New Recovery Assistance Funds!
Only 2 Weeks to Apply! Funds Not Restricted to Rent.
The application window opens TODAY for Harris County Recovery Assistance, a new $30 million relief fund created to help families still struggling with the pandemic’s economic effects.
Applications can be accepted for TWO WEEKS only, through Wednesday, August 11.
Sourced by funding from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), the program will provide 20,000 families with a one-time payment of $1,500 which can cover any type of urgent expense, such as housing, groceries, utilities, medical bills, etc.
Unlike the Houston-Harris County rental relief program still in operation, the money goes directly to applicants (not to landlords), but the two programs are not mutually exclusive, so people who have applied for the rental relief fund (whether or not they were approved) are encouraged to apply for this program as well.
The program is not first-come/first-served; instead, it prioritizes applicants in the lowest income bracket, so people need not worry if they apply late in the application period.
Qualifying applicants may live anywhere within Harris County and must be at least 18 years old. Applicants must also self-certify that they have experienced pandemic-related economic hardship, and their income cannot exceed the maximum financial threshold (a member of the household must receive public assistance, or the total household income must be less than 60% of the HUD Area Median Family Income). Also, due to federal requirements, at least one adult member of the household must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident, refugee, or other qualified noncitizen.
WHEN: TODAY, Wednesday, July 28, through Wednesday, August 11
WHERE: FAQs, eligibility requirements, additional resources, and information on the
navigator agencies appointed to help people apply are at HarrisCountyRelief.org.
The call center is open for questions Monday–Friday 9 am–6 pm, Saturday 10 am-2 pm, at 832-345-6289, but applications must be submitted online.
Applicants are encouraged to check their spam folder and to promptly respond to
calls/texts about assistance about the program, to ensure they do not miss out on
the opportunity for aid.