Element Notes
News & Opinion on Building A Healthy Community
November 22, 2016
Deep community knowledge is a key benefit of working with Seattle Foundation. Our team has extensive knowledge about community issues and trends, as well as an expansive network of relationships with nonprofit organizations working locally, nationally and globally. We track key developments in each element of our Healthy Community Framework: Arts & Culture, Basic Needs, Economy, Education, Environment, Health & Wellness, Vibrant Communities and Global Giving. Every other week, we compile Element Notes to share the latest developments affecting efforts to make Greater Seattle a stronger, more vibrant community for all. We hope you find it useful and let us know what you think!
The Seattle City Council passed the 2017-2018 budget package with more spending on homelessness and affordable housing bonds. In addition, we've included news of statewide races and ballot measures mapped out county-by-county, potential post-election influences on Seattle, new technology advances in philanthropy and a growing West Coast homelessness crisis.
Budget
Affordable housing, homeless services top new Seattle budget
As of today, the Seattle 2017-2018 budget is approved. In the fallout of #blockthebunker and Sawant’s proposal to redirect the money toward affordable housing, a compromise for $29 million in new affordable housing funds was approved, coming out of bonds. 200 new police are still being added as well. On the homelessness crisis front, significant new funding for rapid re-housing focused on Pathways Home was also approved. There is also overlying anxiety over Trump’s federal defunding of “sanctuary cities,” or cities like Seattle that do not help the federal government prosecute undocumented immigrants.
Post Election
Local election results from Seattle Times
Sound Transit, state minimum wage and gun control for people experiencing mental health crises pass while the controversial I-732 carbon tax failed.
Support surges for local civil rights, immigration orgs
In the wake of Trump’s election, civil rights and immigration organizations have gotten a big boost of local donations and support.
Donald Trump Is Choosing His Cabinet. Here’s the Latest Shortlist.
Running up to the Trump presidency, The New York Times has a running list of his cabinet appointments.
McGinn: Under Trump, Seattle may need to sacrifice for its values
An interesting perspective on what the election means for Seattle from former Mayor Mike McGinn, focused on how standing up for sanctuary cities and cuts in federal funding could affect the city.
Trump Supporters Threaten Washington Nonprofit After Election (warning: explicit language)
Fox viewers and readers have left more than 100 threatening voicemail messages for local nonprofit Washington Community Action Network staffers after the election. Washington CAN is a state-wide advocacy organization that works on issues affecting low-income communities and is a past Communities of Opportunity grantee.
Economy
Just how secure is Seattle’s economy?
The region may be more vulnerable to a recession than we assume
Basic Needs
Homelessness down nationwide, but still up in King County
Seattle and other west coast cities are bucking the national homeless trend — and not for the better.
Section 8 tenants flee Seattle’s high rents, compete for housing in smaller cities
Education
Seattle School Board Meeting; 2016 Growth Boundaries
Global
Natural disasters hit the poor the hardest, empowering women can help fix that
Health and Wellness
Anti vax movement puts Somali American kids at risk
National Movements
Hundreds in Seattle protest North Dakota oil pipeline
Philanthropy
Philanthropy That Comes from a Click
For Today’s Giver, ‘Robo-Advisers’ Streamline Philanthropy
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Category
For Philanthropists
TAGS
social equality,
Basic Needs,
economic opportunity,
healthy community framework,
philanthropists,
education,
Children and youth,