Service + Solidarity Spotlight: Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation’s Rental Assistance Campaign a Model for the Nation

Working people across the United States have stepped up to help out our friends, neighbors and communities during these trying times. In our regular Service + Solidarity Spotlight series, we’ll showcase one of these stories every day. Here’s today’s story.

The Texas Gulf Coast Area Labor Federation, led by Executive Director Hany Khalil (AFT), recently reported on the success of its campaign to win and implement programs to get legal and financial assistance into the hands of workers at risk of eviction due to the pandemic, many of whom are union members. In particular, the labor body has partnered with Harris County’s and the city of Houston’s rental assistance program to apply its skills in running field programs to coordinate large-scale canvassing and rental assistance application events. The program has been successful, with $180 million distributed to 45,000 working families, while nationally 89% of federal assistance funds remain unspent, according to a recent report. The area labor federation credited its affiliated unions for making the program a success.