OUR WORK IN ECONOMIC STABILITY We all win when families are stable and can support themselves
Why focus on Economic Stability?
The cost of living in Chattanooga has increased by almost 27% over the last five years, while median income has increased only 10%
More than 11,000 Chattanoogans work in jobs that pay low wages and do not provide basic health and retirement benefits
The unemployment rate in Hamilton is 9%. In some rural and inner-city areas, unemployment has reached 25%.
Nearly 13% of Hamilton County residents receive food stamps.
What we're doing
United Way is working with other community partners to help people and families Build Stable Lives so that they do not have to continually rely on community services or their neighbors for help. We believe that people are capable and willing to help themselves if given the chance to do so.
Our goals
Ensure that more individuals and families:
live in affordable, stable housing
have training and education needed to get and keep living-wage employment
have enough emergency supports in place to fulfill their basic needs
are socially and emotionally stable
Our impact
More than 26,000 people were able to get transportation services to access employment and job-training opportunities.
More than 3,100 people received one-on-one education to help them manage their budgets and maintain financial stability.
Nearly 300 families were provided furniture through Chattanooga Furniture Bank to create a comfortable home after fire, homelessness, or other crises.
More than 150 people found meaningful work through United Way funded supportive employment programs.
89% of women that received services because of domestic violence are living safely and independently in their own homes.
Last year 2-1-1 answered more than 40,000 calls, of which more than 60% of the identified needs were for food and utility assistance.
