Harris County’s new pilot program honors the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Houston – Harris County Public Health (HCPH) has received over 48,000 applications during the first three days of the Uplift Harris Guaranteed Income Pilot program application window.
As we honor the legacy of civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. today, HCPH takes pride in representing his values, fueled by the enthusiastic response from our community for Uplift Harris.
Dr. King was an outspoken advocate for guaranteed income programs. In 1967, he wrote, “The solution to poverty is to abolish it directly by a now widely discussed measure: the guaranteed income […] The dignity of the individual will flourish when the decisions concerning his life are in his own hands, when he has the assurance that his income is stable and certain, and when he knows that he has the means to seek self-improvement.”
Uplift Harris began accepting applications Friday, Jan. 12; community members can still apply through Friday, Feb. 2, at 11:59 p.m.
“Dr. King’s visionary call for economic justice, fair housing, and anti-poverty programs marked a significant turning point in the civil rights movement,” says Harris County Precinct 1 Commissioner Rodney Ellis. “I can think of no better way to build on and honor Dr. King’s legacy than to take decisive action, recognizing the simplest and most effective solution to poverty is to eliminate it. In Harris County, we will continue to fight to ensure every family has access to resources and the opportunities they need to thrive.”
Dr. King’s vision of a more just America for all people, regardless of race, is reflected in programs like Uplift Harris. He recognized the need to support people so they may pull themselves out of poverty and become self-sufficient.
“Let us all take a moment today to reflect on the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, and the profound changes he brought forward that make the United States more equitable as a result. We should all strive to embody the principles that Dr. King championed and work together toward a more just and inclusive society,” says HCPH Executive Director Barbie Robinson. “This pilot program is a shining example of those ideals.”
Eligible community members are encouraged to apply within the application period. Applications will not be evaluated on a first-come-first-serve basis. Uplift Harris also provides in-person assistance at different locations in the participating ZIP codes. To learn more about application assistance in your area, click here for a list of our participating community hubs and application events.
To apply to the program and for additional information, please visit Uplift.HarrisCountyTX.gov. The website is available in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese, and French. Community members can call our Uplift Harris Call Center at (832) 927-6060 to report any application difficulties or learn more about the program.
