City of Seattle Receives HUD’s CDBG 50th Award Recognizing the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund

Program selected in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Community Development Block Grant Program

SEATTLE - In honor of five decades of urban development and revitalization, earlier this month the U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recognized the City of Seattle with a Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 50th Anniversary Award for its support of the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund (RVCDF) and its transformative contribution to equitable development in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods.

In photo (left to right):
John Schelling, HUD Community Planning & Development Director for Washington State
Tanya Kim, Seattle Human Services Department Director
Carma Reed, HUD Community Planning & Development Regional Director
Maiko Winkler-Chin, Seattle Office of Housing Director
Andrew Lofton, HUD Northwest Regional Administrator
Andréa Akita, Seattle Office of Housing Deputy Director
Michael Look, HUD Northwest Deputy Regional Administrator

Since its inception, over $633 million in CDBG funds have been used by the City of Seattle to deliver vital services for low- and moderate-income residents and support critical investments in infrastructure based on the City of Seattle's priorities. This year, HUD's 10 regional offices highlighted projects indicative of CDBG's unique flexibility and innovative impact with RVCDF standing out for its lasting benefits and creative approach.

Founded in 2002 in response to economic disruptions caused by Sound Transit Light Rail construction, RVCDF evolved into a robust financial institution supporting local entrepreneurship and real estate development. With a major investment of $24.7 million of CDBG and other local and federal resources, the RVCDF has had a substantial impact on the Southeast Seattle community supporting a diverse array of businesses and construction trades jobs training in one of the nation's most diverse neighborhoods, according to recent censuses.

As a self-sustaining, community-controlled financial institution, RVCDF preserves and strengthens cultural diversity, long-term livability, and economic opportunity for Rainier Valley residents, businesses, and institutions. It also has a substantial revolving loan fund for business lending and commercial real estate lending in Southeast Seattle. It provides technical assistance services to businesses that are looking to grow and increase profitability and sustainability.

The City of Seattle collaborates with the Seattle Housing Authority and multiple community partners to guide the financial and human capital investments for the following US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funded programs: The Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG), the HOME Investment Partnership Program (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA), and the Emergency Solutions Grant Program (ESG).

The Seattle Human Services Department plays a crucial role in coordinating these vital investments on behalf of the City of Seattle. By working closely with the Office of Housing, Office of Economic Development, Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs, Department of Parks and Recreation, and Office of Planning and Community Development, hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funds have been maximized for community benefit.

The CBDG program, enacted by Congress in 1974, touches every corner of the country-primarily serving low- and moderate-income populations and helping build stronger and more resilient communities across Washington State. For more details on the 50^th Anniversary celebrations and the impact of the CDBG program visit HUD's 50^th Anniversary StoryMap.

What People Are Saying

Maiko Winkler-Chin, Director of Seattle's Office of Housing
"The Office of Housing is grateful to be a part of this group receiving HUD's CDBG 50th Anniversary Award, which highlights the amazing changes we can bring to our communities with the right investments. The Rainier Valley Community Development Fund exemplifies this by championing equitable development and empowering one of our nation's most diverse neighborhoods. By directly funding the community, we can create thriving neighborhoods that ensure a bright future for everyone."

Tanya Kim, Director of Seattle's Human Services Department
"The Human Services Department is honored by this recognition from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the City's fruitful 20-year partnership with the Rainer Valley Community Development Fund helping to ensure all neighborhoods have an opportunity to be strong, healthy, and thriving. HSD's work, in partnership with numerous City departments and community partners, to implement these critical federal CDBG investments is indicative of the One Seattle approach to meeting the needs of all Seattle communities through thoughtful, targeted, and innovative investments."

John D. Schelling, Director of Community Planning & Development in HUD's Seattle Regional Office
"As we completed our review and evaluation of so many deserving projects, the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund really stood out to the selection team as a project that met these criteria as an example of an Outstanding Achievement in Economic Development. The support that was delivered by the City to assist local businesses, local grocery stores, the Ethiopian and Filipino community centers, daycares, restaurants, Halal grocers, local cinemas, gas stations, and many more that are part of the economic engine that make up the Rainier Valley was unparalleled. Similarly, the support for housing providers at Mercy Housing, Mt. Baker Housing, and Bellwether Housing to help ensure affordable housing continued to exist was outstanding."

Alvertis Brooks Jr., Executive Director, Rainer Valley Community Development Fund
"We are deeply honored to receive this recognition as part of HUD's CDBG 50th Anniversary Award. The city's $24.7 million investment in the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund reflects a shared commitment to equitable growth and economic empowerment in Southeast Seattle. Over the years, we have proudly distributed over $100 million in loans, helping uplift local entrepreneurs, provide technical assistance, and preserve cultural diversity in one of the nation's most vibrant and diverse communities. As we continue our work, we look forward to supporting our neighborhood and others by specifically addressing the need for capital to fund businesses of color and low to moderate-income borrowers in communities directly impacted by economic development and light rail expansion. This recognition affirms our mission to preserve and strengthen cultural diversity, long-term livability, and economic opportunity for businesses of color throughout Southeast Seattle and beyond. We value the 20-year partnership the Fund has benefited from through the commitment of Mayor Bruce Harrell and all the hard-working staff at the City of Seattle." We look forward to continuing to grow the fund so that more small businesses throughout Seattle benefit from the vital work we do at the Rainier Valley Community Development Fund."

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