The guaranteed income pilot has been temporarily thwarted following a lawsuit brought against Harris County.
The Harris County Uplift guaranteed income pilot, aimed at providing financial assistance to low-income families in Houston, has been blocked by the Texas Supreme Court due to concerns over its constitutionality.
The program intended to provide 1,928 selected families with $500 monthly for 18 months, totaling $9,000, to combat generational poverty, income volatility, and housing instability.
The state of Texas filed a lawsuit against Harris County, citing Article III of the Texas Constitution, which prohibits lending credit or granting public money to individuals or corporations.
The court ruled in favor of the state, stating that the program’s potential violation of the Texas Constitution cannot be undone if payments were to commence during the appeal process, thereby halting the program’s implementation.
