SOCR's team of hardworking staff, whose commitment to equity and service makes makes our work possible. As we reflect on the year behind us, we remain steadfast in our commitment to protecting civil rights and access to opportunity for everyone in who lives, works, and plays in Seattle.
In the face of federal policies that aim to erode civil rights and further marginalize Black, immigrant, and LGBTQ+ communities, we turned to our guiding values to move us closer to our vision of a city of thriving and powerful communities, and build systems that protect equity, dignity, and self-determination for all.
In the following sections, you’ll find a few ways we partnered with communities, organizations, and policymakers to uphold civil rights and advance racial equity in 2025.
Enforced civil rights laws, bringing resolution and relief to people experiencing discrimination
Discrimination takes many forms—from limiting the use of service animals for people with disabilities, to statements that deny access and opportunities based on race or gender, to housing terms that refuse or disadvantage renters with criminal history.
We enforce civil rights laws by investigating discrimination complaints, educating people about their rights, and helping businesses understand and follow the law. Our investigations and mediation services are grounded in a trauma-informed approach that recognizes the impacts discrimination has on individuals and communities. By centering dignity, fairness, and respect for our customers’ lived experiences, we help people assert their rights and work toward meaningful resolutions that bring accountability and relief.
This year we:
Filed more than
154
complaints of
discrimination
Conducted more than
260
“secret shopper” tests to uncover discrimination
Completed more than
98
investigations
This data reflects SOCR’s work from January through November. December data will be available as part of our upcoming 2024-2025 Biennial Report.
Our services protect civil rights and ensure businesses follow the law
Filing a complaint with our office helps workers, renters, and people with disabilities receive fair treatment and equal access to opportunities—while providing businesses with resources they need to follow the law. A few outcomes from our work this year include:
Investigation leads to accountability and training
A tenant filed a complaint claiming a housing provider failed to accommodate their disability. Our investigation found evidence that the housing provider did not work with the tenant to find a solution and denied the reasonable accommodation. To resolve the dispute, the housing provider paid the tenant $1,500 in damages, created a reasonable accommodation policy, and completed a Renting in Seattle Landlord Workshop.
Resolution achieved through mediation
A Black employee reported race-based discrimination by a supervisor. The employee had an excellent performance record but was rejected for multiple positions they applied for. Through mediation, the parties resolved the dispute by securing a monetary settlement for the employee and requiring training for the employer’s staff. The process highlighted the employer’s mistakes in the application process and the lived experience of the employee. In the end, the employee felt heard and respected, and the case was withdrawn without a need for further investigation.
Crafted data-driven policy research and community-centered analyses
Our Policy Division provides data-driven research, policy development, and community-informed analysis to advance civil rights protections and equitable policies, programs, and practices. We work closely with community members and organizations to ensure our work is ethically built and responds to community priorities. Our policy work helps Seattle’s lawmakers center civil rights in their decision-making and mitigate harm to communities impacted by institutional discrimination, particularly Black, Indigenous, People of Color, immigrants, refugees, unhoused people, and the LGBTQ+ community.
This year, for example, we provided analyses highlighting civil rights risks and equity concerns for the proposed crowd control weapons legislation and expansion of the Closed-Circuit Television and Real-Time Crime Center technologies. Our work was cited in multiple news outlets, which raised public awareness about the civil rights implications of these policies and brought more people into the civil rights conversation in our city.
Fostered inclusive civic engagement
Commission advocacy and partnerships
This year, our community-led advisory commissions built stronger partnerships with community members and organizations, partnered with policymakers on new legislation, and hosted events to amplify community voices. A few specific accomplishments include:
- Disability Commission: Co-hosted a public forum amplifying City Council candidates’ policy perspectives on accessible housing, transportation, and Medicaid cuts affecting people with disabilities.
- LGBTQ Commission: Partnered with Mayor Harrell and City Councilmembers on the LGBTQ Pride Flag Raising celebration, legislation strengthening protections for people seeking gender-affirming and reproductive health care, and a proclamation that stands against transphobia in honor of Transgender Day of Remembrance.
- Human Rights Commission: Hosted a Human Rights Community Resource Fair and screened Evicting the American Dream, a film that humanizes eviction and homelessness.
- Women’s Commission: Collaborated with City leaders and the Human Services Department to proclaim October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month and honor survivors and advocates. They also hosted a community-led art show highlighting survivors’ stories of healing and resilience.
Invested in the next generation of civic leaders
This year, our Policy Division welcomed 21 high school students to our City’s first Youth Civic Engagement Program. Through hands-on policy development, community engagement, and public speaking experience, students built new skills, knowledge, and confidence to participate in local government, shape decisions, and advocate for the future they deserve. After the program, 80% of participants reported they now see themselves as leaders, and 90% reported stronger problem-solving skills.
Built new tools and capacity for equity work within the City
In 2025, we continued to challenge institutional racism and work to embed social justice principles into City programs. Through trainings, new staffing, and strategic development, we worked to build lasting capacity for equity work across the City. A few highlights include:
- Grew the RSJ Division with the hiring of a new RSJ Director, RSJ Lead, and RSJ Strategic Advisors to better support and advise departments on equity work.
- Facilitated twenty trainings across twenty City departments, reaching over 160 City employees and commissioners.
- Finalized new guidance for Change Teams (staff-led equity groups) to strengthen their role in advancing equity within City departments.
- Convened a Learning Cohort to bring City departments together to collaborate, share resources, and increase equity outcomes in the community. The group worked together to develop an implementation plan to improve youth safety and stability, with a focus on Black youth.
Increased community-owned alternatives to incarceration
Since 2020, SOCR has invested over $3 million in community-owned alternatives to the incarceration. Building on that commitment, this year we invited community organizations and coalitions to apply for an additional $570,000 to expand community responses to domestic violence. Programs eligible for funding will support healing and accountability for survivors, provide those engaging in abusive behavior with resources for transformation outside of the criminal legal system. Award recipients will be announced in January.
Upcoming work in 2026
We’re gearing up to launch several new projects in 2026 including a Housing Reparations Study, Fair Housing Training for landlords, and a Race and Social Justice Initiative Community Summit.
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