Hopelink and Futurewise have received a $20,000 federal grant to help ensure that traditionally underserved communities are engaged in the planning and development process for Sound Transit’s East Link corridor project. The 14-mile line will connect Seattle, Mercer Island, Bellevue and Redmond beginning in 2023.

The funding – through the Growing Transit Communities Equity Grant Program – will help community organizers lay the groundwork to educate and involve low-income families, people of color and immigrant and refugee communities. The funding also will pilot test a grassroots strategy to reach out to underserved communities near the Overlake stations and update them about East Link corridor planning efforts and existing transit options, while also encouraging them to become involved in the process.

Hopelink will receive $15,000 directly and serve as the fiscal sponsor for another $5,000 awarded to Futurewise, a statewide public interest group working to promote healthy communities and cities while protecting farmland, forests and shorelines today and for future generations. Also included in the partnership are the cities of Redmond and Bellevue.

The Growing Transit Communities partnership is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Sustainable Communities Regional Planning Grant Program. For more information about Growing Transit Communities, visit: http://www.psrc.org/growth/growing-transit-communities.