Launched in January 2008, the Seattle Asset Building Initiative (SABI) is a pilot project of the Seattle-King County Asset Building Collaborative (SKCABC). The overall goal of SABI is to identify and develop the most effective county-wide service delivery model that is integrated into existing service systems and designed to help clients progress on the economic security continuum.
To this end, SABI is using an innovative collaborative-based service delivery model. The project recognizes that the building blocks for an effective asset-building strategy are already in place in King County but are currently operating in a disconnected and fragmented way. The collaborative approach creates a cohesive, cross-agency service that offers project participants a “one-stop shop” to a menu of services that can be tailored for the participant’s individual goals. At its core, the model relies on the case management provided by participating case managers to determine what asset building services the participants need and the most effective way for them to access these services.
SABI targets two distinct subsidized-housing populations. Level 1 participants are recently homeless families now in supported housing. Level 2 families are near an income level that could end their housing subsidies and other supports. There are currently 25 active SABI participants.
There are over 15 agencies that have agreed to provide asset building services to SABI participants. The services these agencies provide include:
- Skills Assessment
- Career Planning
- Employment Readiness
- Job Placement & Advancement
- Job Training/Vocational Ed.
- Higher Education/Tuition Assistance
- GED/ABE/EDP
- ESL
- Financial Education
- Credit Counseling/Debt Repair
- Access to Public Benefits
- Access to Financial Services
- Housing Assistance
For more information, contact Dylan Higgins at SABI@seattlehousing.org, 206-615-3596
