Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell has announced $13,550,000 in awards through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) as part of the City’s effort to promote property ownership among diverse cultural communities in high displacement risk neighborhoods in Seattle.
The City has granted funds to community organizations for site acquisition, major capital projects, and capacity-building support for organizations still developing plans for permanent spaces in Seattle.
“Seattle is investing in tangible efforts to support cultural organizations working in historically underserved neighborhoods, combating displacement pressures and increasing access to opportunity,” said Harrell. “The Equitable Development Initiative brings our One Seattle vision to life, supporting organizations that serve diverse communities and establishing permanent roots in our city. These projects, from affordable housing developments to youth programming spaces, are generational investments that will foster vibrant, thriving communities.”
The EDI fund, managed by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), aims to reduce disparities, support access to opportunity, and address the needs of marginalized populations in healthy, vibrant communities. The initiative is championed by community organizations concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment in Seattle’s communities of color.
“Tackling displacement requires collaborative approaches,” said Vivian Phillips of ARTE NOIR. “This funding strengthens our partnership with the City of Seattle, enabling spaces like ARTE NOIR to reclaim what has been lost and create sustainable impacts for the arts and cultural community.”
EDI supports community leadership that promotes equitable access to education, childcare, jobs, cultural expression, outdoor space, recreation, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities. These funding partnerships aim to build capacity among historically underrepresented and underserved groups in Seattle. The program emphasizes shared decision-making and power, working towards racial equity outcomes to enable all communities to thrive.
“These projects will ensure that our cultural communities always have a home in Seattle,” said Rico Quirindongo, acting director of OPCD. “Displacement pressures are real, and the Equitable Development Initiative provides timely financial support to these organizations, helping build a more inclusive city.”
Additional EDI funding will be available this year, with information on the application and approval process to be announced in the coming weeks. Since November 2016, OPCD and partner departments, including the Office of Economic Development (OED), Office of Housing (OH), Department of Neighborhoods (DON), Office of Arts & Culture (ARTS), and Office for Civil Rights (OCR), have coordinated the administration of the EDI Fund.
The EDI Advisory Board, composed of community members, provides guidance and sets direction to advance racial equity outcomes, including promoting economic opportunity through education and job training, preserving marginalized populations, businesses, and community organizations in their neighborhoods, enhancing health outcomes and access to healthy, culturally relevant food, and supporting safe environments. EDI projects receiving financial support demonstrate a deep relationship with the community they aim to serve and feature an inclusive community process, with community members serving in leadership roles.
