The Washington Economic Justice Alliance (“the Alliance”) is a collaboration between experts with lived experience, community and tribal partners, and agencies to implement the 10-Year Plan. The Alliance brings together three related groups under a single, unified identity – the Poverty Reduction Work Group and its Steering Committee of experts with lived experience, and the Subcabinet on Intergenerational Poverty.
The Alliance’s mission is to advance policy, program and funding changes that ensure every Washingtonian can meet their basic needs, fully contribute their talents, and pass well-being on to future generations.
激進的合作
Meaningful change occurs when people and groups align towards shared goals.
The Alliance partners with people who have lived experience of poverty, community and tribal partners, and agencies to inform priorities and advance policy, program, and funding recommendations with the Governor and Legislature.
社區組織是居民之間值得信賴的機構,也是資源、服務和宣傳的中心。憑藉對他們所服務的人民和社區的直觀、實地瞭解,聯盟的社區合作夥伴——當地服務組織、勞動力發展委員會、企業、倡導團體和慈善機構——是提供解決方案和敦促採取行動解決貧困和不平等問題的重要合作夥伴。
Tribal and state agencies oversee human service programs serving millions of Washingtonians experiencing economic hardship every year. The tribal nations and state agencies involved in creating the 10-Year Plan set agendas and create strategic plans that offer opportunities for alignment to address the multidimensional ways poverty plays out in people’s lives and create accountability to outcomes.
Evidence Based Solutions
Data, research and real-life stories ground community-led solutions.
The Alliance combines numbers and research with real-life stories to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of poverty in Washington state.
Our partnership with the Just Futures Coalition is investing in community-led definitions and measures of well-being to uplift policy, program and funding solutions that invest in the wealth and richness of Washington’s diverse communities.
一致和持續的行動
Taking action together builds momentum and creates change.
Learning & Accountability
A commitment to always learn, improve and be accountable maintains trust.
The Alliance’s 10-Year Plan Action Tracker and “Being Well in Washington” data dashboard communicate actions and progress toward goals with the public. Data and actions will be routinely evaluated by our forthcoming Economic Justice Alliance Advisory Board, a forum for continuous learning, action and accountability to the 10-Year Plan.
The Alliance partners with people who have lived experience of poverty, community and tribal partners, and agencies to inform priorities and advance policy, program, and funding recommendations with the Governor and Legislature.
社區組織是居民之間值得信賴的機構,也是資源、服務和宣傳的中心。憑藉對他們所服務的人民和社區的直觀、實地瞭解,聯盟的社區合作夥伴——當地服務組織、勞動力發展委員會、企業、倡導團體和慈善機構——是提供解決方案和敦促採取行動解決貧困和不平等問題的重要合作夥伴。
Tribal and state agencies oversee human service programs serving millions of Washingtonians experiencing economic hardship every year. The tribal nations and state agencies involved in creating the 10-Year Plan set agendas and create strategic plans that offer opportunities for alignment to address the multidimensional ways poverty plays out in people’s lives and create accountability to outcomes.
The Alliance combines numbers and research with real-life stories to gain a deeper and more accurate understanding of poverty in Washington state.
Our partnership with the Just Futures Coalition is investing in community-led definitions and measures of well-being to uplift policy, program and funding solutions that invest in the wealth and richness of Washington’s diverse communities.
The Alliance’s 10-Year Plan Action Tracker and “Being Well in Washington” data dashboard communicate actions and progress toward goals with the public. Data and actions will be routinely evaluated by our forthcoming Economic Justice Alliance Advisory Board, a forum for continuous learning, action and accountability to the 10-Year Plan.
Actions taken by Alliance partners
Lowest poverty rate in the U.S.
The numbers are proving that progress to reduce poverty is possible when a critical mass of folks with diverse expertise and power align to achieve shared goals: preventing poverty, improving access to services, and promoting economic stability, mobility and wealth-building.
Explore how Alliance partners are making a difference in the lives of Washingtonians below and visit the Action Tracker to learn more.
Economic Security For All
Aligned with Strategies 1, 2, 6, and 8 in the 10-Year Plan, Economic Security for All (EcSA) is a comprehensive pro-equity, anti-racism poverty reduction program. It holistically provides each participant with a career plan, a caring coach, coordinated wraparound support service from multiple programs, $1000 per month incentive payments to stay on track with the career plan, and automatic income eligibility for the full Washington College Grant. Employment Security Department manages EcSA and local Workforce Development Boards implement it in partnership with stakeholders, agencies, and people with lived experience. EcSA is now state law, and it has moved 941 Washingtonians from poverty to economic stability, with incomes averaging over $45,000 per year.
Local Basic Income Pilots
Strategies 6 and 8 in the 10-Year Plan recommended increasing direct cash to keep people from experiencing poverty and stabilizing the economic floor for Washingtonians in an increasingly uncertain labor market. Two Alliance partners are leading direct cash pilots in Washington state.
Closing the Homeownership Gap
Strategy 3 in the 10-Year Plan notes that homeownership remains the predominant path for wealth- building in the United States, but racial discrimination throughout our history unjustly prevented BIPOC communities from becoming homeowners, leading to large disparities in homeownership and wealth between people of color and white people. A 2022 report by the Homeownership Disparities Work Group, chaired by the Department of Commerce, recommended targeted investments to improve homeownership among BIPOC Washingtonians. Thanks to the support of community leaders, advocates, and legislators, the Legislature immediately responded with a new funding source that will generate $70-$100 million annually to create the Covenant Homeownership Program, which will make an estimated 27,000 BIPOC Washingtonians eligible for down payment and closing cost assistance.
Community Reinvestment Project (CRP)
Aligned with strategies 1, 2, 3, 7, and 8 in the 10-Year Plan, the Community Reinvestment Project is a community-designed plan to uplift communities disproportionately harmed by the historical design and enforcement of criminal laws and penalties for drug possession. The goal is to create lasting economic benefits, build wealth, and ensure everyone has a fair chance at success.
CRP is expected to generate up to $1.6 billion in economic benefits for targeted communities over the next decade. With $200 million already contracted and benefiting individual households, the project remains on track to make a significant impact in the lives of Washingtonians. This includes creating jobs in partnership with diverse small businesses, offering training programs to meet workforce needs, higher self-sufficient incomes for people to support their families, helping people acquire assets like homes and new businesses, and increasing the safety of our neighborhoods through community-led projects.
“People experiencing poverty have the knowledge and expertise to guide the state toward a just and equitable future. I look forward to seeing the Alliance grow and unlock the talent and potential of all Washingtonians.”
Alliance Co-Lead
“The collaboration with Economic Justice Alliance has worked because it is anchored by a unifying purpose of honoring the lived experiences and expertise of frontline communities. The partnership rejects the narrative of & ‘we know better’ and instead embraces a collaborative ethos that recognizes the inherent dignity in every community knowing their needs best.”
Lab Leader, People’s Economy Lab
“60年來,社區行動機構一直肩負著消除貧困的原因和條件的使命,同時以生活經驗和地方領導為中心。看到 10 年計劃成為領導者從我們的網路內部崛起的平臺,真是令人難以置信。10年計劃將繼續成為WSCAP的北極星,在我們在華盛頓所做的工作中深化我們對公平和系統變革的宣導。
Executive Director, Washington State Community Action Partnership
“Solid Ground 和 Statewide Poverty Action Network 很自豪能成為華盛頓經濟正義聯盟的合作夥伴。《消除貧困十年計劃》大膽而全面,反映了低收入人群幾十年來與我們分享的內容。我們致力於建立這種強大的夥伴關係,直到我們在華盛頓州實現所有人的經濟正義。
Executive Director, Statewide Poverty Action Network
“減少貧困可以使家庭團聚,並支援健康的兒童。這是我們可以做出的最高回報投資之一,以改善華盛頓州兒童的長期結果。
Former Secretary, Department of Children, Youth & Families
“From affordable housing and energy assistance to behavioral health and early learning, the investments we make in equitable, evidence-based solutions will transform lives and entire communities.”
Former Director, Department of Commerce
“Poverty is a policy choice. We can end poverty in Washington and the 10-Year Plan is the way to do it. It’s thrilling to see the Alliance partnership working with people experiencing poverty to create social and economic conditions that would allow more Washingtonians to thrive.”
Emeritus Alliance Co-Lead
“The less people worry about affording food or rent, the more they can focus on school, work, and family”
Commissioner, Employment Security Department
“United Way of Pierce County is proud to be a part of the creation and now implementation of the 10- Year Plan in Washington state. No one organization can reduce poverty alone – creating just and equitable outcomes requires diverse stakeholders coming together. WEJA is absolutely mobilizing change because of how they’ve done their work, and United Way Pierce County has incorporated many of the strategies of the 10-Year Plan into our local efforts to lift families out of poverty and move them towards self-sufficiency.”
皮爾斯縣聯合勸募會首席執行官兼總裁
“Less poverty is an economic win for the state, but the peace of mind economic stability gives families is priceless.”
Director, Department of Revenue
“Economic justice is health justice. Poverty is such a pressing public health concern because it keeps people from achieving the optimal health all of us need. When we work together to reduce poverty, we without a doubt improve the health and well-being for all Washingtonians.”
Former Secretary of Health
該聯盟的靈感來自這樣一種理念,即貧困的對立面不是財富,而是公正和公平的條件,使每個人都能充分發揮其潛力。當被問及時,許多華盛頓人都同意——經濟正義不是關於富有,而是關於健康:
“Economic justice is when working full-time guarantees the ability to afford food and rent.”
“Economic justice is not having to choose between taking your kid to see a doctor or pay your utilities.”
“Economic justice is not about being rich, it’s about being well.”
“Economic justice is the freedom to thrive no matter what you look like, where you live, or who you love.”
“Economic justice is when working full-time guarantees the ability to afford food and rent.”
“Economic justice is not having to choose between taking your kid to see a doctor or pay your utilities.”
“Economic justice is not about being rich, it’s about being well.”
“Economic justice is the freedom to thrive no matter what you look like, where you live, or who you love.”
Curious about what economic justice really looks like? Click the video to hear powerful stories and insights from our Alliance members as they share what economic justice means to them.
Your voice matters! Join the conversation and tell us what economic justice means to you.
The Alliance has set a foundation for the considerable work that remains. Too many hard working Washingtonians are still struggling to make ends meet and gaps in well-being for rural families, the 2SLGBTQIA+ community, children, women and people of color remain too large. Official poverty rates for Washington state are trending in the right direction, but fail to capture the full story. Better, up-to-date cost-of-living measures that take into account basic household expenses and the impact of inflation, of inflation – like the Supplemental Poverty Measure, Self-Sufficiency Standard and ALICE 2 – show untenable and unacceptable economic hardship above the poverty line for people from all communities.
What’s in the soil bears the fruit. Investing in the 10-Year Plan and creating healthy community conditions that make it easier for hard working Washingtonians to make ends meet – like jobs that pay family-sustaining wages, a fair tax system, high quality education for students of all ages, and affordable child care and housing – would allow more children, families and communicates to reach their full potential and thrive.
COST-OF-LIVING MEASURES VS. OFFICIAL POVERTY MEASURE 2 Washington State
Cost-of-living measures show a lot more Washingtonians struggling to make ends meet with incomes above the official poverty measure.
Are you passionate about economic justice? Doing innovative work to reduce poverty in your community? Interested in the Alliance’s work?
Join us in creating a Washington state free of poverty and full of accessible opportunity for generations to come.
We are grateful to all the people and organizations who contributed to and make up the Economic Justice Alliance.
Special thanks to the Annie E. Case Foundation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Kresge Foundation, Washington State Employees Credit Union, and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for your generous support of Washington state’s poverty reduction and economic justice efforts.
1 SOURCE: The Alliance uses 3-year pooled 2018-2023 American Community Survey data from the U.S. Census to report state trends in the official poverty rate and 5-year pooled 2018-2022 data to report trends for demographic groups (e.g., age, race, ethnicity) and sub-state geographic regions (e.g. counties, cities and zip codes). Updated 5-year data will be released by the U.S Census in December 2024.
2 NOTE: Data for the ALICE measure is at the household-level, whereas data for the measures are at the person-level. The data shown are the latest data for each of the measures. The latest data for ALICE and Self-Sufficiency Standard are from 2022, and the latest data for the Supplemental Poverty Measure and the Official Poverty Measure are from 2023.
3 SOURCES: 2021,2022, and 2023 3-Year Average of Current Population Survey, Annual Social Economic Supplements, U.S. Census Bureau 2022 Washington State Dataset, Self-Sufficiency Standard at the Center of Women’s Welfare, University of Washington 2022 ALICE Threshold, United for ALICE Research Center