[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5972740,"mediaKeyId","5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f","parentId",5869940,"title","Mayor’s public‑safety sales tax proposal funds treatment, outreach and case managers including Thunderbird Center and ORCA outreach pods","audioSeconds",485,"startMs",6460000,"endMs",6945000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f&start=6460&end=6945","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f/thumbnail_6460000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5972740/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Mayors-publicsafety-sales-tax-proposal-funds-treatment-outreach-and-case-managers-including-Thunderbird-Center-and-ORCA-outreach-pods","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972740-5a15aa403b1bf02b3df09bfdf17c3170/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170294&Signature=bEzHAZQr1qnbievTnha3cJDYOor1AA~-RMfIEAOi7ZiHVjjtBkEYIB2T7lfbQgw94oDsFq29MmDzTEvhcyp3g0DzPM3keytZyOlt2NLSLyf1qtWaEm93HVQle7bdmm8~pYxxMnF84e3xQ3bmPoIjpdQEQzMm-ItRgBhByoCMD2wCFCPdng1sS64WMAkLjU-SFvwM8e1qvm1vfRwZuw9iXhm6YrqCCAfESWcdl4-hv3F8ZCymWIh8ieMnYzzAiOWPnuZciVqyGNPJFMAmmjXe5Vw5jAdU~0-4R73KOsLCUZZMShCkCjlMRKOHgrRtkEcts5x9SjfHe7ve8xVnhqs90g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Seattle City, WA","date","2025-09-30T00:00:00Z","article","The mayor’s proposed 0.1 percentage‑point public‑safety sales tax increment, and related mayoral spending plan, would support several human‑service investments described at the Sept. 29 Select Budget Committee hearing.

Human Services Director Tanya Kim detailed items that HSD would manage or administer if the council approves the revenue: ongoing funds for LEAD diversion programs, $1 million ongoing for the We Deliver Care street outreach effort to continue work in Third Avenue and the Chinatown‑International District, and funding for outreach linked to the new ORCA Center.

HSD said it expects to allocate about $1.24 million ongoing to DESC’s ORCA Center outreach team (the “ORCA pod”) to send registered nurses into shelter and housing sites to provide engagement and medications for opioid use disorder. HSD also proposed $1.8 million in one‑time capital to reopen Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird residential treatment center, a 92‑bed facility with specialty capacity for pregnant and parenting adults and tribal healing practices.

Kim noted that HSD will issue requests for proposals for several substance‑use and withdrawal‑management services and that the ORCA outreach effort includes a research component with the University of Washington’s addiction institute to track impact.

Council members praised the treatment investments and asked about contracting, performance metrics and how HSD will coordinate with Care, the police and fire‑based HealthOne/Health99 teams. Kim emphasized cross‑agency integration and the need for a data‑driven approach and said many of the ORCA and Thunderbird investments will include built‑in evaluation requirements.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Select Budget Committee Session II 9/29/25","oneSentenceSummary","The mayor’s proposed public‑safety sales tax revenue would fund expanded treatment and outreach: ongoing funds for We Deliver Care and LEAD, ORCA outreach pods, outreach nurses tied to the ORCA Center and capital to reopen Seattle Indian Health Board’s Thunderbird treatment center.","taxTitle","Seattle, King County, Washington","taxId",2543,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972745,"HSD proposes $30 million for food and nutrition; some funds held as one‑time pending federal action",2242,6645000,8887000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f&start=6645&end=8887","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f/thumbnail_6645000.jpg","/articles/5972745/Seattle/King-County/Washington/HSD-proposes-30-million-for-food-and-nutrition-some-funds-held-as-onetime-pending-federal-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972745-a234d78d961d1c72c0ee0c3e7f09bc02/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170294&Signature=io6fFMJcYtpXe450Uhuc9r-Wngl0YRZzMU49ZMKkmNfuqFRwm80fZl0uBaB36YQ~88FGjKavML3FJmPJnJRa6x8G5ye5vD026jDQ2IgSP7fy2kHE42iGzDSgyGCZHlGcFRY4WaKTxOnpPOtSqMb2r3888yqD76QOpLrN2xbp5EI-pr46kbkRhBrEZ01RGbnYmMmvmjFdZX7u9WFWImZoNeOrl~nBtLl8XLtbnJ2KBCLzRUHC72ltlLl0Tdild~aRu39MdV5mBLvRFF23VICqplUioEClmrYClUsGS6I-Kuc6SpmVALTiWsJw~pNcpfQMvLFI5eaP2834jlXHd9XEjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seattle’s Human Services Department told the council that the mayor’s proposed 2026 budget increases food and nutrition investments to $30 million, a roughly 16 percent rise over 2025, while classifying a portion of the new money as one‑time pending federal developments.

Director Tanya Kim said the proposal includes $1 million for premade nutritious meals for vulnerable populations (youth, seniors and people experiencing homelessness) and $3 million for food‑bank capacity. Kim described a range of food‑security services the city supports, from mobile pantries and home deliveries to congregate senior meals and summer food programs for children.

Deputy CFO Tia Damini explained the “one‑time” classification is intended to preserve flexibility given uncertainty about federal policy and program funding. Damini said the city has $22.6 million in ongoing food and nutrition funding in its base and that the additional amounts would be reassessed in 2027 based on federal and state developments.

Council members discussed capital support needs (walk‑in refrigeration, vans, lifts) and asked HSD to consider logistical and partnership approaches that would stretch dollars and reduce duplication with county or state programs.

HSD said it will monitor federal action and coordinate with state and county partners before committing ongoing funding beyond 2026.","Mayor’s 2026 proposal would raise food and nutrition investments to $30 million, including funding for premade meals and food banks; HSD marked a portion as one‑time money while monitoring federal program changes.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972750,"Human Services proposes new shelter beds, emergency rental assistance and a reserve amid federal uncertainty",1531,5718000,7249000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f&start=5718&end=7249","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f/thumbnail_5718000.jpg","/articles/5972750/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Human-Services-proposes-new-shelter-beds-emergency-rental-assistance-and-a-reserve-amid-federal-uncertainty","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972750-8d3eb6e654306618dbd4d01afcc1080e/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170294&Signature=WNRrd26GbL1OU9UWud1wnoTNXD8qwQYiyBO1t8OcewQ4Jt5Jhqpeudu~MzD58n2~GooisDowFxGiMxkrz4B52p8VpOV-qYF37aZ-Hk787C0nhGLUwKfojnbDRGGqN8XRJgmVNRFFv-5kj79mYCJmc8PJL7VIEu2s-dJO82HEhKrFwjuA47xQXK2H~mysiOLK5CD~TKM3DnoP2DTr2709thuLe-XdjTo-uDR6X1kPTbmlAcVu~cF0drZaCEIWeROQHnsphByYN8kGQ6pxUDYmHc~ZYzJ3w~nCMXPz3I~6eXEemrsuIWfZRkN5DvDkKADalII45aaIYp7xhUtjZLRjVQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Seattle Human Services Department told the Select Budget Committee on Sept. 29 that the mayor’s 2026 proposed budget would expand shelter capacity and rental‑assistance funding while creating a contingency reserve to address possible federal cutbacks.

Director Tanya Kim said the budget includes $7.8 million in ongoing general‑fund support to open 155 additional shelter beds, covering site identification, startup and three months of operating costs. Kim said the city intends those shelters to include wrap‑around supports such as case management, housing navigation and behavioral‑health services.

The department also proposed $4 million in ongoing emergency rental assistance —bringing the city’s total in 2026 to $11.5 million—aimed at three objectives: prevent imminent homelessness from financial hardship, intervene in active evictions, and support households showing early signs of housing instability. Kim said the program is designed to include case management so rental payments are paired with supports that promote long‑term stability.

Because the federal government’s stance on certain homelessness and housing funding was described by department staff as uncertain, HSD’s budget includes a one‑time reserve of $9.35 million to rapidly backfill shelter and emergency housing needs if outside funding is reduced.

Kim said the majority of Seattle’s homelessness investments still flow to the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and that some site selection and procurement functions will remain with KCRHA. Council members asked for timelines and details about two congregate shelter sites funded in 2025 and about how the city will track outcomes and accountability for large pass‑through contracts.

Kim also described a planned pilot between the Downtown Seattle Association and Community Solutions to test a low‑barrier, outreach‑centered shelter model downtown, funded through the mayor’s proposal.

The proposed expansions are tied to council action on the mayor’s budget and, for some items, voter‑contingent changes to business tax revenues; council members asked the department for continuing outcome reporting and clearer data on shelter flows, placements and long‑term housing outcomes.","The Human Services Department asked the Select Budget Committee to fund 155 additional shelter beds, increase emergency rental assistance to $11.5 million in 2026 and set a reserve for shelter and housing to backfill possible federal cuts.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5972753,"Seattle Care department seeks staff and dispatch expansion to cover more 911 calls",4924,96000,5020000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f&start=96&end=5020","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5869940-fa36a233f26ba46ac4c1a9eee99ea72f/thumbnail_96000.jpg","/articles/5972753/Seattle/King-County/Washington/Seattle-Care-department-seeks-staff-and-dispatch-expansion-to-cover-more-911-calls","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5972753-e7443c1145f8e7cea1e60f362f3a3aae/orig.mp4?Expires=1771170294&Signature=cbEWgZEs9a6lI8U6tkr5bn-BBoRzgY-7lqV6WGo~-YlqP66Agl39HpQ-XDSxJjb~2trtWsWbmvyVIPOGiJUebCXu2MDA072NfHcjUepcUvObbKiYHvUAs4E6HRnfyKjZ9TgZKqIPjidW-30OoMFR~Xb7eJP0jcgmxXBdv6vKAaRMg-HvSOgSRc4WYgGhsQvxHx-dzA4uumRFdaAlzDfq9wMp5OUV4PgFE3yIMWj0cr0g~EAdcX1lXEfgwRlShQwAUyyOU2EM5UnKVYtQ2b0f54D4q13ZZ6exJp28~HLa5wxWpKSWnLT6b9IT2KyNOz9lDcGkWvdMMd8Mb0nXAhg3MQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Seattle’s Care department chief, Amy Barton, told the City Council’s Select Budget Committee on Sept. 29 that the department needs 49 new positions and expanded dispatch capacity to respond to the rising number of 911 calls tied to mental health, homelessness and addiction.

Barton said the budget request would add 31 responders to operate citywide 20 hours a day, 15 staff for Seattle 911 to reduce wait times, and other business supports. “We have tested and proven the safety and the utility of dispatching care responders to 911 calls,” Barton said. She added that many 911 calls rarely result in law‑enforcement action and argued that unarmed community responders can deliver the same or better results at lower cost.

The department cited performance metrics to justify the expansion. Barton said hold time for high‑priority 911 calls is under 15 seconds 93 percent of the time and that current nonemergency wait time averages 4 minutes, 18 seconds. By contrast, she said the Seattle Police Department’s response time to many lower‑priority calls can average 173 minutes.

Barton and staff referenced a Seattle University evaluation of the Care pilot (January–December 2024) that analyzed 1,585 calls and recommended five items, including resolving labor disputes that affect Care, removing bureaucratic barriers, closing follow‑up case‑management gaps, expanding to 24/7 service and clearer public messaging about the CCR role. Barton said she also sits on national working groups and has reviewed other jurisdictions’ models, such as Albuquerque’s ACS.

Council members asked for details on how Care will integrate with existing providers, how the department will ensure follow‑up case management, and what legal or operational steps are needed before Care can be solo‑dispatched. Barton emphasized an outstanding need for a formal MOU with Seattle Police to enable full solo dispatching and said Care is exploring closer links with the 988 crisis line and with jail and hospital reentry pathways so Care can intercept people at high risk.

Barton also said the department lacks in‑house analytics staff to publish a public dashboard and that much of the available Care and RMS data has been shared with researchers; she asked council offices to consider funding dedicated analytics capacity. Several council members said they wanted performance metrics and regular reports when expansion funds are spent.

The discussion remained at the policy and budget level; committee members did not take a formal vote during the hearing.

Looking ahead: the department’s expansion depends on approval of the mayor’s budget and subsequent council budget actions, plus progress on any MOU that would permit Care to be regularly dispatched without a police co‑response.","Seattle’s Care department proposed adding 49 positions and expanding responder hours as part of a budget request, while urging a dispatch MOU with Seattle Police to allow solo dispatch and better 911 routing. Council members pressed for data, case‑management links and clearer outcomes.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Mayor’s public‑safety sales tax proposal funds treatment, outreach and case managers including Thunderbird Center and ORCA outreach pods

HSD proposes $30 million for food and nutrition; some funds held as one‑time pending federal action

Human Services proposes new shelter beds, emergency rental assistance and a reserve amid federal uncertainty

Seattle Care department seeks staff and dispatch expansion to cover more 911 calls