(The Center Square) – The Seattle Office for Civil Rights is allowing the public to vote on how to distribute a total of $27.3 million in funding through the office’s People’s Budget Seattle.
Voters can choose their four top projects they want to see funds go toward as part of the process. There are 18 proposals among five categories of identified community needs: youth and children, mental health, housing and physical space, crisis and wellness, and economic development.
According to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights, anyone over the age of 15 “that lives, works, or plays” in the city of Seattle is eligible to vote on the People’s Budget. No identification is required to vote.
The voting period began on Oct. 13 and runs through Nov. 12. The first 100 people to vote receive an unspecified $25 gift card.
During the community research period prior to the ballot’s release, housing diversity and the need for more Black-led residents and commercial spaces were identified as city needs.
Several teams’ proposals prioritize childcare and out-of-school time support for children facing systemic violence and trauma.
Voters can also decide whether the city funds support for alternatives to the current crisis response system, with staff consisting of “trained and skilled community members with lived experiences,” according to the digital ballot.
Proposals range from $500,000 to $7.2 million. There are three proposals that are requesting the maximum amount of funds.
Eligible participants could vote to send $7.2 million to increase the number of 24-hour public restrooms throughout the city.
Another proposal with the maximum $7.2 million would go to the Duwamish community center, which would offer recreational, educational and cultural programs to support cultural preservation.
The last $7.2 million proposal would fund the Community Trust for Wealth building, which would invest in land and property to create businesses that generate income for communities denied traditional homeownership.
The Seattle Office for Civil Rights’ participatory budgeting process will announce the winning proposals in mid-November. In January 2024, the Seattle City Council will put forward legislation appropriating the $27.3 million to the city departments implementing the proposals.
The Center Square reached out to the Seattle Office for Civil Rights for more information regarding the Seattle People’s Budget vote, but did not receive a response by the time of publication.
