Dear Friends,
Every Harris County resident should have an affordable home, food on the table, and enough to make ends meet. Yet far too many residents struggle every day to cover rent, groceries, childcare, and other everyday life expenses. Many work long hours at multiple jobs, yet still come up short when bills are due.
Instead of focusing on urgent needs that Texans want addressed, the Texas Senate this week attacked Harris County and the investments we’ve made to support working families. Meanwhile, in Harris County, our community has advocated for much-needed support for those in need to weather these hard financial times.
We continue to fight for flexible financial assistance and renew our commitment to uplifting families with the support that they need through our historic funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) from the Biden and Harris Administration. Harris County and Commissioners Count have used these funds in a way that has been transparent, accountable, and have offered legitimate programs and services to our community. I am proud of the programs we’ve funded through ARPA, including our flexible financial assistance program.
Flexible financial assistance programs are efficient, cost effective, and life changing for participating families. A growing body of research shows that recipients use money from these programs on basic needs like housing and food. Among the many positive outcomes, we continue to see increased in housing stability, food security, and an overall improved wellbeing for the participants. In Austin, participants found their housing security improved substantially thanks to the program. We know these programs work.
Sincerely,
Rodney Ellis