Definition as it applies to Yesler Terrace redevelopment

The Citizen Review Committee has defined "Social Equity" as follows:

Human development that meets essential needs and improves the quality of life for current and future generations living within the Yesler Terrace community regardless of racial, cultural, economic or other status, through access to employment, education, medical care, social services, nutritious food and quality affordable housing, especially to those with very low incomes, and gives priority to those most in need.

• Promote a culturally and economically diverse community while continuing to prioritize the provision of housing and services for those most in need.

• Include stakeholder involvement in major decisions throughout the redevelopment process. Provide resources to improve economic, cultural and social opportunities for residents of Yesler Terrace and adjacent business and residential communities.

• Foster positive interactions throughout Yesler Terrace and the community at large regardless of social, economic or cultural distinctions by employing creative urban design and architectural techniques while avoiding segregation by income, race or other differences, and providing access to public amenities.

• Promote social equality by encouraging inclusion of complementary social, educational and health services.

• Meet the housing needs of current and future generations living within Yesler Terrace drawing from as many existing and new funding sources as possible in order to accomplish this goal.

• Preserve and expand very-low-income housing opportunities for current public-housing-eligible residents and, if possible, expand those opportunities in order to serve those who are most in need. In addition, consider redevelopment options that would guarantee no net loss of very-low-income housing serving public-housing-eligible residents on the current site of Yesler Terrace.

• Minimize impacts of displacement for residents during the redevelopment process.

• Create a neighborhood that provides recreational and educational opportunities and services for children and families.

• Utilize the city housing inventories and other resources to avoid displacement from the neighborhood.

• Establish a community governance structure that promotes involvement in decision making by all residents living within the redeveloped community.