Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced $13,550,000 in awards through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), part of the City’s effort to support property ownership among Seattle’s diverse cultural communities in high displacement risk neighborhoods. The City awarded funds to community organizations for site acquisition and major capital projects, as well as capacity-building support to organizations that are still developing their plans for permanent spaces in Seattle.
The EDI fund, administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD), was created to respond to the needs of marginalized populations, reduce disparities, and support access to opportunity in healthy, vibrant communities. The initiative is championed by community organizations concerned about displacement pressures and historical lack of investment that has occurred in communities of color in Seattle.
“Seattle is investing in tangible efforts to support cultural organizations that are working in our historically underserved neighborhoods to fight displacement pressures so they can continue to increase access to opportunity and strengthen our communities,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “The Equitable Development Initiative makes real our One Seattle vision – supporting organizations that serve diverse communities in planting and reinforcing permanent roots in our city. From new affordable housing developments to space for youth programming, these projects are generational investments that will help us foster vibrant, thriving communities throughout our city.”
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