Seattle budget includes historic investment in affordable housing and public safety

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell signed the 2025-2026 biennial budget into law on Monday, marking a significant step forward for the city with an $8.3 billion allocation in overall appropriations.

The budget includes a historic investment of $685 million in affordable housing, a move aimed at addressing the city's growing housing crisis.

Other key highlights of the budget are more than $19 million dedicated to supporting youth mental health and safety outcomes for Seattle students, over $7 million in small business support, and $500,000 allocated to address and demolish dangerous vacant buildings.

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The budget includes funding for a major expansion of the Community Assisted Response and Engagement (CARE) team, which will add 23 new positions and provide services citywide every day. City leaders also committed $14.5 million to fund new health initiatives to address the fentanyl crisis and expand treatment options.

The new budget also contains several public safety initiatives that Seattle business owners have been advocating for.

The Capitol Hill neighborhood, in particular, has been at the forefront of the city's challenges with homelessness, public drug use, theft, and street racing.