AUSTIN, Texas – On Thursday evening, the City of Austin passed a $15 million budget amendment called the RISE (Relief in a State of Emergency) fund. The goal of the amendment is to get money directly into the hands of Austin families, especially those who may not qualify for help otherwise.

The amendment was sponsored by council member Gregorio Casar, Mayor Pro Tem Delia Garza, Mayor Steve Adler, council member Kathie Tovo, and council member Sabino 'Pio' Renteria.

The money will come from the Fiscal Year 2019-2020 General Fund Emergency Reserve Fund and City Council says it will be distributed through charity organizations throughout the city.

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It’s not known yet though what charities the money will be distributed to but council did leave it up to those organizations to decide what specific criteria will be used to give out the money to families. All they asked is that families that fall more than 200 percent below the poverty line, have experienced a significant hardship or loss of household income because of the coronavirus, or those that don’t qualify for other government funding on a state or federal level receive priority.

Resolution language also says that communities of color, the LGBTQ+ community, immigrant communities, and other historically marginalized communities should be prioritized as well.

During the council meeting on Thursday, Garza said the reason council did not specify what organizations will get the money was because they wanted to keep guidelines flexible in order to create an equitable approach to disbursement. Austin Health will decide which charities will be selected.

“We don’t want families to think the choices are no food on the table, no diapers, no basic needs unless they put themselves at risk,” said Garza during the council meeting.

It is expected some of money could be rolled out to charities in the next two to three weeks. A second wave of funding would be dispersed in May, according to resolution language.

Half of the money will go to organizations that provide “direct relief services," such as improving food access, rental and mortgage assistance, medical expenses, childcare expenses, etc.

The rest of the money will be used for direct financial assistance for eligible Austin residents.