Dear Friends,
The fight isn’t over, but we’ve cleared a major hurdle. Despite Attorney General Ken Paxton’s latest attempt to shut down our efforts to provide relief to struggling families, a judge has ruled that we can continue for now to operate the Harris County Community Prosperity Program, which provides $500 in monthly financial assistance to families in need. While this is a crucial win for 1,850 local families, we expect more legal challenges ahead as state leaders persist in trying to dismantle this vital support.
We won’t back down.
The Community Prosperity Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act, is designed to help cover essentials like rent, utilities, and groceries. Similar programs nationwide have proven to reduce food and housing insecurity, improve health, foster economic mobility, and strengthen families.
Unfortunately, Paxton’s repeated attempts to block this program are part of a broader pattern in Texas. Despite being one of the ten poorest states, Texas has a history of rejecting billions in federal funds that could alleviate poverty, expand healthcare, and support vulnerable residents. Blocking this program mirrors the state’s refusal to expand Medicaid and its decision to forgo $350 million in federal funding meant to feed children over the summer when they lose access to school meals.
In Harris County, we know that programs like the Community Prosperity Program aren’t just the right thing to do; they are essential to our community’s strength and resilience. Despite our economic growth, poverty rates remain high, particularly in Black and Brown communities that have faced decades of systemic barriers. Nearly 7% of our workforce is considered “working poor,” and 1 in 5 children in Harris County grows up in poverty. Families shouldn’t have to choose between keeping the lights on or paying for groceries.
Recent findings from Rice University’s Kinder Institute’s Houston Area Survey show that 63% of residents believe too little is being done to support families in poverty. The Community Prosperity Program aligns with our broader Harris Prospers plan, creating pathways to good jobs, fair opportunities, and foundational stability.
This program’s potential is evident in stories like Taniquewa Brewster’s, who benefited from a similar program in Austin. The support allowed her to train as a notary, secure a better-paying job, and spend more time with her children. We hope to see similar transformations here in Harris County.
I remain committed to fighting for economic stability and meaningful resources for our residents. Harris County and Texas deserve better, and I’ll keep pushing for programs that provide opportunity, stability, and hope for a better future.
Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis