FROM THE SEATTLE OFFICE FOR CIVIL RIGHTS 
For Immediate Release 

Media Contact: Sage Leibenson, sage.leibenson@seattle.gov, (206) 962-1650   

Selected projects reflect community-driven priorities and bolster current city initiatives through one-time funding for safe and thriving communities 

SEATTLE (August 16, 2024) – This week, Mayor Harrell transmitted legislation to the Seattle City Council to authorize $27.25 million to implement six winning participatory budgeting projects focused on increasing access to housing, improving public safety and mental health supports, advancing food equity, and improving public infrastructure to meet basic needs. Specifically, projects will enhance housing navigation services for people experiencing homelessness; expand the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Team with additional mental and behavioral health specialists as first responders; provide more public restrooms; and expand access to education programs, healthy food, and places for community members to connect and share culture. 

These projects are funded by existing one-time budget funds originally allocated in 2020 to address public safety and community needs, particularly for Black, Indigenous, and communities of color.  

If approved by Seattle City Council, six city departments will receive funding to implement these community-selected projects either through competitive grant processes or within existing lines of business. City staff worked with community members to develop, design, and vet projects for feasibility while maintaining the integrity of the community-developed proposals.  

“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to the City’s 2020 promise to embark on this unprecedented process and invest in in community-driven ideas and services to strengthen and meet the unique needs of Seattle’s diverse communities,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “Thank you to the Seattle Office of Civil Rights, our organizational partners, and all the community members who have made their voices heard toward creating a more safe, equitable and connected Seattle, where all residents and neighborhoods – particularly those most impacted by systemic inequities – can thrive.”  

Proposed Projects 

• Community-Operated Restrooms ($7.2 M): Seattle Parks and Recreation will partner with community to enhance cleanliness and safety at five public restrooms over a five-year program. Community organizations will be selected through a competitive process to provide attendant oversight of a minimum of 5 restroom sites.  This includes operators attending to 2-3 existing, permanent restrooms, and 2-3 mobile restroom trailers.  Restroom trailers will initially be placed in areas of identified need, informed by community engagement, with the ability to move to the areas of greatest demand. 

• Mental Health Crisis Response ($2 M): Funding will expand the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) Team to increase qualified mental and behavioral health specialists as first responders. 

• Urban Farming and Food Equity ($7 M): The Department of Neighborhoods in partnership with the Office of Sustainability and Environment will support the activation of up to five publicly owned greenspaces to lease for urban agriculture. Additionally, a portion of the funds will leverage existing local training models to support small-scale farming and food producers.  

• Native-Focused Community Center for Youth ($7.2 M): The Office of Planning and Community Development will support the creation of a community-owned and operated center focused on Duwamish cultural education and recreation for youth.  

• Enhanced Housing Navigation Services ($2 M): The Human Services Department, in partnership with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, is expanding mobile-based housing navigation assistance. By improving access through Regional Access Points and the Coordinated Entry System, this investment aims to make it easier for individuals to find and secure housing, providing immediate and effective support for those experiencing homelessness. 

• Youth and Young Adult Emergency Shelter Capital Fund ($1.85 M): In collaboration with the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, the Human Services Department is funding vital enhancements, modifications, and repairs to youth shelters. These improvements will create more welcoming and supportive environments, ensuring young people have safe spaces during emergencies. 

“Participatory budgeting moves us closer to building systems that increase agency for underrepresented communities in Seattle,” said Derrick Wheeler-Smith, Director of the Seattle Office for Civil Rights. “These projects are an opportunity for the City to be accountable to promises made in 2020 to create new ways to get civically engaged and invest in urgent needs of our most prevented and persecuted communities.” 

About Participatory Budgeting 

Participatory budgeting brings people together to share ideas and vote on how to spend a portion of public funds to improve local communities. It focuses on engaging communities typically left out of government decision-making and budgeting processes.  

The City of Seattle launched its first participatory budgeting process in 2015 focusing on youth support and investments. In 2020, under the Durkan Administration, the city began a new participatory budget process to determine how to invest in programs and services that improve the safety and wellbeing of community members—particularly Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color. The Seattle Office for Civil Rights has facilitated the process since 2021 and contracted the Participatory Budgeting Project to manage community engagement, proposal development, and voting. Winning projects were identified in November 2023. 

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING 

Dominique Davis, Founder and CEO, Community Passageways  
“This has been a long time coming. Communities have given their time and input to coach our systems on how to effectively address violence, poverty, unemployment, and disparities faced on a daily basis. Now, we are relying on our representatives to listen. This money can do a lot of good for thousands of people and we appreciate City of Seattle leaders for taking action.” 

Tia Yarbrough, Educator and Community Leader 
“Participatory budgeting gives everyday citizens voice and agency in making decisions regarding the health and wellbeing of their communities. Intentionally inviting community to participate in budgetary decisions echoes the true value of prioritizing the people who are most impacted by government and policy.” 

Barb Tisi, Community Organizer 
“Participatory budgeting gives community members the opportunity to get their voices heard and make decisions on how funds are allocated to their needs and the prosperity of their communities. These projects will allow community members to thrive by providing resources they desperately need and make neighborhoods better places to live in. For example, public toilets are a basic human need, and it’s empowering to see the participatory budget is at the forefront of making sure there’s access to this much-needed human service.”  

Ayan Musse, South Seattle Community Member 
“This work is more important than ever because we have returned to business as usual. The city spends so much on policing and incarceration, and we want to see that same energy and amount of money put toward education, housing, jobs, and food for families in our community.” 

Kalie Vo, Student, University of Washington; Resident of Beacon Hill 
“Seattle communities have a long history of advocating for their needs as well as being their own leaders with the community expertise to know what does and doesn’t work. Black and Indigenous people are tired of unfulfilled promises for community investments while social, political conditions worsen. Decisions should not be made for the community, but by the community.” 

Dr. Darlene Conley, Community Member  
“The urban farming project will provide new greenspaces to grow fresh food for isolated populations and those living in food deserts, with the potential to become self-sustaining over time. It will also provide BIPOC entrepreneurs with training to empower a new generation of small-scale farmers. This project can have major positive impacts given the exponential increase in food prices, the growing food insecurity, and lack of fresh and affordable food for populations that suffer disproportionately from hypertension and diabetes.” 

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