A new pilot program called"Uplift Harris" has been announced today to assist Harris Country residents.
Some excellent news for residents of Harris County today, with Harris County officials announcing a new program to assist low-income residents and address poverty in the region.
The program would provide low-income families $500 a month of guaranteed income for up to eighteen months. The federal American Rescue Plan Act will finance the amount as part of a $20.5 million program operated by the Harris County Public Health Department.
If approved by Harris County Commissioners tomorrow, it would be the first county in Texas to test the program, and if successful, it would be rolled out to other counties in Texas. The program would commence in September.
"Despite our region's vast prosperity in Harris County, we also face rampant income inequality. Decades of neglect, inequality, and discrimination have financially destabilized generations of Harris County families, perpetuated poverty and created unfair barriers to prosperity." Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis.
The extra funds are much needed for residents struggling to pay their bills.
According to "the 2022 Census Bureau statistics, over 16 percent of Harris County...are living under the poverty line."
"Recipients will be selected from the ten most impoverished ZIP codes throughout the county, which make an annual median income of $35,000. The recipients would have full discretion to spend the funds on whatever they or their family need most. The extra money can mean not having to choose between being hungry or sitting in the dark. It can mean a difference to a single mother, to a struggling student; the goal is to empower recipients to spend the funds on what their most pressing needs are." Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo
Eligible zip codes
- Forest Acres
- Acres Homes
- South Park
- East Six Jensen
- Sunnyside
- Northgate
- Greater Fifth Ward
- Settegast
- Gulfton
- Galena Park
I will update readers with more information on the program as it comes to hand.
Your thoughts
Are you glad to see this new program launch? Would you like to see more financial assistance offered to Harris County residents?
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