs. 5%). The options available to respondent households in weathering this crisis depended greatly on existing household assets. In addition to the employment income mentioned in the previous section, 90% of respondents said they had a bank account; 67% said they had a 401(k), IRA, or other investment; 65% said they owned a home with a mortgage; 53% reported they owned a vehicle with no auto loan; 53% said they owned a vehicle with a loan; 16% reported they owned a home with no mortgage, and 12% said they owned all or some of a business. Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly less likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they owned a vehicle (85% vs. 94%), had a bank account (82% vs. 94%), owned their home (64% vs. 89%), or had a 401(k), IRA, or other investment (42% vs. 80%).
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Respondents also shared which resources they have used to help their household during the pandemic. Of the 707 respondents who reported using a resource, the most-used resource was mental health services and supports (counseling, peer support, helpline), which were used by 65% of these respondents. In addition, 16% reported using a job seeker support program; 16% reported using an energy/utility assistance program; 12% reported using a rental or mortgage assistance program; 10% used funds that helped cover the cost of child care, after-school care, or virtual learning; 8% used “Smart2Start” to find and enroll in preschool, after-school care, or a virtual learning center; 7% enrolled in a community college training program; and 5% said they called “211,” a resource and referral hotline. Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they used mental health services and supports (23% vs. 17%), an energy/utility assistance program (12% vs. 1%), a jobseeker support program (8% vs. 3%), a rental or mortgage assistance program (7% vs. 2%), funds to cover cost of care/education (6% vs. 1%), the Smart2Start program (5% vs. 1%), or to have called “211” (3% vs.1 %).
“
Every time I've applied to receive help from the government, like food stamps, heating help, Medicaid, etc. I was told I "made too much." Even though I lost my job due to COVID, I didn't receive the extra unemployment that everyone else received, and when I got a new job, I took a huge pay cut. There's no way I made/make "too much" to receive help. My family and I are struggling.
”
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RESOURCES NEEDED Respondents were also asked what resources would be helpful in getting through this difficult time, and the top answer was deferred payment for debt, like credit card bills or student loans (25%), followed by assistance with rent/mortgage payments (17%).
Q. What resources would be helpful for meeting your household needs during the pandemic? Select all that apply
Deferred Payment for Debt
25%
Assistance With Rent/Mortgage
17%
Technology for Remote Work/School
16%
Help Providing Food for the Household
12%
Access to Affordable Care (Child, Senior, or Person With Disability)
10%
Health Insurance Coverage
9%
Help with COVID-19 Health Costs
9%
Assistance Finding a New Job
7%
Access to Reliable Transportation
3%
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that deferred payment for debt (31% vs. 20%), assistance with rent/mortgage payments (31% vs. 8%), help providing food for the household (27% vs. 3%), technology to assist with remote work or school (20% vs. 13%), access to affordable care for a child, senior, or person with a disability (16% vs. 6%), health insurance coverage (13% vs. 6%), assistance finding a new job (11% vs. 5%), and access to reliable transportation (7% vs. 1%) would be helpful for meeting household needs during the pandemic. Respondents from households where one or more members were looking for work were asked which resources would be helpful for securing employment. Just over one in three of these respondents (38%) said that they would benefit from help finding job opportunities, followed by skills training or certifications (27%), child care resources/support (19%), other basic needs support (19%), access to unemployment or other public benefits (18%), help creating or updating a resume (17%), access to health care (16%), interviewing practice (14%), other financial support related to work like assistance purchasing uniforms, tools, or equipment (12%), and elder care/caregiving support (6%). Among those looking for work, respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that they would benefit from basic needs support (29% vs. 8%), access to unemployment or other public benefits (26% vs. 8%), financial support related to work like assistance purchasing uniforms, tools, or equipment (19% vs 4%), and elder care/caregiving support (9% vs. 3%).
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HOUSEHOLD HEALTH STATUS Almost two out of five respondents (39%) said that someone in their household had a serious health issue or disability.
Q. Do you or anyone in your household have a serious health issue or disability? Select all that apply
Chronic Health Issue (e.g., Diabetes, Heart Condition)
27%
Other Health Issue/Disability
8%
Physical Disability
7%
Mental Disability
7%
Respondents below the ALICE Threshold were significantly more likely than respondents above the ALICE Threshold to say that someone in their household had a serious health issue or disability (46% vs. 33%). Household concerns and impacts of the pandemic differed by health status. Compared to respondents from households without any health issues, respondents from households in which one or more people had a serious health issue or disability were… • Significantly more likely to be concerned about household members getting COVID-19 (81% vs. 72%) and to say that they were worried about mental health issues like depression or anxiety (53% vs. 47%), non-COVID-19 related medical issues (47% vs. 13%), providing enough food for the household (36% vs. 13%), paying housing expenses (34% vs. 21%), and paying off debts (33% vs. 23%). • Significantly more likely to be concerned about household members having a reduction in hours or wages (26% vs. 21%) or losing a job due to the pandemic (21% vs. 15%), and for good reason — they were also significantly more likely to report that one or more household members had, in fact, lost a job during the pandemic (18% vs. 12%) • Significantly more likely to report that someone in their household was actively looking for work at the time of the survey (26% vs. 19%). Job seekers from households with health issues were also significantly more likely to say that they faced barriers to securing employment that included not being able to find a job that pays enough (52% vs. 40%), fear of catching COVID-19 (42% vs. 24%), and existing health issues (25% vs. 6%).
“
Health issues set us back and cleared out our savings. Before COVID we were barely making ends meet, but we were. We worked hard all our life and managed to pay our bills and meet our needs without any help, but COVID made it impossible to earn enough and it's a shame. We are losing everything we worked so hard to have.
”
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CALL TO ACTION FROM UNITED WAY OF ROANOKE VALLEY The findings of this regional COVID-19 Impact Survey provide a powerful tool to inform planning and strategic investments as part of the community’s recovery efforts from the pandemic. Over the last year, cross-sector partners came together to support our community through a most challenging time, resulting in countless instances of innovative, responsive, and strategic action when families needed it the most. While the extent and types of needs identified by the survey may vary based on household income, data show that we must address not only longstanding needs such as housing, food, and health care, but those additional needs that have been exacerbated by the pandemic. Mental health care, child care, deferred debt payments, and other forms of financial assistance to stabilize household income have all been identified as helpful additional resources. Yet finding and navigating eligibility for these resources is often a significant challenge. We must all work together to develop better systems of referral and care coordination that facilitate collaboration across organizations and sectors, capture evolving household needs, and maintain a client-centered, trauma-informed approach in the delivery of those supports. This all-hands-on-deck approach is necessary for recovery efforts to be effective and to have a sustained impact. The regional partners listed on this report recognize the importance of collective, data-driven action to the recovery and resilience of our residents and businesses. Many have expressed their commitment to listen and understand the realtime needs of households in the area, and to take these findings into consideration as important decisions are made within their respective organizations and networks. As the lead partner in this report, United Way of Roanoke Valley has made a commitment to address the ongoing needs of households in its investment decisions for the upcoming year, and to pursue community partnerships to further larger-scale strategies. We encourage those reading this report to do the same. Let us create the kind of transformative alignment that maximizes resources, taps into the strengths and assets within our region, and focuses our efforts to lift up families and our entire community towards healing, recovery, and resilience. Join the movement. Use your voice, lend your muscle, and LIVE UNITED.
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THIS REGIONAL SURVEY PROJECT WAS CONDUCTED BY: United Way of Roanoke Valley and the following regional community partners: Alleghany County
Franklin County Public Schools
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., Beta Chi Omega Chapter
Goodwill Industries of the Valleys
Botetourt County Public Schools
Junior League of Roanoke Valley
Botetourt County Social Services
Latinas Network – Roanoke and New River Valley
Carilion Clinic
Macaroni Kid Roanoke
City of Roanoke
Marsh & McLennan
City of Roanoke Department of Social Services
New Horizons Healthcare
Community Foundation Serving Southwest Virginia Craig County Public Schools FarmBurguesa Feeding Southwest Virginia Franklin County Franklin County Department of Social Services
Nuestro Comercio Latino Roanoke RGC Resources, Inc./Roanoke Gas Company Roanoke City Public Schools Roanoke County
Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Roanoke Regional Partnership Roanoke Valley Alleghany Regional Commission Salem City Public Schools Salem-Roanoke County Chamber of Commerce Sisters of Change Total Action for Progress Town of Vinton Virginia Department of Health – Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts
Roanoke County – Salem Department of Social Services
Western Virginia Workforce Development Board/ VA Career Works – Blue Ridge Region
Roanoke County Public Schools
Western Virginia Water Authority
Special Thanks We are grateful to our sponsors, Marsh & McLennan Agency, Virginia Career Works, and FarmBurguesa.
About United For ALICE United For ALICE is a driver of innovation, shining a light on the challenges ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households face and finding collaborative solutions. Through a standardized methodology that assesses the cost of living in every county, this project provides a comprehensive measure of financial hardship across the U.S. Equipped with this data, ALICE partners convene, advocate, and innovate in their local communities to highlight the issues faced by ALICE households and to generate solutions that promote financial stability. This grassroots movement represents United Ways, corporations, nonprofits, and foundations in Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawai‘i, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin. Learn more at UnitedForALICE.org. For more information about these survey results or to be connected to your local United Way, please contact info@uwrv.org or call 540-777-4200.
COVID-19 SURVEY REPORT | SPRING 2021
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ROANOKE VALLEY
325 Campbell Avenue, SW Roanoke, VA 24016 Tel: 540.777.4200 www.uwrv.org @uwrvALICE
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