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HSD Announces RFQ Awards for Expanded Neighborhood Outreach

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced funding awards to three outreach agencies—REACH, Seattle Indian Center, and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle—in response to the 2021 Expanding Neighborhood-Specific Outreach Expedited Request for Qualifications (RFQ). The cumulative awards total will equal $768,000 and add seven full time equivalent employees (FTEs) in underserved neighborhoods in Seattle: three FTEs covering West Seattle, Delridge, South Park, and Rainier Valley vicinities; two FTEs in the Lake City Vicinity; and two FTEs in Northwest Seattle. 

Today, the Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) announced funding awards to three outreach agencies—REACH, Seattle Indian Center, and Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle—in response to the 2021 Expanding Neighborhood-Specific Outreach Expedited Request for Qualifications (RFQ).

A young man kneels on the sidewalk and holds a small cat while speaking with a man sitting on the sidewalk with a cardboard sign asking for help.
Photo by Zac Durant on Unsplash

The cumulative awards total will equal $768,000 and add seven full time equivalent employees (FTEs) in underserved neighborhoods in Seattle: three FTEs covering West Seattle, Delridge, South Park, and Rainier Valley vicinities; two FTEs in the Lake City area; and two FTEs in Northwest Seattle.

This RFQ funding process was a competitive, closed process, open only to homeless outreach and engagement programs with existing HSD contracts.

Funding for the RFQ is allocated from one-time dollars from the General Fund to hire additional outreach workers who are representative of BIPOC communities. The FTEs will expand homeless outreach services to neighborhoods with growing needs and will address the complex needs of individuals experiencing homelessness including accessing shelter, behavioral health services, and substance use disorder resources. The newly funded homeless outreach FTEs are contracted from March 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. 

Funding from this RFQ is allocated as follows: 

Agency   FTEs  RFQ Award Amounts  Neighborhoods  
 REACH   3  $329,144.00  (2) West Seattle, Delridge, South Park, and Rainier Valley vicinities;  (1) Northwest Seattle   
Seattle Indian Center   2  $219,428.00  (2) Lake City vicinity    
Urban League of Metropolitan Seattle   2  $219,428.00  (1) West Seattle, Delridge, South Park, and Rainier Valley vicinities;  (1) Northwest Seattle  

Homeless outreach and engagement providers work in partnership with the City of Seattle’s HOPE Team to provide a strategic and comprehensive scope of services to unsheltered individuals living in Seattle.