HOUSTON – Thousands of families in Harris County will be getting some much-needed financial assistance thanks to a new relief funds approved by the Commissioners Court Tuesday.
According to a news release, the Harris County COVID-19 Relief Fund will set aside $30 million to give to up to 25,000 families across Harris County. It’s money that can be used to pay for utilities, rent, food, doctor bills, prescription drugs, anything the neediest of our neighbors need to pay.
“The Coronavirus pandemic has created both a health and a financial crisis in our region,” Commissioner Rodney Ellis said. “Our communities are hurting. And it is our duty as public servants to make sure that our most vulnerable residents, who were already living paycheck to paycheck, do not lose everything in the midst of this crisis.”
The funds will be distributed throughout the community with $1,200 going to families of four and $1,500 for families of five or more, according to the release.
According to the release, the funds will go to communities that are struggling the most, such as households that are below 60% of the average income for the area, domestic violence victims, young people who aged out of foster care and people in homeless shelters.
The fund will be managed by the Greater Houston Community Foundation, which will be in charge of making sure the funds reach the right people, according to the release.
The money will be dispersed in two stages. The first $15 million will be distributed by non-profits and charities that work with the poor. The second will be made available to those who apply for the money by phone or over the internet.
Just how to apply for that money has not been announced yet. KPRC 2 will stay on top of this important story and let you know when and how to apply for the $30 million program as soon as the county makes that information public.
