City of Seattle Announces Over $50M of Recovery Investments in Second Wave of Seattle Rescue Plan
The City of Seattle will invest in rental assistance, support for seniors, transit operations, relief for McCaw Hall and the Madison Bus Rapid Transit project
SEATTLE (August 3, 2021) – Mayor Jenny A. Durkan, Council President M. Lorena Gonzalez, and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda announced the second wave of Seattle Rescue Plan investments totaling over $52.2M today. This targeted aid from the American Rescue Plan act (ARPA) and the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021, builds on the first wave of Seattle Rescue Plan investments. With today’s investment, relief from the Seattle Rescue Plan will total over $180 million.
“Seattle is still grappling with the long term effects of the pandemic. By working together, we are quickly deploying these additional Seattle Rescue Plan resources, which will help create a strong economic recovery and building the resiliency of our residents,” said Mayor Jenny Durkan. “As King County deploys more than $145 million in rental assistance, Seattle is also moving forward on rental assistance funding we have received in recent weeks. We know many residents are still struggling to pay rent and the resources announced today will help put money back in the pockets of renters and provide assistance to small landlords who are struggling.”
The legislation includes grant acceptances for:
· Rental assistance ($28.7M)
· Support for seniors ($7.4M)
· Revenue replacement for the Monorail ($1.8M) and Streetcar Operations ($700k)
· Madison BRT project ($10.9M)
· Aid to McCaw Hall ($2.2M)
Through the funding announced today, the City will deploy $28.7M in rental assistance once approved by Council. The funding will continue to help renters pay current and overdue rent and help individuals and families keep their housing. The City will partner with United Way of King County to administer rent assistance and provide support to tenants and landlords, including proactive outreach to small landlords who may be struggling with mortgage debt. The City will also continue to support provide partnerships with Community Based Organizations to provide rental assistance in communities most impacted by the pandemic and housing instability and support tenants in publicly-subsidized affordable housing.
“Council and the Mayor worked together to build the Seattle Rescue Plan earlier this summer, making much needed investments in direct financial assistance for struggling families, and focused on rebuilding our economy through childcare, small business assistance, affordable housing and other critical services,” said Council President M. Lorena González (Position 9, Citywide). “Seattle Rescue Plan II, which focuses on the allocation of targeted federal funds to support certain investments and programs, builds on our shared values. We’ll help families remain safe in their homes by expanding rental assistance, aid seniors who were isolated during the pandemic, and make new transportation investments to get our workforce, residents and visitors moving again.”
The City will also invest over $7M County-wide in seniors’ supportive services, congregate meals, home delivered meals, preventative health, family caregivers, and vaccine access as well as other strategies aimed at alleviating negative health effects of social isolation due to long-term stay-at-home recommendations for the duration of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
“These targeted federal relief dollars will boost immediate relief for our most impacted communities through rental assistance, support for seniors, and transportation projects and services. The Seattle Rescue Plan 2, along with the JumpStart Seattle appropriations, expected federal funding and our 2022 budget, will aid Seattle in accomplishing a more equitable recovery. Working together, we must continue to work quickly and effectively to get appropriated funds into the community with urgency to provide support for those who need it most,” said Budget Chair Teresa Mosqueda (Position 8, Citywide).
Through a Shuttered Venue Operators grant from the Small Business Administration, the City has dedicated $2.2M for aid to McCaw Hall to help offset revenue loss and the effects of prolonged closure during the COVID-19 pandemic. McCaw Hall will be able to use these funds for costs to reopen such as payroll, utility payments, and other business expenses.
The funding announced today will also include lost revenue replacement for the Monorail and Streetcar as well as a $10.9M grant to expedite the Madison BRT project.
