City of Seattle, WA

10/30/2024 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/30/2024 20:58

Councilmember Cathy Moore’s major budget priorities included in balancing package

Today Seattle CouncilmemberCathy Moore (District 5) praised the recently released budget chair balancing package and highlighted several district priorities that were included in the proposal.

"Affordable housing, human services and public safety continue to be of critical importance for District 5 neighborhoods and Seattle as a whole," said Councilmember Moore. "I want to thank Chair Strauss for his collaborative work on this package and including several of my key priorities for this budget. I look forward to hearing more from the community as we head into the final stages of the budget process."

Below are some of the priorities that Councilmember Moore supported including in the balancing package:

Housing

  • An increase in rental assistance to keep people from becoming unhoused as well as to assist with rent arrears.
  • Restoring funding for Home Ownership development via the homeownership capital production program.
  • Funding two new tiny house villages.
  • Requesting that Seattle Department of Construction & Inspections in consultation with the Human Services Department report on utilization of the rental registry for proactive eviction prevention.

Human Services

  • Creating and/or expanding the current number of Emergency Receiving Center beds for individuals escaping commercial sexual exploitation (CSE) and pursue a new North Seattle facility
  • Increasing the dollars available to community-based organizations to work with SPD to provide safety and support services to CSE survivors.
  • Funding the She-clinic at Aurora Commons.
  • Restoring hunger prevention funding.

Public Safety

  • Extending police crime prevention cameras to 85th to 95th and 130th to 145th in District 5.
  • Creating a new safety hub dedicated to North Seattle.
  • Creating a paid position to support the efforts of the Seattle Police Department's 30×30 initiative to help recruit and maintain women police officers.

Still More We Can Do

Additional budget amendments are due this upcoming Friday, Nov. 1 at noon. Councilmember Moore is currently exploring the following items for inclusion in the final adopted budget.

Housing

  • Ensure there is at least $10 million available in a dedicated rental assistance fund.
  • Preserve dedicated funding in the payroll expense tax for housing.
  • Reorganize and request information related to streamlining rental assistance dollars for more efficient deployment.
  • Create a position dedicated to the Office of Civil Rights' housing tester program that ensures Seattle housing providers are in compliance with the city's rental regulations.

Human Services

  • Funding for a Seasonal Weather Shelter in North Seattle to offer consistent operating hours during winter and summer months.
  • Create more requirements for Permanent Support Housing providers to ensure that residents receive quality care and that organizations are compliant with their good neighbor agreements.

Public Safety

  • Create a community safety coordinator position for Lake City.
  • Increase Public Safety Efforts for Aurora Avenue businesses and neighborhoods.

Additional Investments

  • Restore the funding to see the north Aurora Community Plan come to fruition.
  • Ensure that the Pinehurst Underground Cable Replacement is funded next year to prevent the frequent power outages the community experiences.

Next steps

The budget chair's proposal serves as the foundation of the Council's budget deliberations in the weeks ahead. The amendment process will begin on Nov. 13. Additional information on the 2025-26 budget process, including the full committee calendar, can be found on the council website.

Make your voice heard

To provide feedback to the Mayor's proposed budget, Chair Strauss's balancing package, or share with council what you hope/want/need to see included in the adopted budget, here are some ways to share your input:

  • Email all 9 Seattle City Councilmembers at [email protected]
  • Give Public Comment either virtually or in-person at any of the following meetings:
  • Wednesday, Oct. 30 at 9:30 a.m. at the Select Budget Committee
  • Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 5 p.m. at the Council's Budget Public Hearing
  • Wednesday, Nov. 13at 9:30 a.m. at the Select Budget Committee
  • Thursday, Nov. 21at 2 p.m. at the City Council meeting

Visit this website to learn more about how to sign up for public comment: Public Comment - Council | seattle.gov