Seattle City Wire

On May 27, Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan, City Council President Lorena Gonzalez and Council member Teresa Mosqueda unveiled the “Seattle Rescue Plan” to aid the city in its COVID-19 recovery.

According to Seattle.gov, the $128.4 million plan draws from the Federal American Rescue Plan Act, along with HOME Investment Partnerships Program funding. The Seattle City Council will plan to authorize spending starting on Tuesday, June 1. An additional $116 million is also set to be available for Seattle beginning in May of 2022. 

In the plan, city officials will be investing in housing and homelessness efforts, community programs and small businesses, among several other programs.  

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan | Facebook

In a May 27 Tweet, Mayor Durkan celebrated the plan, saying, “We can build a Seattle that is vibrant, innovative and inclusive when we work together. The Seattle Rescue Plan will kick-start our city's long-term recovery and make critical community investments to support our residents, reopen programs and house our neighbors.”  

Seattle’s housing and homelessness issues were worsened by the pandemic, so $49.2 million of the Rescue Plan will be invested in permanent housing, as well as resources for housing and shelter services.  

To assist in the rebuilding of small businesses and neighborhoods in the city, $23 million will be used to provide recovery grants and job retraining programs.  

With the $41.5 million dedicated to "community well-being," the city will be offering cash assistance, youth educational opportunities and increased city services and library hours for Seattle residents. 

To bolster the condition of the streets, outdoor spaces and child care services within the city, $7 million will go toward improving services at parks, community centers and child care facilities. 

Lastly, $7.6 million will be allocated toward the reopening of city programs and services, ensuring that workplaces can reopen safely with technological upgrades to enable teleworking and providing personal protective equipment and air filtration where needed.