HOUSTON – There’s nothing wrong with asking for help. And a little more than two months after applications for a pilot program to help low-income households in Harris County opened, some folks who needed that help were finally going to have their prayers answered. But what about the more than 80,000 who did not qualify for the grant?
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MORE: Pilot program ‘Uplift Harris’ notifying recipients of $500 monthly grant
Back in 2023, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and Commissioner Rodney Ellis introduced the $20.5 million investment program called Uplift Harris. The idea was to help struggling families through a $ 500-a-month grant to support household needs.
Families were able to begin applying for the program mid-January with the disclosure that applicants must be 18 or older, have a household income at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, and live in one of 10 zip coded areas that include Acres Homes, Sunnyside, and Galena Park. The recipients who will qualify for the $500 monthly grant were notified in mid-March.
The Director of the Office of Planning and Innovation at Harris County Public Health, Brandon Maddox, said 82,500 people applied for 1,928 spots. They were selected at random and recipients can use the monthly payments to cover essential needs such as rent, groceries, transportation, housing, utilities, health care, and other necessities.
“We fully believe these people in Harris County will use the funds for ways that are going to be impactful to them,” Maddox said. “We see a lot of programs that we looked at in determining how to implement our program. For the most part, they spent their fund on housing, food, rent, and utilities, the basic cost of living that we know are increasing year-over-year and becoming harder for individuals to afford. The only restriction that we have and will be part of the enrollment process, is ensuring the funds are used for legal means.”
However, this does not mean help for Houstonians, who did not qualify for the program, is unavailable.
There are still dozens of nonprofits Houstonians and Harris County residents in need can reach out to based on needs or personal preferences. Here’s a list of just some organizations that may be able to help you or someone you know get the assistance and support needed.
Children and Families
Community Assistance
Food Assistance
- United Way of Greater Houston - (includes partners)
Women’s Assistance
Men’s Assistance
Disabilities
Homelessness
LGBTQIA+
Mental Health
- Code Green Campaign: For First Responders
Military
Pets & Animals
Religion
Continue to check back on this story as this list will continue to be updated with more nonprofit organizations.
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Learn more about Uplift Harris by clicking here.