Harris County Ends Uplift Harris, Redirects $20M to Housing, Food Programs

Harris County has officially ended the Uplift Harris guaranteed income program, which aimed to provide $500 monthly payments for 18 months to nearly 2,000 low-income families, after legal challenges from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and legislation prohibiting such programs. Despite being fully funded and participants selected, none received payments due to the lawsuit and ensuing court rulings. County commissioners voted to reallocate nearly $20 million originally earmarked for Uplift Harris to other initiatives addressing rental assistance, homelessness, and food insecurity, aiming to directly tackle the main challenges faced by residents. The decision drew criticism from program advocates and recipients who argued the program was a needed support for struggling families and was shut down for political reasons. Meanwhile, some officials, including Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey and Senator Paul Bettencourt, criticized the program as inefficient and an improper use of taxpayer money. Harris County leaders emphasized their commitment to redirecting funds to programs that more immediately address housing and basic needs, despite ongoing frustrations from affected families and advocates.