Equity in Port of Seattle COVID-19 Response 
Principles and Potential Strategies 

Port of Seattle 
Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion 
4.22.2020 













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Background and Purpose 
The COVID-19 global pandemic is an unprecedented public health emergency that is causing
enormous economic and human costs and has significantly impacted the Port of Seattle. The
Port has been fully engaged in crisis response, as the pandemic has caused and is anticipated to
continue causing, extreme disruptions to Port operations and finance. 
On April 1, 2020, the Port of Seattle Commission approved an immediate, short-term
emergency financial relief package focused on airport businesses, that provided rent deferral
and barred evictions of tenants due to inability to pay rent. Forthcoming measures will also
provide financial relief for tenants and partners in the Port's maritime and real estate work. The
Commission also approved a set of principles to guide a longer-term economic recovery plan, to
be developed by the end of April 2020.1 
The Commission motions included directives that equity should be integrated into the Port's
COVID-19 response and economic recovery plan, stating: 
The Port commits to values of equity, justice and inclusion in the COVID-19 crisis
response, from immediate response to longer-term recovery. In developing recovery
plans, the Port will ensure that principles of equity, justice, inclusion, transparency, and
accountability are embraced. The Port will engage communities who are most impacted
to understand their needs. 
The Port shall consider its fiscal, legal and equity responsibilities in all decisions made
when applying these principles.2 
These efforts shall also follow the Port's principles of supporting regional economic
vitality, environmental stewardship, equity and inclusion.3 
Guided by the Commission's directives, the purpose of this document is to provide a set of core
principles and specific actions the Port can take to integrate equity into its COVID-19 response. 

1 Port of Seattle Motion 2020-06, "A Motion of the Port of Seattle Commission to provide guidance for Port
leadership in prioritizing Port investments to assist local, regional, and statewide economic recovery from the
COVID-19 pandemic." Port of Seattle Motion 2020-07, "A Motion of the Port of Seattle Commission to provide
immediate relief and support to Port employees and Port tenants and concessionaires." 
2 Port of Seattle Motion 2020-06. 
3 Port of Seattle Motion 2020-07. 
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Equity and Crisis Response 
Communities of color and other marginalized communities tend to be more vulnerable
throughout all phases of a large scale public crisis or disaster, from preparedness to immediate
response to longer-term recovery. Inequities include: 
Pre-existing factors including environmental racism and economic inequality make
marginalized communities more vulnerable to crises in the first place. 
Marginalized people tend to be less prepared and underrepresented in crisis response,
and often face greater difficulties recovering. 
They face multiple barriers accessing resources and support, including access to
accurate information, and difficulties navigating complex systems of public. 
Needs of communities with more political power and voice are often prioritized over
those with less. 
Vulnerable families may be identified too late instead of planned for and
accommodated in advance. 
Service providers may not be representative of the communities most in need of
services, and/or are not culturally competent. 
Increased prices due to price gouging may make basic necessities inaccessible to people 
who cannot afford to pay the increased price.4 
Recognizing these inequities, crisis response should "account for the needs of all people.
Emergency response and relief practices must benefit everyone while also accounting for the
specific needs of vulnerable populations."5 
The response "cannot just band-aid the immediate damageor put things back to the way
they were beforeefforts must advance a long-term vision for our communities that puts
justice at the core."6 
Just as crisis response can "deepen inequality, [it] also provides an opportunity to improve the
conditions that existed before the disaster occurred. This is a just recoveryone that accounts
for and addresses the underlying problems."7 

4 "In the Eye of the Storm: A People's Guide to Transforming Crisis & Advancing Equity in the Disaster Continuum",
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) 
5 Ibid 
6 Ibid 
7 Ibid 
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Core Principles 
The Port's Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (OEDI) has developed the following set of
core principles, intended to complement the Commission's directives on COVID-19 response,
and to further elaborate on how equity can be integrated into the Port's response. 8 
1.  Integrate Values of Equity and Inclusion 
This principle includes explicitly committing to values of equity, justice and inclusion
throughout the stages of crisis response, from immediate relief to longer-term recovery.
The Commission's directives for COVID-19 establish a foundation for these values to be
implemented throughout the response and into long-term planning for future crises. 9 
2.  Prioritize the Most Vulnerable 
An equitable response should engage those who are more adversely impacted and prioritize 
help to them. For the Port, vulnerable stakeholders are both internal (employees) and
external (small businesses/vendors/contractors, and vulnerable communities). 
3.  Mitigate Economic Loss 
Small businesses are being drastically affected by the pandemic, as they experience major
loss of revenue, and risk loan defaults, evictions, laying off workers, and/or shutting down.
The Port has expressed a strong interest in supporting the economic viability of its business
partners. It can do so equitably by doing so with a priority on those owned by and/or with
workers from disproportionately impacted communities. 
4.  Ensure Language and Cultural Competence 
Language and cultural competence barriers are exacerbated in a crisis. When vulnerable
communities cannot access timely and accurate information, they often are unable to voice
their needs, avail themselves of public assistance, or follow directives from public agencies.
The Port can address this for its stakeholders who experience these barriers. 
5.  Support Community-based Organizations 
Trusted community-based organizations provide essential direct support to vulnerable
communities and can be important partners in crisis response. The Port already has
numerous community partnerships that can be leveraged to support equitable efforts. 
8 Adapted from "Recommendations for Philanthropy and Policy Makers", National Coalition for Asian Pacific
Islander American Community Development (CAPACD) and "Principles for Equitable Crisis Response", in
Movement Generation's "Principles for A Just Recovery" 

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Strategies for an Equitable Response 
Given the scope of its operations, the Port has a significant impact on vulnerable individuals and communities among its stakeholder
groups that include small business owners, employees and Port-impacted communities. In its response to the pandemic, the Port
has an opportunity and responsibility to ensure equitable impact for those most vulnerable. 
The following section includes specific measures in the Port Commission's directives and describes how each can be implemented
equitably. The recommendations are grouped into two sections that align with the Commissions's directives: 1. Immediate relief
(Motion 2020-07), and 2. Longer-term recovery (Motion 2020-06). 
Immediate Relief: Motion 2020-07 
Provisions in Port Commission Directive                         Strategies for Equitable Implementation 
Port Tenants and Concessionaires  deferred rent and no      Prioritize tenants who are disproportionately impacted 
evictions                                                            economically and/or have disproportionately greater
challenges, such as operators of color, first-time business
"authorizes the Executive Director to implement immediate           operators or those with less business experience/capacity,
financial relief to Port tenants and concessionaires."                      those with less English proficiency, and/or those with less
"tenants and residents at Port of Seattle facilities shall not be           ability to navigate and secure other sources of financial
evicted for inability to pay rent through June 30, 2020."                   assistance. 
Two-month deferral of rent and fees for six groups of airport         Focus especially on workers in airport dining and retail, and
operators: airlines, airport dining and retail, rental cars, remote
ground transportation. 
parking, ground transportation, and non-aeronautical properties. 
Evaluate for possible extension of two-month deferrals.              Consider targeted strategies for the most vulnerable, such as
longer deferrals or eviction bans. 

Port Employees  workplace support policies                  Prioritize employees who are most economically vulnerable,
occupy the lowest tiers of pay, and/or have disproportionately
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"review and enact workplace policies that enhance the ability of       greater home/family challenges such as childcare, care for
employees to care for themselves and their families while               elderly family members. 
continuing to provide the work essential to Port operations.
Priority shall be given to maintaining employment and benefits to    Consider targeted strategies for the most vulnerable, such as
the greatest extent possible." 
more support and/or for longer duration. 

Port Employees, Tenants, and Employees of Tenants -         Prioritize tenants who are disproportionately impacted 
assistance finding relief from other sources                       economically and/or have disproportionately greater
challenges, such as operators of color, first-time business
"The Port will develop an outreach program for its tenants, their         operators or those with less business experience/capacity,
employees, and port employees, to facilitate their ability to access       those with less English proficiency, and/or those with less
local, state and federal relief resources."                                   ability to navigate and secure other sources of financial
assistance. 
Prioritize employees who are most economically vulnerable,
occupy the lowest tiers of pay, and/or have disproportionately
greater home/family challenges such as childcare, care for
elderly family members. 

Provide help throughout the process of applying for assistance, 
including understanding eligibility, navigating processes,
collecting documentation and completing applications. 
Ensure Port communication and services are linguistically and
culturally competent, including use of plain English and
avoiding technical terminology and jargon. 
For translation and interpretation, provide relevant context and
subject matter information to language professionals so they
can translate and interpret accurately. 
Employ multiple communication methods to reach diverse
communities, including engaging trusted community leaders,
community-based organizations and/or ethnic media. 
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When using technology for communication, consider who has
access and who doesn't, and address barriers for those who
lack access to technology. 
Longer-term Recovery: Motion 2020-07 
Principles in Port Commission Directive                          Strategies for Equitable Implementation 
Port Tenants and Concessionaires 
Prioritize tenants who are disproportionately impacted 
"The Executive Director may consider proposing adjusted agreement terms       economically and/or have disproportionately greater
in a manner that serves the financial interests of both the Port and its             challenges, such as operators of color, first-time
tenants and concessionaires. The Executive Director shall consider                business operators or those with less business
prioritizing:                                                                              experience/capacity, those with less English
proficiency, and/or those with less ability to navigate
Businesses that are directly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and
and secure other sources of financial assistance. 
the restrictions that have been implemented to address it; 
Businesses that can commit to being available to provide services and
generate revenue;                                                       Consider targeted strategies for the most vulnerable,
Businesses who are not otherwise eligible for significant state or              such as more flexibility in adjustment of terms,
federal economic relief;                                                         targeted adjustments, and/or longer duration of special
Small and diverse businesses;                                             terms. 
Independent contractors, hourly-wage workers, "gig workers", and
artists and craftsman who do not otherwise have access to basic
economic safety nets; and 
Non-profit organizations and not-for-profit tenants." 

Port Employees                                                   Identify potential inequities in telework and leave
policies and address. 
"The Port shall continue to protect the health, safety and well-being of our
employees and will maximize teleworking policies and leave policies.          If/when jobs need to be furloughed or eliminated,
consider equity in decision making of who is impacted. 
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The Executive Director shall consider steps to keep our workforce employed
such as deferring hiring of new and replacement positions, flexible leave       If/when new jobs or assignments are identified, 
without pay options, and reduced hours over reduction in the workforce.         consider equity in decision making of who is selected. 
In addition, the Executive Director shall determine whether new skill-
In identifying needs for new skill-building and
building and educational resources for employees are necessary to
transition employees to new career pathways. The Executive Director shall       educational resources for new career pathways,
take into consideration the Port's represented employees and their unique        prioritize employees who are most economically
needs.                                                                               vulnerable, occupy the lowest tiers of pay, and/or have
disproportionately greater home/family challenges 
Youth employment: The Executive Director shall offer youth internships to        such as childcare, care for elderly family members. 
provide to the extent possible a short-term boost to the economy, support
the most vulnerable and underserved communities, and continue its
strategic investment in the Port's workforce of the future. Where possible,
the Port should consider youth whose parents have lost employment as a
result of the COVID-19 pandemic." 

Capital Programs                                                    If/when criteria for economic impact and equity impact
are applied, weight equity impact at least equal to
"The Executive Director shall evaluate project assumptions for all capital          economic impact. 
projects approved prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Director
shall determine which projects shall be postponed, accelerated or phased,     Within the prioritization of small businesses and
and consider the following principles when making decisions: 
WMBEs, consider prioritizing those who are
Maximize economic impact: Prioritize projects that generate significant           disproportionately impacted economically and/or have 
economic activity  not only construction-related employment and spend,        disproportionately greater challenges, such as first-time
but also projects that, once completed, will facilitate key drivers of regional       business operators or those with less business
economic activity such as trade, fishing, tourism and travel.                       experience/capacity, those with less English
proficiency, and/or those with less ability to navigate
Diversity in Contracting: Prioritize capital programs that have high                and secure other sources of financial assistance. 
utilization rates for woman and minority owned businesses consistent with
the Diversity in Contracting Policy Directive. 

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Small Business Enterprises: Prioritize projects that provide opportunities for
small business." 

Economic Development and Community Investment Programs        When identifying "partnerships to maximize funding
impact", look at not only those focused on economic
"The Executive Director shall consider the following principles when               development, but also those that create equitable
making decisions about economic development and community investment      impacts, such as funding collaborations like the COVID-
programs:                                                                    19 Response Fund led by the Seattle Foundation or
other local relief funds. 
Existing Grant and Community Benefit Programs: Prioritize community
investments using existing programs such as the Economic Development
Partnership Program, Tourism Marketing Support Program, Duwamish       Continue work to integrate equity into existing
Valley Community Equity Program, the South King County Fund and others.      community benefit programs such as the South King
County Fund. 
Partnerships to Maximize Funding Impact: Identify partnerships and
coordinate efforts to create multiplier effects of Port funding. For example,    Fund and enlist community organizations the Port has
the Executive Director can leverage Washington Department of Commerce       partnered with to engage in crisis response support,
economic recovery investments that create near-term economic activity;         with a priority to those that are in and serve
expand on regional transportation investments that support the region's         communities of color. 
trade and travel needs; leverage city and statewide tourism promotional
programs; and address long-term infrastructure needs." 

Long-term Preparedness                                           Use the COVID-19 experience to build policy and
operational mechanisms for future crisis responses,
"The Port of Seattle Commission is focused on the Port's responsibility to          including templates for policy directives, tools for
plan strategically and proactively for how to help our region during this           equitable rapid-response, and tools for monitoring
crisis and guide its recovery once it is over. As a public agency that provides       effectiveness of response and equity impacts. 
essential services to facilitate our economy, the Port is uniquely positioned
to be a key driver of economic recovery. The Port's roles in the
transportation of people and goods, economic development, tourism
promotion, workforce development, trade and travel facilitation,
environmental remediation, youth employment and equitable inclusion are
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all essential tools that are needed to help workers, businesses, local
residents and the overall economy." 













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