Philadelphia boasts numbers today that a few years ago seemed unattainable: unemployment at 30-year lows, rising median incomes and a declining poverty rate. However, beneath the surface of macroeconomic indicators, the day-to-day reality of many families tells another story. A story of daily struggle, forced creativity and relentless scrabbling to survive economic instability.

A recent study titled "Understanding Economic Stability and Economic Mobility in Philadelphia" was released by the Philadelphia Federal Reserve in collaboration with United For ALICE. The paper was authored by Ashley Anglin, Stephanie Hoopes, Ashley Putnam, Theresa Singleton, and Bryan A. Stuart.

The study reveals the stresses experienced by Philadelphia households: nearly half of the families fall below the ALICE threshold - a measure that goes beyond the traditional poverty line and more accurately reflects the real cost of living.

In Philadelphia, according to this study, the ALICE line means earning at least $29,000 annually for a single adult or $92,200 for a family of four. Falling short of that figure means a routine where every dollar counts and every expense becomes a concern.

Scrounging as a way of life

“So actually, you’re stuck between your job and always, in your mind, is how to pay your bills. So you get involved in a side job. You’re always thinking in your mind, oh my gosh, can I just come back to my job [alone]? That’s not enough; let’s try to find something with the side job. And that’s ridiculous; that’s not supposed to happen," said a participant in the study's focus groups. This sentence sums up the sentiment of many. The report reveals that 87% of households below ALICE experienced drastic changes in income in just six months. What goes in today may be gone tomorrow.

Workers combine temporary jobs, informal jobs and side hustles such as home deliveries, product sales or freelance services. Not for fun, but out of necessity: formal work is often not enough.

This economy of hustling is not only physically exhausting. It also impacts the mental health and emotional stability of families. Feeling that the daily effort does not pay off undermines motivation and feeds uncertainty.

Stability, that elusive dream

The report highlights one clear conclusion: before thinking about economic mobility - that longed-for "ladder to a better life" - Philadelphia families need something more basic: stability.

Paying all bills at the end of the month, accessing secure housing, or being able to plan with some certainty are goals that still seem far off. Among respondents below ALICE:
- 59% failed to meet all of their monthly bills.
- 13% did not have access to stable housing during the study period.

Challenges are compounded by factors that limit access to better job opportunities: caregiving, health problems, and lack of reliable transportation are among the most frequent obstacles.

Government assistance: insufficient relief

Government assistance programs, such as SNAP or Medicaid, help mitigate the burden, but fall far short of solving it. Participants reported bureaucratic hurdles, confusing rules and the dreaded "benefit cliffs" - those times when a small increase in income results in the loss of essential assistance.

“Our main source of income is SSI. And when the COLA [Cost of Living Adjustment] benefits came through, almost immediately, I found a cut in SNAP. As if they were just waiting and saying, ‘OK, well, SSI gave you X amount; we’re taking this much of it back.’ Which amounted to about a 30 percent cut,” explained one of the citizens consulted in the study.

The risk of being caught in that trap causes some people to even turn down promotions or better paying jobs, for fear of losing the benefits they need to survive.

Why not leave Philadelphia?

The question seems obvious: if life is so difficult, why not move somewhere else? The answers are complex and deeply human. Philadelphia has a relatively low cost of living compared to other U.S. cities, but there is also family attachment, a support network, and the fear that elsewhere the situation may be even worse.

“It is hard to leave where you’re from … it’s a little bit harder, because if you have a family, then you’re looking at moving away from your support system, as well. So you have to take all of those things into consideration,” commented another respondent.

What families are asking for

When asked what would be most useful to them right now, the answer was resounding: a better job. Closely followed by housing assistance and public benefits.

They are not asking for handouts. They are asking for decent conditions that will allow them to get out of the race of perpetual hustling.

“Economic stability means, for me, that I have the ability to pay all my bills, go to the supermarket, make sure everything is fine with my children, and still have a little bit to save for, like, repairs in the future or anything like that.” + General tone across focus groups: constant stress about covering bills and navigating multiple jobs," said one of the participants.

An opportunity to act

This study offers a valuable roadmap for policymakers and community leaders: economic mobility begins with stability. Without firm ground underfoot, no stairway to progress will be sustainable.

For the Latino community in Philadelphia - which is also reflected in this picture - the call is clear: demand structural solutions that not only defuse the crisis of the month, but build a future where scrounging is no longer the only possible strategy.