For the past two years, the City of Burien has leveraged federal stimulus funding through the CARES Act and partnered with local nonprofits, community leaders, and government agencies to deliver direct relief to our community, helping Burien move forward together through the COVID-19 pandemic. That relief has come in the form of the following:
Small Business Support
City staff have conducted extensive outreach including walking into businesses, helping business owners by phone and email, and advocating for policies that benefit Burien’s business community.
$850,000
in grants to 170 businesses
1,000 Hours
of outreach connecting small business owners to federal relief funding
ALSO:
- Deferment of B&O taxes and delay of new ordinances ⭐
- Curbside pick-up parking spots
- Outdoor dining permits
- Buy Local ad campaigns
- Marketing Burien in West Seattle
- Regional tourism ad campaigns
- “Eat Streets” Burien restaurant directory
⭐ Policies adopted by Burien City Council
Worker Assistance
Since Feb. 2021
hazard pay in effect for grocery workers ⭐
Community Support
City staff expanded Burien’s human services support network to help community members financially impacted by the pandemic make it through.
4K Households
received food assistance
(via Lake Burien Presbyterian Church,
Para los Niños, Alimentando al
Pueblo, and White Center Food Bank)
$425,000
distributed for rent and utility assistance
478 Families
received rent and/or utility assistance
(via Lake Burien Presbyterian Church,
Para los Niños, Southwest Youth and
Family Services, St. Vincent de Paul,
Multi-Service Center, and Catholic
Community Services)
$161,345
to cover internet access for students
(in partnership with Highline Public Schools)
29 Households
assisted with up to 4 months of childcare assistance
(via Child Care Resources)
ALSO:
- Eviction moratorium ⭐
- Assistance getting housed for those experiencing homelessness
- Youth support, including school supplies, youth leadership services, and a mural apprentice program
By leveraging regional partnerships, we’re able to maximize impact.
Keeping Community Informed
2x/month
email newsletters delivered to business and community subscribers
March 2020
launched COVID-19 resources and information section on City website, started publishing stories in Burien Magazine online in September
17,000+
followers across multiple platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube
SHOUT OUT TO OUR BURIEN COMMUNITY
The community rallied together to support local businesses, provide mutual aid, and follow public health guidelines.
Art, Recreation, and Wellness Activities
20+ Videos
health and fitness programs broadcast on the Burien TV channel
2,130
participants across 160 virtual and in-person recreation and arts programs
800
youth received activity packets at meal sites
(in partnership with Arts Corps)
974
Rec in a Box kits distributed, featuring art, fitness, mindfulness, and sports themes
350
calls to seniors and youth to assess needs and perform wellness checks
200
youth enrolled in free summer afterschool programs
Keeping Staff and Community Safe
- PPE & test kit distribution
- City employee vaccine mandate ⭐
- Virtual meetings and remote work
- Public health upgrades for facilities
