The City of Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) has put a call out for proposals, eyeing community organizations and transportation services ready to enhance the lives of King County's senior citizens. Announced on January 17th, a newly minted Request for Proposal (RFP) vies to inject a $600,000 lifeline into community transportation services, specifically designed to lift the mobility of older adults, as retrieved from the Human Interest Seattle website.
Funding is aimed with a laser focus on two critical areas: healthcare access, providing transportation for medical appointments and health-promoting activities, and food access, enabling older adults to reach healthy food sources such as community meal sites and grocery stores. In keeping with HSD’s mission, priority is given to clients grasping the short straw economically, particularly those without alternative means to access crucial services. Despite the benefits, aging in the comfort of one's home, mobility limitations play the cruel spoiler for many older adults isolated without reliable transportation.
This investment is driven by the urgent needs of older adults of color. A study by King County Metro Transit in May 2022 revealed that while only 5% of white riders heavily depend on Metro for transportation, the numbers are higher for people of color: 8% for African American/Black riders, 12% for Asian/Pacific Islander riders, and a significant 20% for Hispanic/Latinx riders. These statistics highlight the crucial role of transportation initiatives in supporting the independence and well-being of seniors, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds.
This RFP is not the first rodeo for HSD in facilitating community transportation programs. The department currently funds initiatives including Volunteer Transportation, Nutrition Transportation, alongside a transit fare subsidy program, and the Driving Companions Pilot. While these existing programs lay the groundwork, applicants are encouraged to think outside the box, with HSD placing no strictures on proposals needing to align with the previously mentioned programs. Potential partners roped into the RFP fray span across public transit agencies, rideshare companies, and nonprofit community transportation outfits.
Two information sessions to unravel the intricacies of the RFP will be hosted; one in-person on January 24th, and one virtual session on January 25th. Those eager to contribute to this societal fabric through transportation are invited to send their queries by February 6, 2024. Applications must be sprinted to the finish line before noon on March 6, 2024, with the clock ticking in Pacific Time. Further details, including RFP submission pointers, are a click away for interested agencies through the contact information or online portals provided by the HSD, particularly to those directed to send inquiries to Lori Mina, the Funding Process Coordinator of the division.
