
Seattle – Today, Mayor Bruce Harrell announced $22 million in awards to 42 projects through the Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), part of the City’s effort to support property ownership among Seattle’s diverse communities in neighborhoods at high risk of displacement. This round of targeted EDI funding is intended to close critical funding gaps to move existing EDI projects toward completion, as well as capacity-building support to organizations that are still developing their plans for permanent homes in Seattle.
The EDI, administered by the Office of Planning and Community Development (OPCD) was created in 2016 to respond to the needs of marginalized communities, reduce disparities, and support organizational capacity building, property acquisition, and capital expenses. 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.
“Our city is steadfast in its commitment to delivering real results for communities disproportionately impacted by displacement,” said Mayor Bruce Harrell. “With our largest investment in Equitable Development Initiative projects to date, we are taking meaningful steps to expand opportunities in our most marginalized communities and build a future where every Seattle resident can thrive. These vital cultural and community spaces reflect the heart of our One Seattle vision—fostering opportunity, resilience, and belonging. Together, we are creating stronger, more connected communities and a city that works for everyone.”
As a key inclusive growth and anti-displacement strategy, EDI fosters community leadership that promotes equitable access to jobs, education and childcare, outdoor space and recreation, cultural expression, healthy food, and other community needs and amenities. These funding partnerships are designed to build capacity of organizations to serve an array of fundamental needs among the most marginalized communities in Seattle.
The program is based in shared decision-making and power, working towards racial equity outcomes that allow all communities to thrive. As the community-serving spaces and places funded by EDI become operable, funded organizations are providing public benefits in the form of services and programming that increase access to determinants of equity and reduce the risk of physical and cultural displacement.
“EDI makes catalytic investments in community-led solutions, ensuring that the benefits and burdens of regional transformation and economic growth are distributed equitably,” said Rico Quirindongo, Director of OPCD. “By focusing on anti-displacement and cultural preservation, EDI empowers communities to shape their own futures while fostering sustainable, inclusive growth.”
Today, EDI also released an addendum to its September Program and Projects Status Report, titled the “EDI Impact Report.” The report elaborates on EDI’s purpose and outcomes, highlighting key findings related to the tangible impacts of the programs at local, city, and broader regional levels.
The following community-based organizations were selected to receive funding to support capital projects:
Hip Hop is Green – $557,000 to support completion of the Cherry Street Farm and Lab.
Urban Black – $650,000 to support completion of the Legacy Program Project.
Cultural Space Agency – Columbia City – $1,000,000 to complete ADA renovations for the Columbia City Theater.
Kwanza Preparatory Academy – $850,000 for the Tayari Learning Center to complete renovations for culturally relevant childcare space in Rainier Beach.
Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network – $1,100,000 to complete the House of Constance to provide housing and support to queer and trans BIPOC.
Africatown Community Land Trust – $1,000,000 to complete the Africatown Plaza – Midtown Commercial project.
Interim Community Development Association – $1,525,000 to complete Bush Gardens/Uncle Bob’s Place.
Cultural Space Agency/ Cultivate South Park – $1,547,000 to complete the El Barrio cultural space in South Park.
Southeast Effective Development (SEED) on behalf of Hillman City Partners – $1,750,000 to complete the Hillman City Hub.
Cham Refugees Community – $1,700,000 to complete the Cham Community Center.
Rainier Beach Action Coalition – $300,000 to complete the Food Innovation Center.
Black Star Farmers – $365,000 to complete the Dakota Place project.
South Seattle Women’s Health Foundation/ Rainier Valley Midwives – $510,000 to support completion of the Rainier Valley Birth and Health Center.
ADEFUA Cultural Education Workshop – $400,000 to support pre-development of the African Cultural Arts Center (ACAC).
Tubman Center for Health & Freedom – $945,000 to begin construction on the Tubman Center for Health & Freedom.
Somali Health Board – $1,000,000 to advance construction of the Somali Community Cultural Innovation Hub.
African Community Housing & Development – $500,000 to advance development of on the Seattle International Public Market.
Lake City Collective – $1,000,000 to begin construction on the Willowbrook Multicultural Center.
Duwamish Valley Affordable Housing Coalition – $1,170,000 to activate the South Park Multipurpose Community Space.
Central Area Youth Association – $375,000 to support pre-development for their mixed-use affordable homeownership development.
Estelita’s Library – $1,500,000 to support Estelita’s Solidarity House.
Muslim Housing Services – $51,000 to support future acquisition of a ground floor condo in the Flourish on Ranier Bellwether Housing Affordable Housing development.
The following community-based organizations were selected to receive funding to support capacity building:
ARTE NOIR – $35,000 in capacity-building support for the ARTE NOIR Recording Studio and Maker Space.
International Community Health Services (AiPace) – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the Ron Chew Healthy Aging and Wellness Center.
New Hope Community Development Institute (NHCDI) – $150,000 in capacity-building support for New Hope Family Housing community-serving space.
Eritrean Association in Greater Seattle – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the Community Center Expansion Project.
Wing Luke Memorial Foundation – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the Eng Family Homestead.
Africatown Community Land Trust – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the William Grose Center.
Essential Community Housing Organization (ECHO) Co Lam Pagoda Lotus Village cultural space and affordable housing – $150,000
Multicultural Community Coalition – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the Hillman City Project.
Wa Na Wari – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the cultural preservation, arts, and artist in residence space.
LEMS Cultural Center & Bookstore for Life Enrichment – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the preservation of LEMS.
Fathers and Sons Together – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the Next Generation Level Up resource and outreach center for youth and young adults.
Khmer Community Seattle King County – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the Khmer Community Center.
Friends of Little Saigon – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the Little Saigon Landmark Project.
House of Mkeka SPC – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the collective living tiny cottage project.
Na’ah Illahee Fund – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the E’lip Tilikum Intertribal Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge (ITECK) Center.
Nurturing Roots – $75,000 in capacity-building support for Nurturing Roots Farm/Black Power Epicenter Project
Seattle Indian Services Commission – $75,000 in capacity-building support for the Native Village & Gateway Project.
BIPOC STAHC – $150,000 in capacity-building support for creation of the Sustainable Tiny Art House Community project.
Duwamish Valley Sustainability Association – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the Biofuel System Project.
Urban Family Center Association – $150,000 in capacity-building support for the Urban Family Youth and Family Hub.
What Grantees Are Saying:
“Collective ownership of Community Assets ensures that they will exist and serve their intended purpose in perpetuity! Having purchased the facilities with zero debt ensures that we can keep the rent for the art spaces below market rate in perpetuity. “ — Hillman City Partners/SouthEast Effective Development (SEED)
“Success for us goes beyond just one building. It is about re-establishing trust– building community, nurturing stability, mobilizing Native people for jobs, and healing intergenerational trauma. It is about honoring Native history, customs, and traditions. It means creating sacred space where all Native people have access to the best health care, and a home.” — Chief Seattle Club: ʔálʔal “Home” Building Sacred Space in Seattle Project
“The EDI funding was most helpful in assisting in the acquisition of the commercial space. In addition, we were able to use the EDI funds for predevelopment. — Africatown Community Land Trust (ACLT) Africatown Plaza