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Dear friends and neighbors,
I announced my 2026 budget proposal this month – a plan that reflects our shared values and addresses Seattle’s greatest challenges head-on. Despite a $150 million revenue shortfall and the continued risks posed by federal funding threats, this budget prioritizes affordability, safety, homelessness solutions, and preserving the social safety net.
We are making historic progress: a record $350 million investment in affordable housing – the largest in Seattle’s history – along with new initiatives to combat displacement and expand rental assistance. This budget also doubles behavioral health responders, funds new firefighters and diversion programs, strengthens food access programs in response to federal cuts, and boosts support for immigrant and refugee communities with a 70% increase for the Office of Immigrant and Refugee Affairs.
At the same time, I have been standing firm against President Trump’s attempts to undermine Seattle. This budget reflects that fight – protecting our city from federal cuts, investing in food security, and preserving critical services from Trump’s harmful policies. And throughout this month, I’ve made clear that Seattle will not be intimidated, including standing with Attorney General Nick Brown to oppose the threat of federal troops in our city, and pushing back on the administration’s decision to withhold counterterrorism funding.
With our One Seattle values as a strong foundation, we’ve managed to achieve a lot in this budget proposal. I look forward to the partnership with Councilmembers as work together to build a city that is safe, equitable, and thriving.
Thank you,
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Bruce A. Harrell
Mayor of Seattle
Working Together to Build One Seattle
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Select highlights of investments in the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget include:
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$349.5 million investment in affordable housing, targeted at building needed affordable rental housing, housing for people exiting homelessness, and new homeownership opportunities – including $20 million for Seattle Housing Authority’s Northgate Commons redevelopment project.
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$225 million in homelessness response, including funding to open three new shelters with over 150 new non-congregate beds, building on the two new tiny home villages set to open this fall.
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$52 million for food investments, with $12 million in new additions, to increase access to healthy, nutritious foods including expanding the Fresh Bucks program and supports for food banks and farmers markets.
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$27.6 million targeted investment plan to safeguard essential services threatened by federal funding cuts, including backfilling shelter and housing vouchers, meal-access programs, and rental assistance.
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$23.6 million to support Seattle’s vibrant arts scene, including permanent funding for Hope Corps to connect local artists and creative workers to employment opportunities.
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$13.2 million in enhanced supports for small businesses, part of a more than $40 million Office of Economic Development budget, including the Seattle Restored program to fill vacant storefronts with new small businesses and the Back to Business program to support small businesses impacted by vandalism.
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$3.6 million for removeable vehicle barriers at Pike Place Market and pedestrian safety infrastructure at the Seattle Center campus in advance of the FIFA World Cup games.
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$2.7 million to start the redevelopment of the Green Lake Community Center, renovating the 100-year-old building in one complete phase as a new state-of-the-art community hub.
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$100,000 for a tree conservation easement pilot program to incentivize tree preservation on private property, building on the recent expansion of the Trees for Neighborhoods program.
 As part of back-to-school season, Mayor Harrell visited several schools and daycares, including Genesee Hill Elementary, Montlake Elementary, the Kiddie Academy, and his alma mater, Garfield High School. He shared that the energy and excitement for the new school year were palpable, with students, teachers, and staff alike ready for a great year ahead.
On the first day of school, Mayor Harrell highlighted new resources available to students across Seattle that focus on health, safety, and wellness. Building on Mayor Harrell’s August 2024 Executive Order on youth safety, the City and Seattle Public Schools have worked together over the past year to implement a three-pronged strategy — school-based measures, violence intervention and community partnerships, and law enforcement support — to promote school safety, reduce violence in and around schools, and support student mental health.
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 Mayor Harrell joined Washington State Attorney General Nick Brown and local leaders to denounce federal overreach in Portland and stand united against abuses of power. Together, they sent a clear message to President Trump: Seattle rejects these un-American actions and remains committed to protecting the rights and safety of its residents.
 Mayor Harrell joined the Refugee Artisan Initiative and community partners to break ground on their new Lake City Maker Space.
 Mayor Harrell joined local leaders and community partners to celebrate the official completion of Seattle’s new Waterfront Park with a day-long community festival. This historic, multi-billion-dollar investment — the largest collection of civic projects since the 1962 World’s Fair — is the result of decades of collaboration among the City and its partners.
 Mayor Harrell joined neighbors, community members, and local leaders to celebrate the grand opening of the Rainier Valley Food Bank— a new space where South End neighbors can come together and access fresh, healthy food!
 Mayor Harrell joined community members in West Seattle for the Peace For All Rally on the United Nations' International Day of Peace.
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 Mayor Harrell joined Tribal leaders, City officials, and community partners at the second biennial Tribal Nations Summit, a gathering where Tribal leaders engage directly with City officials to uphold sovereignty and treaty rights, strengthen government-to-government relationships, and set shared priorities for the future.
 Mayor Harrell joined with local partners to call for Sound Transit action to help better manage costs and deliver Seattle light rail expansion.
 Mayor Harrell joined DESC Seattle and public health partners to celebrate the grand opening of the city’s new post-overdose recovery center.
 Mayor Harrell joined the Consulate of Mexico in Seattle, local leaders, and community partners to celebrate the completion of Migration & Belonging, a two-year outdoor gallery featuring murals by ten Mexican and Mexican American artists. Part of the MEXAM Northwest Festival 2025, this project stems from the City’s Many Hands Arts initiative and One Seattle Graffiti Plan.
 Mayor Harrell announced the City of Seattle’s ambitious 2025-2026 AI Plan, positioning Seattle as a national leader in responsible artificial intelligence implementation to better serve residents and businesses. The announcement included updates on AI pilots and kicked off a new Community Innovation Hackathon Series in partnership with AI House.
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