Equity

The Puget Sound Regional Council is working with the Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) to develop a Regional Equity Strategy. This strategy implements the policies in VISION 2050 that work towards equitable outcomes for all. It serves as a guide for coordinated planning, and includes tools and resources that can be used to support marginalized communities within the region.

The strategy is composed of four work areas designed to support internal and external regional equity goals: Community Engagement, Data & Research, Best Practices, and Capacity Building. Learn more about PSRC's Equity Work Program (PDF).

Community Engagement

Authentic engagement with marginalized communities is imperative to developing a holistic understanding of the challenges community members face and implementing effective solutions.

Addressing Displacement in the Central Puget Sound Region (PDF) – a directory of community-based organizations in the region that are developing solutions for displacement and best practices government agencies can use to support these organizations
Equitable Engagement for Comprehensive Plans (PDF) – guidance and examples for developing and carrying out equitable engagement
Equity Advisory Committee (EAC) – committee members work with staff to co-create products as part of the Regional Equity Strategy and advise PSRC committees and policy boards on regional policies and programs through an equity lens
Summer Planning Academy (SPA) – program encourages students to think creatively about how planning can help people lead better lives with the goal of encouraging students from diverse backgrounds to consider a career in planning

Data & Research

Data helps highlight areas of concern and progress toward reaching regional equity goals.

Demographic Profile (PDF) - demographic information at the county and regional scale by race, income, language access, ability and age
Displacement Risk Mapping – data resource on residential displacement risk factors
Equity Tracker - data resource used to identify disparities between people in different communities to track performance in addressing inequities
Legacy of Structural Racism – interactive report chronicling the history of discriminatory policy making in the Puget Sound region
Opportunity Mapping – data resource on access to opportunity in neighborhoods across the region
Puget Sound Trends – brief data stories about population, transportation, economic and other trends in the central Puget Sound region
Racial Residential Segregation – resource explores residential settlement patterns across the region by race and explores various causes of racial residential segregation

Best Practices

Mitigation strategies, case studies, and resources are necessary to inform jurisdictions on how to ensure marginalized groups do not suffer from undue burdens and enjoy the benefits associated with increased growth.

Equity Planning Resources for Comprehensive Plans (PDF) – policy resources, data, and local examples of how equity could be integrated into comprehensive plans
Fair Housing Equity Assessment (PDF) – analysis and recommendations aimed at ensuring equitable access to housing and opportunity for all residents of the region
Project Selection: Equity Pilot Program (PDF) – overview of the development and implementation of the Equity Pilot Program, which explored equity-related best practices for transportation funding and resulted in changes to PSRC’s transportation funding policies to center equity
Racial Equity Impact Assessment (DOCX) (PDF) – provides a guided set of questions to systematically weave equity into policy decisions

Capacity Building

To lay the groundwork for developing equitable policies, data, and resources, PSRC has created resources and programs to help develop a deeper understanding of racial and social equity and uncover opportunities for advancing racial equity in its activities and work.

Heritage Month News – PSRC news on the topic of equity and celebrating heritage months
Joint Board Sessions on Racial Equity – workshops for staff and board members to develop a deeper understanding of racial and social equity and its role in the agency’s work

Learn More

Regional Equity Goals

All people will have the means to attain the resources and opportunities that improve their quality of life and enable them to reach their full potential. Differences in life outcomes cannot be predicted by race, class, or any other identity. Communities of color, historically marginalized communities, and those affected by poverty are engaged in decision-making processes, planning, and policy-making.

PSRC staff and board members will develop a deeper understanding of racial equity.
PSRC staff will reflect the diversity of the region we serve.
PSRC will ensure that BIPOC communities inform decision-making processes.
PSRC will center race in its work and use its various roles to advance racial equity.
PSRC will spend resources to improve racial equity outcomes.

Core Documents and Equity in Regional Plans

Core Documents

Outreach Compensation Policy and Procedures (PDF) - policy and procedures for compensating focus group or committee members that are not compensated by their employers for participating in PSRC activities
PSRC Equity Work Program (PDF) – overview of PSRC's equity work program
Regional Equity Strategy Work Plan (PDF) – initial work plan and project summary published in 2021

Equity in Regional Plans

Regional Transportation Plan 2022-2050 - Appendix F: Regional Equity Analysis (PDF) - evaluation of potential benefits and burdens of proposed transportation policies and projects on equity demographic populations
VISION 2050 Equity Briefing Paper (PDF) - background paper outlining PSRC's equity work leading up to VISION 2050
VISION 2050 Equity-Related Policies and Actions (PDF) - compiles all policies and actions for quick reference

Core Equity Team

The Core Equity Team consists of staff from each department. They provide leadership on the Regional Equity Strategy and other equity-related topics. All staff are involved in the agency's equity work.

Kathryn Johnson, Administrative Services
Robin Koskey, Communications
Kristin Mitchell, Data
Brian Lee, Data
Mary Richards, Data
Liz Underwood-Bultmann, Growth Management Planning
Charles Patton, Regional Planning
Noah Boggess, Regional Planning
Jean Kim, Transportation Planning
Gary Simonson, Transportation Planning

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