The Seattle City Council has adopted the 2025-2026 Biennial Budget with a notable emphasis on public safety, affordable housing, and human services. Councilmember Cathy Moore of District 5 highlighted several key budget allocations for her district, aiming to ameliorate challenges such as homelessness and public safety.
According to a press release, Moore secured "$1.9 million for the Low-Income Housing Fund" each year for 2025 and 2026, alongside "$3.3 million for rental assistance" and "$3.4 million for homeownership capital production program."
Meanwhile, in a concerted effort to directly address the homelessness crisis, the councilmember championed funding for "the creation of a seasonal winter shelter" and "non-congregate shelters" which are set to receive several million dollars over the two years, as per the Seattle City Council.
Ensuring the safety of District 5 residents has also led to investments in additional CCTV cameras along Aurora Avenue North and the establishment of North Seattle's first community safety hub. Yet, the ambition to introduce a "local 2% capital gains excise tax" for further funding was met with pushback, with the legislation promised to be revisited in early 2025, as reported by the Seattle City Council.
