Summary

In addition to the tragic health consequences of COVID-19 for many in our community, the pandemic has created economic hardship for countless families across King County. To meet the challenge, community organizations have worked to meet the increased demands for housing, healthcare, food, and legal assistance arising from these economic hardships.

Story

In addition to the tragic health consequences of COVID-19 for many in our community, the pandemic has created economic hardship for countless families across King County. To meet the challenge, community organizations have worked to meet the increased demands for housing, healthcare, food, and legal assistance arising from these economic hardships.

On Tuesday, King County Council Chair Claudia Balducci successfully advocated for the allocation of $100,000 of CARES Act funding to five organizations providing food and rental assistance to Eastside residents.

• Bellevue LifeSpring: fosters stability and self-sufficiency for Bellevue’s children and their families through programs that provide food, clothing, education and emergency assistance.

• Chinese Information and Service Center: helps immigrants throughout King County achieve success by providing information, referral, advocacy, social, and support services.

• Hopelink: provides homeless and low-income families, children, seniors and people with disabilities stability and helps people gain the skills and knowledge they need to exit poverty for good.

• India Association of Western Washington: connects, serves, and empowers the Indian community in the Greater Seattle area by providing youth, senior, and community programs, resource referral, cultural navigation, and more.

• Muslim Community Resource Center: connects those in need with relevant resources and service providers and provides comprehensive, culturally appropriate services.

“These are extraordinary organizations doing on-the-ground-work to meet the needs of our community during these extraordinary times,” Council Chair Balducci said. “They are providing critical services to keep Eastside residents fed and housed. While the need still far exceeds the resources, I am proud to support them as they support Eastside families.”

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act is a Federal measure that provides for payments to state, local, and tribal governments responding to the impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak. King County received $530 million in CARES Act funding. Today’s supplemental budget of nearly $100 million is the fourth emergency budget action taken by the King County Council to allocate these funds.

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