By Aaron Allen, The Seattle Medium
As we enter another phase in the battle against COVID-19 (COVID), there are still thousands of people who are still reeling in struggle due to the damaging affects the virus has had on people and the economy.
In order to help address the financial hardships that some people are experiencing due to COVID, the City of Seattle has launched a $16 million relief fund to help low-income residents impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“As the first U.S. city to be significantly impacted by COVID-19, Seattle has been a leader to address both the public health and economic challenges of this pandemic. We were the first city to quickly respond to directly support our residents and small businesses with grants, innovative new programs like grocery vouchers and rental assistance, and direct cash assistance,” said Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan. “Because of our federal funds, we can continue to help vulnerable residents, especially immigrants and [families of color] who continue to be disproportionately impacted by this ongoing pandemic.”
The Seattle Relief Fund (SRF) dollars are part of a $25 million investment in the Seattle Rescue Plan, which was proposed and passed by Durkan and the Seattle City Council in June 2021, and will provide a one-time direct cash assistance program available to eligible households in the City of Seattle.
The Seattle Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs (OIRA) initially prioritized relief funding for direct cash assistance to low-income immigrants and are looking to utilize this next phase of assistance as the demand for help increased.
“During this pandemic people are suffering and are being negatively impacted by Covid, whether financially or through illness,” says Joaquin Uy of the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs. “We have heard that people need this type of assistance. Help to maybe pay that last month’s rent that they may be behind on. To get new clothes for their kids or [to have their] basic needs supplied. So, we really hope that this federal relief fund will be exactly the boost that people will need to help them get back on the path of stability as this pandemic unfortunately continues.”
As the pandemic continues, people across the region and the country continue to live under economic instability and suffering and officials believe that the Seattle Relief Fund is the lifeline that many people need in order to help stabilize themselves.
“The pandemic continues for so many people,” said César García, the co-director of the nonprofit Lake City Collective, one of the SRF community partner organizations. “Especially for those who have lost income because someone in their household became very ill or died, or for parents who couldn’t afford childcare, or workers whose employer shutdown. The Seattle Relief Fund recognizes that our neighbors who contribute to Seattle’s economy need a lifeline to keep them afloat in one of the most expensive cities in the country.”
“We are proud to partner with community-based organizations across the city on outreach and application assistance to communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Tanya Kim, HSD’s Acting Director. “We know that despite improvements for many, our Black, indigenous, and people of color community members continue to disproportionally feel the impacts of our public health response—which is why it’s critical that we partner with trusted community agencies to provide support that is culturally responsive and in a household’s preferred language. We are working hard to ensure that direct cash assistance is accessible to those most in need with minimal barriers.”
The fund in itself is open to all residents of Seattle that meet the eligibility requirements. To be eligible, someone in your household must: live within the boundaries of the City of Seattle, or be enrolled in the Seattle Promise Program, or enrolled in Seattle Public Schools, or be an artist/cultural worker who has owned or rented an art studio or rehearsal space within the boundaries of the City of Seattle at any time since March 2020 and be under 50 percent of the median household income in Seattle. This also includes households that were unable to access state unemployment, had no health insurance, didn’t receive federal stimulus payments, or experienced housing instability or mental health crisis due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Award amounts are between $1,000 and $3,000 depending on household size, and is open to all eligible Seattle residents regardless of their citizenship or immigration status. Eligible applicants must be 18 years old or older, have incomes under 50 percent of Seattle’s area median income (less than $40,500 for an individual or $57,850 for a family of four).
“Please let your friends and neighbors know about this fund,” says Uy. “It is not a first come, first service basis, even if people find out about it later, they should still apply.”
The Seattle Relief Fund is currently accepting applications and the application deadline is Monday, November 15 at 11:59 p.m. For more information, please visit the Scholar Fund program page at: seattlerelief.com.
