TexasHarris County
See how Harris County performed on our equity assessment of its ARPA Local Fiscal Recovery Fund investment strategy.
Total Equity Focused ARPA Funds
$466,693,080$466,693,080
Overall Score
High
ARPA Equity Assessment of Harris County, TX
Overall Equity Focus
HighWas racial and economic equity an explicit focus of the jurisdiction's ARPA investment strategy?
95% of locations met this criterion.81% of locations met this criterion.86% of locations met this criterion.Equity Decision Making Tools and Resources
HighAre equity tools, frameworks, and structures in place to support equitable investment project identification, design, and implementation?
38% of locations met this criterion.The County developed a set of equity strategies to guide the implementation of ARPA programs. These strategies include: 1) disaggregating historical data and outcome measures by various demographic variables to identify and prioritize disproportionately impacted groups; 2) analyzing factors underlying existing inequities; 3) including community representatives of disadvantaged groups; targeting resources to vulnerable groups; 4) evaluating performance and continually improving projects; and 5) publishing transparent program results to ensure information reaches disproportionately impacted groups.
24% of locations met this criterion.Harris County adopted equity guidelines in November 2021 that drew substantial inspiration from the equity strategies used to inform the implementation of ARPA programs.
31% of locations met this criterion.In March 2021, Harris County announced approval of an (https://budget.harriscountytx.gov/doc/ARPA/ARPA_Equity_Framework_4_22_21_ADOPTED.pdf) intended to guide ARPA spending. The goal of the framework is to promote equity across the selection, development, implementation, and evaluation of ARPA projects.
51% of locations met this criterion.Harris County has a Department of Economic Equity and Opportunity (DEEO) that works to eliminate economic disparities and disinvestments in the community.
31% of locations met this criterion.The County used an equity assessment tool to evaluate proposed ARPA projects. Each project was assessed based on various applications of the equity strategies.
48% of locations met this criterion.72% of locations met this criterion.38% of locations met this criterion.Community Engagement
HighDid the jurisdiction engage community members in decision making about the ARPA funds, conduct targeted outreach to historically excluded communities, and implement strategies to reach underserved communities?
94% of locations met this criterion.64% of locations met this criterion.54% of locations met this criterion.Equitable Labor Practices
LowDoes the jurisdiction use best practices for ensuring public investments deliver family-supporting jobs to residents who have faced barriers to good jobs and economic prosperity?
36% of locations met this criterion.16% of locations met this criterion.70% of locations met this criterion.29% of locations met this criterion.11% of locations met this criterion.Equity Investments
HighDid the jurisdiction make investments that have the potential to advance equity by targeting the communities most harmed by the pandemic and addressing systemic inequities?
62% of locations met this criterion.71% of locations met this criterion.64% of locations met this criterion.82% of locations met this criterion.63% of locations met this criterion.81% of locations met this criterion.45% of locations met this criterion.33% of locations met this criterion.32% of locations met this criterion.64% of locations met this criterion.64% of locations met this criterion.31% of locations met this criterion.67% of locations met this criterion.56% of locations met this criterion.50% of locations met this criterion.Transparency & Accountability
HighDoes the jurisdiction set performance goals, collect data to monitor progress toward equitable outcomes, and provide the public with information about how funds are being used?
55% of locations met this criterion.70% of locations met this criterion.64% of locations met this criterion.75% of locations met this criterion.