Healthy Community

Why is a healthy community important for sustainability?

The City recognizes that each community member needs to have a sense of belonging, support in their community, and access to opportunities that fulfill the basic needs of life. Being inclusive means demonstrating a recognition that our community is enriched by people from a diversity of racial and ethnic groups and faith traditions and from all socioeconomic levels.

How was Kirkland doing before adopting the Sustainability Master Plan?

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  The City addresses basic human services needs through regional facilitation and a grant program supporting local nonprofits.
• The City has issued a Proclamation of Kirkland being a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place for all people and a supporting Ordinance prohibiting City staff from inquiring about immigration status unless required by law, and signed on as a member city to the Welcoming America Network and Cities for Citizenship.

What key healthy community goals are included in the Sustainability Master Plan?

Key healthy community goals include:

• Increase access to fresh food through more community gardens and farmers markets
• Reduce how much potable water people use
• Address homelessness
• Support and include immigrants and refugees
• Foster community leadership, especially among historically unrepresented groups
• Make Kirkland an inclusive, welcoming place for all
• Dismantle institutional and structural racism
• Expand housing options for all income levels
• Expand recreation options and ensure we’re providing the facilities wanted by the public

How can the community help meet these goals?

• Participate in racial equity workshops and community initiatives
• Use less water by growing drought tolerant plants and follow best watering practices
• Harvest rainwater for use in your garden
• Add an Accessory Dwelling Unit on your property to provide more housing options
• Volunteer for local organizations working for environmental justice and a healthy community
• Advocate for code updates and policy changes that make progress towards identified goals with the Planning Commission, Human Services Commission, and City Council