Seattle Rescue Plan
American Recovery Act funding prioritizes homelessness, small businesses, direct assistance to workers and families, community health and equity
On May 27, 2021, Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, together with Council President M. Lorena González and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda, announced the "Seattle Rescue Plan", a $128.4 million package in federal recovery funds to aid Seattle's recovery from the pandemic and COVID-related economic impacts.
On June 1, 2021, the City Council will introduce legislation to authorize spending $116 million in Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery funds in direct aid provided from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), as well as $12.2 million of HOME Investment Partnerships Program funds. In addition, the City expects to receive more targeted funding from the American Rescue Plan Act this Summer as well as an additional $116 million in flexible funds in May 2022.
Budget Chair Mosqueda, Council President González and Mayor Durkan crafted this legislation to respond to the most pressing needs facing Seattle. The proposed investments are informed by and are a reflection of shared priorities of the Mayor and the Council, as represented in Council Resolution 31999, which was adopted in March of this year to guide the City's investment of ARPA funds.
In April, the City passed a nearly $18 million COVID Relief package that focused on health, food and families, following deliberations in Councilmember Mosqueda's Finance and Housing Committee. These funds, combined with the $128.4M in American Rescue Plan Act Funding, are integral to Seattle's recovery from the social, public health and economic impacts of COVID-19.
Housing and Homelessness
The pandemic intensified Seattle's preexisting housing affordability & homelessness crisis, but recovery is our chance to turn the corner. The Seattle Rescue Plan will provide new shelter options to those in need and launch long-term investments to build permanent affordable housing.
| Housing/Homelessness | $49,220,684 |
| Resources for Emergency Housing, Shelter and Services | |
| Additional Diversion | $1,300,000 |
| Capacity Building (homeless and housing providers) | $4,300,000 |
| Enhanced Shelter and Outreach | $7,500,000 |
| Investments in Permanent Housing Strategies | |
| Increase RRH | $6,700,000 |
| Permanent Housing Capital | $28,520,684* |
| Additional Shelter | |
| Safe Lots | $500,000 |
| Tiny Home | $400,000 |
*Includes $12.2M of HOME funds.
Community Recovery
Our communities know best what they need to recover & the Seattle Rescue Plan will give them that support. Whether help for small businesses, investments in training, or targeted grants, Seattle is committed to building back a more vibrant, innovative, & inclusive city, together.
| Community Recovery | $23,000,000 |
| Apprenticeships and Retraining | |
| Retraining/Apprenticeships | $500,000 |
| Youth Employment internship programs | $500,000 |
| Downtown and Neighborhood Recovery Grants | |
| Downtown Recovery Grants | $22,000,000 |
| Neighborhood Recovery Grants | |
| Nonprofit and Community Organization Stabilization Grants | |
| Non-Profit Supports - Stabilization grants for arts/culture non-profits and other community orgs that have not had access to COVID-related funds | |
| Small Business Grants |
Community Well-Being
The Seattle Rescue Plan will provide direct cash and support services to those hit hardest by the pandemic. For families, for our most vulnerable, for those left behind by other government aid programs, help is coming to ensure no one is left behind.
| Community Well-Being | $41,515,000 |
| Direct Cash Assistance - Individuals | $25,000,000 |
| Digital Equity and Access | $800,000 |
| Community-focused City services: Restore SPL operating hours | $1,100,000 |
| Youth Equity and Opportunity | |
| Education Equity Programs (DEEL) | $4,000,000 |
| Mini grants to CBOs for preemployment summer programming for BIPOC youth | $500,000 |
| Community Assistance | |
| Childcare facilities | $5,000,000 |
| Childcare Stipend | $3,000,000 |
| Good Food Kitchen | $690,000 |
| Investments in gender-based violence response services | $600,000 |
| Investments in mental health services for individuals, youth, families, behavior health services | $600,000 |
| Diaper Distribution | $225,000 |
Community Assistance & Programming
Childcare is essential to reopening. We’re investing in our children’s future, by creating more childcare facilities and providing direct assistance to our essential childcare workers.
- $2.5 million to make 20 of the 26 miles of Stay Healthy Streets permanent.
- $1.4 million to support scholarships for child care services provided at SPR facilities this summer and fall; and to open eight wading pools, seven days a week, this summer.
- $1.25 million for enhanced maintenance services at parks, community centers, and other parks facilities that are expected to see heavy use in spring, summer, and early fall.
- $500,000 for an impact analysis and evaluation of recovery investments and will include data disaggregation as requested by community, and implementation of a unified application tool for City assistance programs.
- $500,000 to support expanded activation at parks that builds community by providing cultural and recreational activities; and support artists and small businesses, including food trucks or food carts and other vendors, as they rebuild after the pandemic. This effort could serve as a model to be funded with future Jumpstart economic resiliency funding.
- $375,000 to launch the Created Commons program that will bring cultural and artistic activation to public spaces in downtown and other neighborhoods.
- $300,000 to support the continuation of free outdoor dining and retail permits for another year.
- $200,000 for summer activation at Seattle Center.
Supporting City Services and Workers
Summer is here and Seattle is reopening! The Seattle Rescue Plan will help restart paused city programs so that you can go out enjoy everything from art activations and child-care services to public pools and epic events.
- $6 million to continue to support flexible work by upgrading technology needs to support teleworking and on-site work and other IT needs that were reduced due to 2021 budget cuts.
- $1.6 million to support workers returning to work and the public visiting City facilities with investments in deep cleaning City buildings, PPE, signage, air filtration, and space reconfiguration.