2025-26 Budget Adoption

Photo of council members standing behind Mayor Bruce Harrell as he holds a pen over a document

On Nov. 21, 2024, after months of work and input from the community, both online and at public hearings, the Seattle City Council approved the 2025-26 budget. The $8.5 billion legislative package was signed into law by Mayor Bruce Harrell on Nov. 26.

“In one of the toughest budget years in recent memory, we have come together, made smart decisions, and protected the services our city depends on while making strides toward greater financial sustainability. We know the same inflation that helped cause our budget shortfall is being felt hardest by working class Seattleites. Too many are struggling to get their everyday needs met. We won’t leave them behind. This is a budget for everyone – a budget that builds towards a better, safer, more affordable Seattle for all,” noted Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Chair of the Select Budget Committee, who led the process.  

The approved budget closed a $250-million-plus deficit, while achieving record investments in affordable housing and bolstering public safety, as well as funding homelessness/human services, and the arts.

Highlights of the 2025-26 budget include: 

  • Historic investments in affordable housing and other critical assistance: $342 million investment - a nearly fivefold increase in funding to the Office of Housing since 2019. $7.1 million in additional rental assistance to help people stay housed, increased funding for food banks and meal programs to address food insecurity, and additional funding to help working-class families afford preschool. 
  • Increased public safety investments: More 911 dispatch staff, additional CCTV cameras along Aurora Avenue North and creating the first-ever community safety hub in north Seattle, funding for neighborhood safety ambassadors.   
  • Investment in housing and human services/homelessness: $3.2 million for more shelter beds, $4 million for YouthCare’s Constellation Center, $1.5 million to move RV residents into shelter, and $168,000 for transitional housing. 
  • Public Health: New funding to help address substance use disorder, including new detox and inpatient treatment beds, purchase of a mobile medication unit, and additional recovery support services. 
  • Substance use disorder treatment: $470,000 for recovery support services for severe opioid use disorder; $450,000 for a mobile medication unit for treatment access on 3rd Avenue near Pike and Pine streets, and in Little Saigon. 
  • Restoring the Storefront Repair Fund and other Small Business Support: Assistance for business owners for repair damage due to break-ins in exchange for specific public benefits; identifying resources for Black and Brown entrepreneurs at risk of displacement or struggling to access capital.  
  • Saving the Seattle Channel. Funding through 2026; seeks to establish a long-term, stable funding plan to ensure the channel’s local journalism and cultural programming continues.
  • Funding for the arts, culture, parks: $10 million for Seattle’s Black community for homeownership, youth homelessness services and more, $5 million for parks and playfields across Seattle.

Additional background 

City Council

Address: 600 Fourth Ave. 2nd Floor, Seattle, WA, 98104
Mailing Address: PO Box 34025, Seattle, WA , 98124-4025
Phone: (206) 684-8888
Phone Alt: Listen Line: (206) 684-8566
Fax: (206) 684-8587
Meet the Council

The Seattle City Council establishes City policy through enactment of ordinances (laws) and adoption of resolutions. The City Council also approves and adopts the City's budget. The nine Council members and their legislative assistants are part of the City of Seattle Legislative Department.