A assured earnings program that aimed to supply month-to-month money help to a few of Harris County’s most weak households has been completely scrapped following a vote by the Harris County Commissioners Court docket.
The transfer comes after a protracted authorized battle with Texas Lawyer Common Ken Paxton, who repeatedly challenged the initiative’s legality.
Commissioners voted 3-1 to reallocate this system’s funds to different social service efforts, together with rental help and homelessness initiatives. The choice marks the tip of the Uplift Harris program—later renamed the Neighborhood Prosperity Program—which might have supplied $500 month-to-month funds for 18 months to residents dwelling within the 10 Harris County ZIP codes with the very best poverty charges.
“That $500 a month wouldn’t have made anybody wealthy, however it might have made a distinction,” mentioned Houston resident Aaliyah Monroe, a single mom of two who hoped to qualify for this system. “The state stepped in and shut it down not as a result of it was failing, however as a result of they didn’t like what it stood for: dignity, stability and equity.”
A program reduce quick
Harris County Choose Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis championed the initiative to assist low-income households struggling to afford fundamental requirements, together with meals, housing, childcare and medicine.
“This was about serving to folks survive—people who find themselves working laborious and nonetheless not making sufficient,” Ellis mentioned. “Sadly, in Texas, Lawyer Common Paxton misled the general public and politicized this program.”
Paxton first sued Harris County in April 2024, arguing that utilizing public funds for direct money funds violated the Texas Structure. After the county revised this system to handle these considerations, Paxton filed a second lawsuit in September. The authorized uncertainty finally made this system’s implementation unworkable.
Whereas Ellis and different supporters insisted the initiative was legally sound and morally crucial, critics, together with state Republican leaders, labeled it “lottery socialism” and accused native officers of misusing taxpayer funds.
Texas Sen. Paul Bettencourt (R-Houston) launched laws earlier this 12 months that may have prohibited any state or native authorities from funding or working a assured earnings program. Though the invoice did not move, the lawsuits had already stalled this system’s rollout.
Funding redirected
With the authorized battles unresolved and the political stress mounting, the Harris County Commissioners Court docket voted this week to redirect the $20.5 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding that was earmarked for this system.
Ellis expressed disappointment however emphasised the county’s continued dedication to addressing poverty in different methods.
“Whereas extremists on the state degree proceed to move laws that perpetuates poverty, Harris County will proceed to battle for working folks, households, and a brighter future for our residents,” Ellis mentioned.
The newly redirected funds will assist rental help and providers for people experiencing homelessness, important points in a county the place rising housing prices proceed to burden low-income residents.
Many group advocates say the demise of this system represents a missed alternative.
“This was a lifeline for households in traditionally underserved neighborhoods—households who are sometimes ignored by the system,” mentioned Erica Bailey, a group organizer in Northeast Houston. “As a substitute of uplifting them, we’ve simply seen them pushed additional to the margins.”
Nonetheless, county officers are urging residents to remain engaged and hopeful.
“This battle will not be over,” Hidalgo mentioned in an announcement. “We’ll maintain working to create techniques that work for everybody, not simply these with energy.”
With this system formally ending, the main target now shifts to how the redirected funds shall be used and whether or not Harris County leaders will revisit assured earnings or comparable applications.
