Equitable Development Initiative

King County’s Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) provides capacity building and capital funds for community-led and community-owned development projects -- giving communities most affected by displacement greater power to shape and own the future of their neighborhoods and create inclusive, resilient, and thriving communities. King County EDI prioritizes projects that advance equity and self-determination of communities that are:

adversely impacted by structural racism and discrimination;
experiencing disparities in economic and health outcomes; and
facing a heightened risk of displacement.

History of King County EDI

In 2022, the King County Equitable Development Initiative Coalition, a coalition of grassroots organizations led by and serving Black, Indigenous, and people of color communities, worked with the King County Council to establish a county-wide equitable development initiative to address rising displacement of communities of color because of skyrocketing rents and harms caused by decades of disinvestment in low-income neighborhoods.

Displacement occurs when people or businesses are forced to move away from their homes or communities because they can no longer afford the cost of living or doing business.

King Couny EDI aims to address residential and cultural displacement through:

Increasing stability and support resilience of residents, businesses, and community organizations in geographic areas and cultural communities experiencing displacement and areas where displaced households have relocated;
Supporting preservation and creation of cultural assets;
Honoring and promoting community power in planning and decision-making;
Building the capacity of community-based organizations to lead community-controlled and community-owned development;
Investing in strong, inclusive, and cooperative local economies;
Expanding transportation mobility and connectivity while guarding against displacement; and
Advancing healthy, livable communities with equitable quality-of-life outcomes.

In 2024, Ordinance 19861 appropriated $13 million for King County EDI implementation including capacity building funds for community-based organizations leading housing-related projects, and capital funds for affordable housing and other community serving uses that reduce displacement, increase opportunity, and advance the King County EDI objectives listed above.

King County EDI activities and investments are guided by an Interim Advisory Board, as well as the framework, vision, and recommendations put forth in the King County EDI Phase 1 and Phase 2 implementation plans.

Current Funding Opportunities

OPEN: Community-Led Tourism RFP (Deadline is 10/14/26 at 12:00 PM PST)

King County is pleased to announce a new Request for Proposals (RFP) for Community-led Tourism funding, designed to support community-led projects that celebrate local culture and history, strengthen neighborhood economies, and help communities experiencing displacement benefit from tourism.

This investment will support communities experiencing cultural and residential displacement to tell their own stories, elevate their heritage, and steward their cultural spaces while generating economic benefits that remain within the community.

About the Investment

This RFP is a partnership between the Department of Community and Human

Services’ (DCHS) King County Equitable Development Initiative (EDI), and the Executive Office Budget Team who will manage the contracts for agencies awarded funding.

Available Funding

A total of up to $900,000 in funding is available through this competitive RFP process. All expenses must be incurred by the awarded Proposer(s) between the Effective Date of the resulting contract and December 31, 2027.

Awards will range from a minimum of $30,000 to a maximum of $150,000. This will be a competitive RFP and awarded budget proposals may be partially funded.

Who Is Eligible to Apply

Non-Profit Corporation: federally tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 status or registered and active with the Washington Secretary of State as a non-profit organization;
Federally recognized Tribe or tribal organization;
Either of the above and who is acting as a fiscal sponsor of a community-based organization that does not have federal tax-exempt status nor is registered and active with the Washington Secretary of State;
For-profit Businesses: All applicants must be legally registered with the State of Washington and hold a valid business license at the time of application

Individuals and public entities are not eligible to apply.

Eligible Activities

Funding can support public events, art, cultural activities, tourism promotion, and other projects that celebrate and preserve cultural traditions, share the history and experience of a community or neighborhood, including present day challenges and efforts to resist displacement; and create opportunities for residents and visitors to experience people, places, and traditions that make King County communities unique.

All funded projects must be free and accessible to the public. All applications will undergo a review for public purpose requirements. A full list of eligible activities is available in the RFP.

Application Timeline

RFP Release Date: 9/8/26
Question & Answer Info Session: 9/18/26 at 12:00pm (PST) - Link to register

Spanish and ASL interpretation will be provided. To request additional languages or other supports at no cost for this information session. Please email Sean Power by September 16, 2026, at 5pm (PST) with your name, email, phone number, and your requested language.

Applications Due: 10/14/26 at 12:00pm (PST)
Award Notifications: Expected by the week of December 14^th, 2026
Contracts Expected to Begin: January 1, 2027

How to Apply

Review the full RFP here.
Complete the application via this link. For a list of the questions for reference purposes, please click here.
Please use this Budget and Workplan Template to submit a budget and workplan as part of the application.

For more information, please contact: RFP Lead, Sean Power at spower@kingcounty.gov

Equitable Development Capital Housing Investments

In January 2026, King County EDI awarded more than $9 million and leveraged more than $5 million in additional funding for three community-led housing developments:

African Diaspora Cultural Anchor Village: African Community Housing & Development will create 138 affordable homes in SeaTac, including larger family-sized homes for households earning 30% to 60% of Area Median Income (AMI), along with space for early learning, youth programs, community businesses, and cultural gatherings.
Little Sài Gòn Landmark Project: Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority will create 70 affordable homes for households earning 30% to 50% of AMI, along with community and cultural space operated by Friends of Little Sài Gòn to support cultural preservation and economic opportunity.
Rainier Beach Empowerment Center: East African Community Services will create 60 affordable homes, including larger family-sized homes, serving households earning 30% to 60% of AMI. The development will also include homes for young adults diverted from incarceration and families that include a person with a disability, along with community space and programs for youth and immigrant families.

These developments show what equitable development can look like when communities most affected by displacement have a meaningful role in deciding what gets built, who it serves, and how investment can strengthen existing communities.

For more information about affordable housing capital funding opportunities through King County, please visit the Housing Finance Program webpage. Please check the DCHS Funding Opportunities webpage for information about open RFPs.

Resources for Community-Based Organizations

Capital Projects Readiness

Affordable Housing Resources

Other Resources

Interim Advisory Board

King County EDI is guided by an Interim Advisory Board (IAB) comprised of leaders from across King County representing communities that are vulnerable to displacement. The IAB provides strategic direction and guidance on program priorities, promotes accountability to the King County EDI framework and values, and amplifies King County EDI activities and programs.

Interim Advisory Board Members:

Cesar A. Garcia Garcia

Chelsea Lee

Chris Hooten

Dimitri Groce

Eliana Horn

Fin'es Scott

Jo Woods

Maria Guadalupe Ramirez

Miriam Zmiewski-Angelova

Tino Salud

Yordanos Teferi