TO: Members of the City Council
FROM: Mayor Angela Birney
CONTACT(S):
|
City Council |
Council President Vanessa Kritzer |
N/A |
|
City Council |
Councilmember Melissa Stuart |
N/A |
|
City Council |
Councilmember Osman Salahuddin |
N/A |
TITLE:
title
Allocate $250,000 of Community Stability Funding to Support Immigrants, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers
OVERVIEW STATEMENT:
recommendation
As noted in our 2025 Welcoming Week Proclamation, Redmond residents who are immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers are especially impacted by the current federal regulatory environment, facing fear, harassment, uncertainty and trauma regardless of their legal status. To better understand the current impacts in our community, Councilmembers, Mayor Birney, and staff have met with community-based organizations to better understand their immediate needs for relief and support. In addition to strengthened communication, the Councilmembers heard community leaders and their clear call for rapid response funding to support increased levels of service and resources they are providing to our immigrant community members in Redmond and address gaps caused by federal changes.
To match our commitment to a welcoming, equitable, and inclusive community with action, it is proposed that the council allocate $250,000 of funding already budgeted for community stability to an immediate needs grant round focused on support for our immigrant, refugee, and asylum-seeking community members. The proposed funding may be distributed to nonprofit organizations currently vetted and funded by the city’s human services grant program in order to support legal assistance, housing stability, food security, and other needs as a result of current immigration enforcement. This is a one-time funding disbursement in response to unprecedented needs and is not eligible for renewal. Funding should be spent to relieve the immediate needs of Redmond residents, not be used to fund ongoing staff positions, and must be exhausted no later than December 31, 2026.
body
☒ Additional Background Information/Description of Proposal Attached
REQUESTED ACTION:
☐ Receive Information ☐ Provide Direction ☒ Approve
REQUEST RATIONALE:
Respect, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Plan, Welcoming Proclamation, Resolution 1465, Redmond Community Strategic Plan, Redmond 2050
N/A
This is a council request and in response to a council priority set at the 2025 retreat. The proposal was developed in collaboration between councilmembers and the mayor.
The list of community partners receiving Human Services funding for the 2025-26 biennium.
OUTCOMES:
Redmond residents experiencing instability due to unprecedented uncertainty will have greater access to legal services, housing, and more.
COMMUNITY/STAKEHOLDER OUTREACH AND INVOLVEMENT:
- Timeline (previous or planned):
N/A
- Outreach Methods and Results:
Meetings with local community-based organizations.
Per the direction of the Council, three Councilmembers met with leaders of local community-based organizations who are supporting immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers in Redmond. Mayor Birney also met with several of the organizations. This proposal was drafted together and introduced during Council Talk Time on September 9, 2025.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Total Cost:
$250,000
Approved in current biennial budget: ☒ Yes ☐ No ☐ N/A
Budget Offer Number:
Affordable Housing Program (page 31, 225)
Budget Priority:
Vibrant & Connected
Other budget impacts or additional costs: ☐ Yes ☒ No ☐ N/A
If yes, explain:
N/A
Funding source(s):
The proposed allocation will be made from the Council’s 2025-2026 budget enhancement for community stability in the General Fund.
Budget/Funding Constraints:
This is a one-time funding disbursement in response to unprecedented needs and is not eligible for renewal. Funding should be spent to relieve the immediate needs of Redmond residents, not be used to fund ongoing staff positions, and must be exhausted no later than December 31, 2026.
☐ Additional budget details attached
COUNCIL REVIEW:
Previous Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
9/9/2025 |
Study Session |
Provide Direction |
Proposed Upcoming Contact(s)
|
Date |
Meeting |
Requested Action |
|
N/A |
None proposed at this time |
N/A |
Time Constraints:
The City of Redmond’s community-based organizations have been stretched thin serving emerging needs throughout 2025 and, in some cases, not able to meet all the immediate demands. The sooner this funding is approved, the sooner it can get to work helping lift up our community.
ANTICIPATED RESULT IF NOT APPROVED:
If not approved, Redmond residents who are immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers will continue to face gaps in service as they navigate the unprecedented federal enforcement actions.
ATTACHMENTS:
Attachment A: Councilmember Statement for Community Stability Fund Allocation
Attachment B: 2025-2026 Human Services Funding Recommendations