Resolution 6396 - Laserfiche WebLink

Page 7 of 19 PROJECT ELEMENTS,TASKS,AND SCHEDULE The Growing Transit Communities detailed work plan is divided into five elements: Element A—Regional Equity Network; Element B—TOD Compacts and Corridor Action Strategies; Element C—Catalyst Projects; Element D—Innovative Tools and Analysis; Element E—Grant Administration and Support ELEMENT A: Regional Equity Network This program presents a significant opportunity to advance social equity in the central Puget Sound region. Social equity means that all people, regardless of where they live,their race, background, or income, have access to affordable,quality housing and transportation options that meet their needs. Residents have access to good jobs,quality education, healthy food, safe neighborhoods, parks, services, and other resources that improve quality of life. Social equity includes low- income families and communities of color as active participants in creating equitable development strategies in order to benefit from growth through increased economic and social opportunities. To seize this opportunity, a regional social equity network is created to link local,community-based organizations which have been working on a number of equity issues in their neighborhoods for years. These high capacity community development corporations and other nonprofits have strong records of accomplishment addressing affordable housing, land use,zoning, economic development, access to transportation, public safety, health, and education in their neighborhoods. While these organizations produce significant results on behalf of their local communities,their effectiveness can be limited by decisions made at higher levels and without their input. The value added through this program is to link these organizations across jurisdictions and in each county and better ensure that all are at the table developing transit oriented development(TOD) and light rail corridor action strategies that will benefit their existing low- income and minority communities. Their voices will be present at the table developing policies and strategies to link the local to the regional and better ensure equitable development. Task A: Create a Regional Equity Network. Provide staff capacity to organize and support affected low-moderate income and communities of color in neighborhoods and communities associated with LINK light rail transit corridors. Provide funding for professional services and technical assistance to support identified stakeholders and groups as they engage in corridor and station area planning. Form and coordinate an Equity Network Steering Committee to help build the Equity Network.The Committee will be comprised of stakeholders and community groups recruited from throughout the region with missions that include serving low-moderate income communities,communities of color and/or underserved communities.The role of the Equity Network will be to ensure that an equity framework is used in all aspects of the Growing Transit Communities program funded through this grant through interaction with other project committees,task forces and working groups, and through direct engagement with the public.The Equity Network Steering Committee will administer approximately 30 subgrants to non-profit organizations working in neighborhoods in transit corridors. These funds will support the development of policies and plans that address social equity concerns in existing communities. Funds will also support outreach and organizing in communities of color and/or diverse communities that are impacted by transportation investments so that they can effectively be involved in policy development and planning efforts. Subgrants will help facilitate linkages between community-based organizations and land use and transportation planning and decision-making. • Task Al: Form and support a regional Equity Network. Identify and recruit stakeholders to participate on Central Puget Sound Sustainable Communities Consortium Steering Committees, Corridor Task Forces and Working Groups (May-June 2011) • Task A2: Work with community groups in corridors and station areas to define equitable development needs. Build capacity of local community leaders to participate in Corridor Action Strategy processes. (June-November 2011) • Task A3: Release Request for Proposals (RFP);finalize evaluation criteria for equity sub-grants(annually) (September 2011;September 2012) Page 7 Cooperative Agreement Instrument No.WARIP0042-10