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Streamlining access to City affordability programs

The Need While current City benefit programs might not close the affordability gap entirely, they can help to reduce monthly expenses for Seattle residents. Most benefit programs require documentation to prove identify and income to qualify for programs. Some programs share information between them, many do not. In addition, community-based… [ Keep reading ]

Delivering an accessible and customer-friendly COVID-19 testing experience

The Need The Seattle area was the initial U.S. epicenter of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the City quickly took steps to isolate and control the virus. Our colleagues in the Seattle Fire Department developed experience conducting COVID-19 tests for first responders and Long-Term Care Facility residents and workers. Around the… [ Keep reading ]

Elevating the voice of Lyft and Uber drivers to shape policy

The Need Seattle has a long history of innovative policy making to support workers across the economic spectrum—from pioneering the $15 minimum wage for all hourly employees, to secure scheduling protections for retail and food service employees, and minimum wage protections for domestic workers. But because Uber and Lyft (referred… [ Keep reading ]

Measuring the City’s performance through residents’ eyes

“Seattle took its commitment to governing with data and evidence one step further by launching Performance Seattle, a new centralized dashboard where residents can see what their City is doing to serve their residents in seven key priority areas…Residents can now keep track of how well the City is meeting… [ Keep reading ]

Using behavioral science to increase program enrollment

With evidence from the previous pilots in hand, Seattle offered residents the option to self-certify their income in March, confident it would boost enrollment. And it has done just that, providing financial relief to those in need during an unprecedented crisis. – What Works Cities The Need Seattle’s Utility Discount… [ Keep reading ]