# Harris County backs 3 programs to drive down crime > Federal cuts threaten community safety initiatives that have helped thousands and reduced gun violence in Houston-area neighborhoods. - Title: Harris County backs 3 programs to drive down crime | Shortify - Summary: Federal cuts threaten community safety initiatives that have helped thousands and reduced gun violence in Houston-area neighborhoods. Harris County is… - Keywords: harris county, houston, domestic violence, gun violence, hart program, rise program, community safety, federal funding cuts, barbie brashear, rodney ellis, texas, george floyd - Source: The Texas Tribune — https://feeds.texastribune.org/link/16799/17464408/texas-harris-county-community-safety-investment - Author: Stephen Simpson - Published: 2026-09-17T10:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: harris county, houston, domestic violence, gun violence, hart program, rise program, community safety, federal funding cuts, barbie brashear, rodney ellis, texas, george floyd ## A model domestic violence program Harris County's Domestic Violence Coordinating Council gives families money for rent, utilities, and groceries with no questions asked. ## Three programs tackle safety HART sends mental health specialists to crises. RISE reduces gun violence through community interventions like hospital visits for gunshot victims. ## Born from George Floyd protests The three community safety programs were created after nationwide protests following George Floyd's death. ## The programs are working Gun homicide rates fell faster in RISE areas than Houston overall. The programs have helped over 5,000 survivors and connected 5,000 residents to care. ## Federal cuts threaten programs Federal budget cuts and declining donations put the programs at risk. Commissioners approved $3 million in local tax dollars to keep them running. > Domestic violence resources have never been resourced properly from the beginning, ever. ## Rural counties depend on Houston Harris County programs spread across county lines, helping smaller rural counties that can't afford their own safety net programs. > It'll wipe those programs out. ## Federal grants vanish nationwide The Justice Department terminated 365 grants last year, with $500 million in promised funds evaporating across 48 states. > I can't express enough how dire the situation is right now and how critical it is that we don't move backward. ## Trump administration cuts explained The White House said programs funded DEI instead of safety. But 60% of terminated grants made no reference to diversity or equity in their descriptions. ## Harris County loses millions Domestic violence organizations in Harris and Fort Bend counties lost around $4 million collectively, leading to staff cuts and longer wait times. > That is years of wisdom and years of experience walking out the door. ## Residents plead for funding Harris County residents and advocates at public meetings urged commissioners to fund the programs using local tax dollars. > These are not charitable extras; they are the basic infrastructure people need to live safely and with dignity. ## How the money will be spent $1.5 million expands HART to 24/7 operation. $600,000 expands RISE into another neighborhood. $1 million sustains domestic violence prevention. ## Crime drops where programs operate RISE neighborhoods saw a 36% drop in crime, including a 48% drop in family violence and a 34% drop in aggravated robberies in two years. ## A model for the nation The $3 million brings total annual investment to $14 million, nearly 1% of the county's law enforcement spending, aiming to make Harris County a national model. > We hope to make Harris County a perfect model for other people to look at when you talk about community safety. ## Key takeaway Harris County is investing $3 million in local tax dollars to sustain three community safety programs after federal funding cuts threatened to end them.