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King County Washington home

Equitable Development Initiative

King County’s Equitable Development Initiative (EDI) provides capacity building and capital funds for community-driven and community-owned development projects that address residential and cultural displacement throughout King County. King County EDI prioritizes projects that advance equity and self-determination of communities that are:

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

King County EDI was established in 2022 as a result of a multi-year community effort and serves as one way the County is working torepair harm caused by inequities in community investment; support the self-determination and leadership of communities impacted by discriminatory housing policies and displacement; and prevent harm from existing and future policies and practices, including the impacts of growthand redevelopment in our region.

 

King County EDI activities and investments are guided byan Interim Advisory Board comprised of community leaders across King County, 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

 

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 use capital projects that meet the funding criteria developed by the King County EDI Interim Advisory Board. In 2026, King County EDI will release Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for capacity building grants, non-housing capital funds, and funds for equitable development projects that promote tourism. Please check back on this webpage as well as the DCHS Funding Opportunities webpage for information about open RFPs.

 

Open RFP: Capacity Building for Affordable Housing - Deadline is April 27th at 2pm PST

 

Are you a Community Based Organization looking for capacity building support to advance an affordable housing project located in King County?

The King County EDI is excited to announce a new funding opportunity for Capacity Building support in the amount of $100,000 - $150,000 per award.

The Equitable Development Capacity Building Grants RFP (released on March 12, 2026) will advance King County EDI’s vision of an inclusive and equitable King County with resilient, thriving, and welcoming communities. The purpose of the grant is to increase the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) with less experience in housing development. Funds are intended to support CBOs already working on an affordable housing project, at any stage from concept and visioning to planning and predevelopment.

Funds can be used to increase organizational, project, or financial readiness as they relate to an affordable housing project. CBOs do not need to have prior experience completing a King County Housing Finance Application or developing an affordable housing project to be eligible.

King County EDI prioritizes projects that advance equity and self-determination of communities that are adversely impacted by structural racism and discrimination and that are led by and for communities facing a heightened risk of displacement.

The deadline to submit is Monday, April 27th, 2026 at 2:00 PM.

If you are interested in applying, please create an Agiloft account and download required material. When completed, submit your proposal with all required documents via Agiloft. If you do not have a DCHS Agiloft account instructions for creating an Agiloft profile can be found here.

Virtual info sessions will be hosted on March 20, 2026 at 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM and April 6, 2026 from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM.

Proposals should be submitted via Agiloft. To access the RFP with an Agiloft login, go to Solicitation: Equitable Development Initiative Capacity Building Grants RFP.  
Please note that all communication regarding the subject matter of this opportunity between the Proposers and DCHS upon release of this RFP must be through the Agiloft “Questions and Answers” tab or Addenda posted in Agiloft. 

Equitable Development Housing Capital Investment 

King County EDI is supporting the following housing capital investments awarded in 2026. These projects were recommended for funding by a community review panel for exemplifying community–led and owned development that will increase stability and resilience of communities facing displacement pressures: 

  • African Diaspora Cultural Anchor Village – Total award $8,450,055: African Community Housing & Development will create 129 units of rental housing, including larger family sized units in SeaTac. The project will serve households with incomes at or below 30%, 40%, 50% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and provide services to meet the needs of immigrant and refugee communities, including early learning classrooms, gardening and recreation space, space for community businesses, and a community gathering/performing arts space. 
  • Little Saigon Landmark Project – Total award $4 Million: Seattle Chinatown International District Preservation and Development Authority will develop 70-units of rental housing in the Chinatown International District serving households below 30%, 40%, and 50% AMI. The project will provide an anchor for the Little Saigon neighborhood and include a community and cultural space on the ground floor, owned and operated by Friends of Little Saigon, to support cultural preservation and economic opportunity for neighborhood residents, business owners, and cultural non-profits. 
  • Rainier Beach Empowerment Center – Total award $5 Million: East African Community Services will create 60-units of rental housing, including larger family sized units, serving low-income households with incomes below 30%, 50% and 60% of AMI. Eight studios will be set aside for young adults being diverted from incarceration. Twenty percent of the units will be set aside for households with a disabled family member.  The building will also include a community center with an early learning facility, programs for school age youth and immigrant families, non-profit office space, and a community gathering space. 

For more information about affordable housing capital funding opportunities through King County, please visit the Housing Finance Program webpage.  

King County EDI Interim Advisory Board(IAB)

Implementation of the King County EDI is guided by an Interim Advisory Board (IAB) comprised of 12 community 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. 

Current Advisory Board Members:  
Abdirizak Ahmed  
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