City of Seattle

Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle’s new mayor, making history as the first woman to hold the position. Wilson, a longtime community activist and former city council member, campaigned on a platform of affordable housing, public safety reform, and environmental sustainability. Her focus is on ...

The City of Seattle is seeking applicants for the Seattle Social Housing Developer Board, a new entity aimed at addressing housing affordability and preventing displacement. This board will oversee the development of social housing projects and ensure they meet community needs. Applicants are enc...

Mayor Bruce Harrell announced the allocation of $27.8 million to community organizations through Seattle’s Equitable Development Initiative (EDI). This funding aims to support projects that promote community-driven development, racial equity, and economic opportunity for marginalized communities....

The Federal Way Link Extension project is advancing, with significant milestones achieved recently. The Sound Transit Board has approved the final design and budget, allowing construction to commence. This extension will add approximately 7.8 miles of light rail from the Angle Lake Station in Sea...

On Thanksgiving Day, the City of Seattle’s Community Connect Resource System (CCRS) helped connect individuals experiencing homelessness with essential services, including shelters and hot meals. The initiative aimed to ensure that those in need could access warm meals and a safe place to stay du...

The Seattle Office of Labor Standards (OLS) has reached a settlement with Handy Technologies, an online platform providing home services, over violations of the Domestic Workers Ordinance. The OLS alleged that Handy failed to comply with the city’s labor laws, impacting domestic workers’ rights. ...

The Seattle Home Fair 2025 has launched its learning sessions, now available online. These sessions aim to provide valuable information and resources for residents interested in homeownership, housing stability, and community engagement. Participants will have the opportunity to attend a variety ...

November brought a series of updates related to community engagement and development initiatives in Seattle. Key highlights include the release of the latest edition of the Building Connections newsletter, featuring articles on various projects that promote accessibility and inclusion. The newsle...

Mayor Bruce Harrell signed the City of Seattle’s 2026 budget into law, amounting to $8.9 billion, with $2 billion allocated for General Fund priorities. The budget, which passed unanimously by the City Council, emphasizes significant investments in affordable housing, public safety, and essential...

The annual Pathway of Lights at Green Lake Park is set for Saturday, Dec. 13, 2025, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. This free winter event invites families to enjoy a magical stroll along the illuminated paths and docks, adorned with thousands of candles. Attendees can savor complimentary refreshments and...

Over 8,800 food boxes were distributed to families at 98 Seattle Public Schools sites following the lapse of federal funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) on Nov. 1, 2025. This funding halt, due to the Trump administration’s refusal to release contingency funds during a...

More than $1 million in emergency food assistance has been allocated to Seattle food banks and meal programs due to the disruption of SNAP benefits on Nov. 1 amid a federal shutdown. Mayor Bruce Harrell declared a limited civil emergency, allowing the city to provide $1 million weekly to agencies...

Seattle police arrested a 30-year-old violent felon armed with a machete during proactive patrols in the Chinatown-International District on Nov. 25, 2025. Officers recognized the man, who had outstanding warrants, while patrolling 12th Avenue South and South King Street at 2 a.m. When detained, ...

The Seattle City Council has adopted the 2026 budget, emphasizing support for a thriving and inclusive business ecosystem. The budget aims to attract new industries and assist local businesses in growth and innovation while addressing economic disparities. Key initiatives funded by the Office of ...

The City of Seattle’s Tabor 100 Hub will host office hours in December 2025 for individuals interested in doing business with the city, particularly women- and minority-owned businesses. Staff from the Department of Finance and Administrative Services will be available for consultations without t...

African American Reach and Teach Health Ministry (AARTH), founded in 2002 by African American faith leaders, addresses cultural gaps in health education and advocacy within Seattle’s Black communities. Amid ongoing health disparities and mistrust of mainstream health systems, AARTH serves as a cu...

Mayor Bruce Harrell has officially ended the limited civil emergency declared on Oct. 30 due to uncertainties surrounding Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funding amid a federal government shutdown. The emergency measures included $3 million in emergency food assistance to support...

Founded in 2017, the yəhaw̓ Indigenous Creatives Collective is an intertribal community of Indigenous artists focused on enhancing mental and emotional health through art and community engagement. Initially a pop-up art project, it has evolved into a hub for Indigenous creatives, facilitating con...

Councilmember Bob Kettle, chair of the Public Safety Committee, announced key public safety priorities included in Seattle’s 2026 budget, which has been adopted by the City Council. Kettle emphasized his commitment to enhancing public safety and engaging with constituents. Notable budget allocati...

Seattle police have arrested a 17-year-old boy for assaulting an 80-year-old man who confronted him while he was graffitiing the Ballard Bridge. The incident occurred on Nov. 17, when the elderly victim, noticing four teenagers spray painting nearby, attempted to record the act on his phone. As h...

The City of Seattle is enhancing community safety through collaborative efforts that prioritize resident input and culturally responsive solutions. In 2025, Denise Colvin was appointed as the community capacity and safety manager within the Seattle Department of Neighborhoods (DON), tasked with e...

Seattle Parks and Recreation (SPR) has launched a Cycle 2 Capital Project Completions Map to showcase completed projects funded by the Seattle Park District Cycle 2 financial plan from 2023 to 2028. This initiative includes the renovation of 27 restrooms, 33 play areas, and the elimination of acc...

Zulhumor (Zulya) Halmamatova is a senior grants and contracts specialist in the Homelessness division of the Seattle Human Services Department. Since joining in September 2024, she has focused on ensuring smooth funding for prevention agencies to help individuals maintain their housing. Zulya hig...

Juliana Agudelo Ariza, Seattle Youth Commissioner, reflects on the celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15. On Sept. 24, the City of Seattle hosted an event to honor the cultural traditions and achievements of Hispanic and Latino communities. The gatheri...

Seattle IT’s Old Tech Drive, held on Oct. 7 and 8 in partnership with PCs for People, successfully encouraged city employees to donate their unwanted electronics. This initiative not only facilitated responsible disposal but also aimed to bridge the digital divide by providing technology to those...

The Seattle City Council’s budget committee has unanimously approved the 2026 budget, which features record investments aimed at enhancing safety and affordability for working families. The budget includes $349.5 million for affordable housing—more than five times what was invested in 2019—and ad...

Seattle has launched a Commercial E-Cargo Bike Program to integrate electric cargo bikes into the logistics of local businesses. This initiative aims to reduce transportation costs, enhance delivery efficiency, and promote sustainability. Businesses can now apply for permits to use e-cargo bikes,...

The Seattle City Council’s budget committee has unanimously approved the 2026 budget, emphasizing significant investments in safety and affordability for working families. Key areas of focus include affordability, homelessness, public safety, and community building. The budget allocates a record ...

Business Improvement Areas (BIAs) in Seattle play a crucial role in enhancing the unique characteristics of local neighborhoods through community-driven initiatives. There are 11 BIAs, each established by local businesses and organizations, which fund tailored services and programs via ratepayer ...

Phase 2 of the Rainier Avenue S bus lane project in Seattle has been completed, extending the northbound bus lane to over 2 miles. This improvement aims to enhance the reliability of Route 7, which serves approximately 12,000 riders daily. The project includes upgraded sidewalks, ADA-accessible c...

On Nov. 19, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) and WM announced the winners of the 2025 ReThink Waste Grants, which support local initiatives aimed at waste prevention, recycling, and promoting a circular economy. This year’s program, now in its seventh year, will allocate $10,000 to five organizatio...

Seattle Fire Department is partnering with the U.S. Marine Corps for the annual Toys for Tots drive on Dec. 6, 2025. Toy collection will take place from 2 to 4 p.m. at four fire stations: Greenwood (Fire Station 21), West Seattle (Fire Station 29), Hawthorne Hills (Fire Station 38), and Magnolia ...

The city of Seattle has achieved fourth place in the 25th Annual Digital Cities Survey, conducted by the Center for Digital Government, marking its second consecutive year in the top four. This recognition highlights Seattle’s innovative use of technology to address urban challenges such as publi...

The International Special Review District (ISRD) Board is inviting community members to participate in its annual board election, which is crucial for shaping the future of the Chinatown International District (CID). The election will be conducted via mail-in ballots, with a new deadline set for ...

The Seattle Office of Housing is offering up to $27.8 million in stabilization funding to support affordable housing organizations facing financial challenges. This Urgent Operating Support (UOS) funding aims to address rising operational costs and revenue shortfalls, ensuring properties remain s...

The Seattle Office of Housing is inviting applications for requests for qualifications for the development of affordable housing at 14th Avenue South and South Henderson Street in South Park. They seek qualified developers with experience in multifamily and mixed-use projects, particularly those ...

Councilmember Rinck and local leaders condemned recent changes to HUD’s Continuum of Care program, which threaten to impact nearly 4,500 households in Seattle and King County. The Trump administration’s new funding guidelines limit the use of funds for permanent housing, potentially increasing ho...

City councilmembers in Seattle congratulated Mayor-elect Katie Wilson following her election victory and expressed gratitude to outgoing Mayor Bruce Harrell for his years of service. Councilmember Rob Saka emphasized the need for change and collaboration to address affordability and community iss...

Seattle police arrested a 42-year-old man with a history of violent behavior for repeatedly harassing a West Seattle travel agency. The harassment included mocking and threatening employees. He violated a court order prohibiting him from approaching the business, which was documented by an employ...

Claudia McGinnis’s journey in skincare began in 2008 at a dermatology clinic, where she discovered her passion for the industry. Her dedication led her to open Sugar Sugar Spa, which recently received support from the Back to Business program. This initiative is designed to assist small businesse...

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) has introduced PromisePay, a long-term payment plan designed to help customers manage past-due utility bills. This program allows users to catch up on overdue balances while remaining current on future payments. PromisePay features no fees, no interest, and no late ...

Over 500 attendees gathered at McCaw Hall on Oct. 14 for the 2025 Creative Economy Career Day, an educational event organized by the Seattle Office of Arts and Culture and the Office of Economic Development. The program featured workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities aimed at ...

Seattle police detectives are warning residents about roofing and construction scams after a 53-year-old victim lost $74,000. The victim, who has developmental delays, was targeted by scammers posing as contractors. Detectives emphasize the importance of vigilance and suggest verifying contractor...

The Seattle Department of Neighborhoods has partnered with Seattle Information Technology to enhance the Technology Matching Fund grant program and its application process. This initiative is designed to support community organizations by providing resources and funding to improve technology acce...