The Redmond City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to allocate $250,000 from its community stability fund for an “immediate needs” grant round to support immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers.
Council President Kritzker moved the allocation and the council approved the measure 7-0.
The council directed the Human Services division to distribute one-time grants to organizations that already receive city human-services funding and to allow subcontracting arrangements so community groups that did not secure a regular contract this year can participate (for example, by providing legal clinics or “Know Your Rights” trainings). The memo accompanying the item says grants must be expended by Dec. 31, 2026.
Why it matters: Council members said the funding is a rapid, targeted response to increased community need tied to immigration enforcement and to reports from local nonprofits of rising demand for legal assistance, housing stabilization and emergency support.
"As we know, more than 40% of those who live in Redmond were born outside of The U.S., and many more identify as immigrants," Council President Kritzker said as he introduced the motion. "These organizations have been going above and beyond to help community members in need."
Council members who spoke in support described the allocation as a time-sensitive measure to get help to residents who face immediate legal, housing or food-security crises. Councilmember Salahuddin said the grants respond to "legal assistance, housing stability, food security, and other needs as a result of current immigration enforcement." Councilmember Stewart thanked staff for moving quickly and urged prompt disbursement.
The council also noted coordination with nearby cities: staff said Kirkland passed a similar allocation two weeks earlier and has offered to share application materials to reduce duplicate work for providers.
What the allocation covers and limits: The funding round is one-time only and not eligible for renewal through this action. Human Services staff will use the city’s existing grant processes and the work already done to vet providers; the council asked staff to permit subcontracting so community organizations that did not receive annual city contracts can partner with existing contractors to deliver services.
Next steps: Staff will issue application materials and work to quickly distribute awards. Council President Kritzker and members of the subcommittee said they expected an expedited timeline and asked for a report back to council on funded organizations and outcomes.
Action: Motion to allocate $250,000 (mover: Council President Kritzker; second: "Second" recorded in the meeting transcript), roll-call vote passed 7-0.
Ending: Council members described the funding as a fast, short-term intervention to give local nonprofits capacity to respond to urgent needs while the city and partners consider longer-term approaches.