Given the cost of living today; a family needs to earn at least 2.5 times the federal poverty level to be considered financially stable in most communities.  United Way will advocate for policies to enable the nation's lower-income families and individuals to increase income, build savings, and grow assets, so that this population may enjoy not only decreased debt and sustained income, but also the ability to work towards attaining stable housing, post-secondary education or workforce training, entrepreneurship, or retirement.  United Way of America will work to support state and local United Way public policy efforts that serve to advance this goal.