Seattle City Hall is wasting no time putting the Seattle Rescue Plan into effect.
With only minor changes to the package of proposals from Mayor Jenny Durkan’s office, the Seattle City Council’s Finance and Housing Committee voted Tuesday to pass the plan for some $128.4 million in federal aid as Seattle continues it recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.
CHS reported here on the breakdown of the spending plan including $49 million for housing and homelessness, ‘direct cash assistance,’ small biz support, and cash for Stay Healthy Streets.
The council committee made small changes Tuesday to some of the buckets but passed the plan through in under three weeks.
NEWS RELEASE: Council Committee Passes ‘Seattle Rescue Plan’@CMTMosqueda, @CMLGonzalez and @MayorJenny crafted the #SeattleRescuePlan to respond to the most pressing needs facing Seattle, legislation which passed out of committee with several amendments.https://t.co/I0vDz6OHt0 pic.twitter.com/LizVvnFoM8
— Seattle City Council (@SeattleCouncil) June 15, 2021
While the federal funds are now planned to be distributed to address a wide spectrum of issues in the city, some have called for the money to be focused on addressing equity in Seattle.
The city will have more decisions to make on federal aid in coming months including the American Rescue Plan Act’s (ARPA) Coronavirus Local Fiscal Recovery Fund (CLRF) in 2022. The council will also consider additional budget legislation later this summer to accept and authorize spending $7.4 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds to support seniors and $28.7 million of aid for rental assistance programs.
Meanwhile, the Durkan administration must decide on whether to extend an eviction ban in the city. The current restrictions are set to be lifted at the end of this month.
The 2021 rescue plan will now move to the full council for final approval on June 21st.
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