Seattle’s International District to Benefit From Nearly $300,000 Aimed at Reducing Toxic Risks

People in Seattle’s International District will be better able to protect themselves from toxic chemicals thanks to a $297,000 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Elin Miller, EPA’s Regional Administrator, announced the Community Action for a Renewed Environment (CARE) grant award to the International District Housing Alliance (IDHA) today at the Chinatown Community Center. According to Miller, CARE grants are about empowering communities, especially those with environmental justice concerns.

IDHA will use the funding for outreach campaigns and studies on issues such as waste reduction, green business practices, and vehicle anti-idling. This is the second stage in grant funding for IDHA, allowing their member organizations and partners to build upon existing programs, pilot new efforts, and expand their outreach in the International District, which is one of Seattle’s oldest and most ethnically diverse neighborhoods.

"Under the first phase of the grant, the Housing Alliance and their partners were extremely successful in educating the community about toxic issues,” said Miller. “With this second grant, the partners will build on their success by providing new projects to help the community reduce their risk of exposure to everyday toxins.”

The IDHA projects will include:

* Vehicle Anti-Idling – commercial truck drivers will be encouraged to turn off their engines to reduce the amount of particulate pollution in the business district;
* reducing waste generation and increase recycling in the community;
* improving air quality by planting additional trees and greenery along a main street;
* continuing existing efforts to implement an emissions reduction campaign; and
* continuing to work with partners to educate and create sustainable designs that promote better transportation options and greener space.


IDHA’s mission is to improve the quality of life of Asian and Pacific Islanders of greater Seattle by providing services related to community-building and low income housing. Over 40 different ethnic groups live in Seattle’s International District.

EPA’s CARE program, originally launched in 2005, has grown from a network of 12 communities to nearly 50 projects. This year EPA has provided $4 million to fund CARE projects. The common theme of CARE projects is to help community groups build collaborative partnerships at the local level between residents, businesses, organizations and local and state governments.