This move makes Harris County the first county in the state to offer experimental financial assistance through the COVID stimulus American Rescue Plan Act.
Harris County Commissioners in Texas have given the green light to a pilot program that will provide a monthly stipend to hundreds of low-income families
The program, known as UPLIFT Harris, aims to support 1,500 households in Harris County by randomly selecting recipients from 10 zip codes with persistent generational poverty. The selected families will receive $500 per month. To be eligible, recipients must have an income below 200% of the federal poverty line, which is approximately $60,000 for a family of four or $29,000 for an individual.
The approval of the program was met with party-line voting, with Commissioner Tom Ramsey being the sole holdout. Supporters of the program, including Harris County Commissioner Rodney Ellis, believe that providing financial resources to families in need can lead to improvements in their physical and mental health, increased quality time with children, and a greater sense of self-determination.
Some residents in the Gulfton neighborhood, where some of the funds will be allocated, express mixed opinions about the program
Malcolm Lacy, who enjoys shooting basketball at Burnett-Bayland Park, believes that the stipend can be saved or used for essential expenses like groceries, gas, or bill payments. On the other hand, Dario Arroyo, an immigrant from Mexico, worries that the program may discourage people from seeking employment and hinder their motivation to pursue a better life.
The approved vote authorizes the development of a comprehensive plan for managing and distributing the funds, as well as establishing criteria for identifying the 1,500 recipients. If all goes according to plan, the first round of monthly stipends could be disbursed as early as this autumn.
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