Equitable Development Initiative

Supporting projects that promote strong communities and places with equitable access.

What's Happening Now?

Equitable Development Initiative awards $5.5 million to community organizations
The Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) has the dual purpose of mitigating displacement and increasing access to opportunity for Seattle's marginalized communities who at risk of displacement as Seattle grows. EDI fosters community leadership and supports organizations to promote equitable access to jobs, education and child care, outdoor space and recreation, cultural expression, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities. These new partnerships are designed to support leadership and build capacity building among the most historically marginalized groups in Seattle, sharing in decision-making and power, and working towards racial equity outcomes that allows all communities to thrive.

The following community-based organizations working in Seattle on anti-displacement strategies and economic development opportunities have been selected:

  • African Women Business Alliance: $75,000 for capacity building to explore a permanent home for the Alliance and to support economic development of women-owned businesses.
  • Africatown: $1,075,000 for capacity-building and development expenses to include affordable commercial space to the Midtown affordable housing project.
  • Chief Seattle Club: $925,000 for capacity-building, project development, and construction of affordable housing, healthcare, and art gallery space serving the American Indian/Alaska Native community.
  • Filipino Community of Seattle: $1,000,000 for capacity building, pre-development, and construction of senior housing, technical learning center, and community gathering space.
  • Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition: $75,000 for capacity building to support a multi-use project that includes affordable housing, childcare, and community space.
  • United Indians of All Tribes: $1,075,000 for capacity building and development of the Northwest Native Canoe Center on Lake Union and rehabilitation of Daybreak Star Center.
  • Refugee and Immigrant Family Center: $815,000 to prevent the displacement of an existing childcare center and community facility in West Seattle, serving primarily immigrant and refugee families.

Three additional applicants - Ethiopian Community in Seattle, West African Community Center, and Black and Tan Hall - have also been selected to support capacity building and project development needs. The three projects will receive funding from the remaining $460,000, with specific contract amounts for each project to be determined later.

What is Equitable Development?

Equitable development means making public and private investments in neighborhoods that support those most in need and that considers past history and current conditions so that future outcomes are equitably distributed, both for those currently living and working in Seattle, as well as new arrivals.

The Equitable Development framework supports two equity goals: Strong Communities and People as well as Great Places with Equitable Access. Six Equity Drivers are key to achieving equity objectives:

  • Advance economic opportunity. Promote economic opportunities for marginalized populations and enhance community cultural anchors. Provide access to quality education, training, and living-wage career paths.
  • Prevent residential, commercial, and cultural displacement. Enact policies and programs that allow marginalized populations, businesses, and community organizations to stay in their neighborhoods.
  • Build on local cultural assets. Respect local community character, cultural diversity, and values. Preserve and strengthen cultural communities and build the capacity of their leaders, organizations, and coalitions to have greater self-determination.
  • Promote transportation mobility and connectivity. Prioritize investment in effective and affordable transportation that supports transit-dependent communities.
  • Develop healthy and safe neighborhoods. Create neighborhoods that enhance community health through access to public amenities, healthy, affordable and culturally relevant food, and safe environments for everyone.
  • Enable equitable access to all neighborhoods. Leverage private developments to fill gaps in amenities, expand the supply and variety of housing and employment choices, and create equitable access to neighborhoods with high access to opportunity.

The Equitable Development Framework guides how the city prioritizes its work; shapes its budgets, policies, programs, and investments; and structures the implementation of targeted strategies and equitable development projects by using clear objectives for reducing disparities and achieving equitable outcomes for marginalized populations.

Equitable Development Fund & Interim Advisory Board
In the fall of 2016, the City signed an agreement on the pending transfer of the Civic Square property next to City Hall, with $16 million in proceeds to establish a Equitable Development Implementation Fund. The EDI fund released $6.5 million for five projects listed in the Equitable Development Financial Strategies. An additional $5.5 million is being released as part of the Round 2 RFP.

  • Community Capacity Development – active engagement with organizations representing historically underserved communities, communities of color, and communities at risk of displacement.
  • Real Estate Development – predevelopment (site acquisition, feasibility studies, operations), development (tenant improvements, building construction, renovation).
  • Entrepreneurship and Talent Development – community wealth creation, business support.

An interim advisory board has been established that helped determine criteria for projects and programs that will receive Equitable Development funding in addition to the projects listed below.

Current Equitable Development Projects
Five community-driven projects have been identified through inclusive community engagement processes that helped create the Equitable Development Initiative. These projects include:

  • Multicultural Community Center
  • Rainier Beach Innovation District
  • SouthEast Economic Opportunity Center
  • William Grose Center for Cultural Innovation
  • Little Saigon Landmark Project

Project Documents

The Equitable Development Initiative builds on the Equitable Development Implementation Plan and Financial Investment Strategy that were adopted by City Council in 2016 as part of our Comprehensive Plan – Seattle 2035.

Other documents related to Equitable Development and Seattle’s Race and Social Justice Initiative, which is the City’s commitment to eliminate racial disparities and achieve racial equity in Seattle.

  • Executive Order 2015-04: Directing the creation of a new executive office to coordinate planning and implementation to build thriving and equitable communities
  • Executive Order 2014-02: Affirms the City of Seattle’s commitment to the Race and Social Justice Initiative (RSJI), and expands RSJI’s work to include measurable outcomes, greater accountability, and community-wide efforts to achieve racial equity in our community.
  • Race and Social Justice in the 2017 Budget Provides an overview of the major citywide initiatives underway and specific projects and programs that will help create a more equitable city.
     

 

Background

Seattle has grown rapidly in recent years, but the benefits and burdens of growth have not been shared among our communities. Disparities persist in income, unemployment rates, homeownership and even life expectancy. Our plan for growth moving forward, Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan, envisions Seattle as a diverse city where all people can achieve their full potential regardless of race or means.

  • The Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) addresses displacement and the unequal distribution of opportunities to sustain a diverse Seattle. The EDI fosters community leadership and supports organizations to promote equitable access to housing, jobs, education, parks, cultural expression, healthy food and other community needs and amenities.
  • Council approved an interfund transfer loan of $16 million to be used on EDI projects in advance of the completion of the Civic Square transaction.
  • Since late 2016, directors and staff from OPCD, OED, OH, DON, OPI and OCR in consultation with CBO have been working together to create an EDI program that includes a formal granting program, detailed criteria for funding projects, governance processes, and a staffing plan.
  • EDI Subcabinet Directors recommended the City invest $6.5 million in the four neighborhoods where the proposed place-based projects are located (Chinatown-International District, the Central District, Othello and Rainier Beach) for capacity building, pre-development, and capital investments. The initial investment would be based on project funding criteria that are being developed.
  • EDI Subcabinet Directors approved the release of an additional $5.5 million for up to seven additional projects through an open application process starting at the end of 2017.
     

Timeline

The EDI fund will follow an annual grant cycle that is coordinated with other City grant funding sources. The process to distribute up to $6.5 million through an interfund loan specifically targeted for community-identified projects in five EDI communities has begun and is being administered as a first round of the EDI funding process. Subsequent rounds of funding will be available to qualifying projects and programs beginning in early 2018. The following outlines the anticipated and the proposed process and timeline for the second round of funding.

  • Summer 2017: EDI Fund Outreach - Community groups understand EDI funds available for five initial projects (plus potentially a small amount available for other work in these neighborhoods).
  • Q4 2017: Pre-application hearings - EDI staff and community groups have a shared understanding of how EDI funds can advance the projects.
  • Q4 2017: EDI Fund round 2 RFP released
  • March 5th 2018: Proposals submitted - Community groups submit proposals that formally request funds and outline deliverables.
  • March-April 2018: EDI staff, EDI advisory board, and Investment Committee review proposals and determine fund awards.
  • May-June 2018: Funding decision/contracts signed - EDI staff prepare contracts that articulate deliverables.
  • Ongoing: EDI contracts and project management - EDI staff and work with community groups to advance deliverables and report on progress.