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Committee moves leasing authority to speed shelter site development; expands FAS signatory limits

Seattle City Council Finance, Native Communities and Tribal Governments Committee · April 7, 2026

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Summary

The committee recommended passage of CB121184 to expand the Finance & Administrative Services director's authority to execute leases for transitional encampments — raising the square‑footage threshold from 18,000 to 65,000 and removing a per‑square‑foot cap to allow market negotiation — and forwarded the ordinance to the full Council.

The Seattle City Council committee voted 3–0 on April 7 to recommend council bill CB121184, an ordinance that would expand the Finance & Administrative Services (FAS) director’s authority to execute leases for land used for transitional encampments and related shelter purposes.

Under current code city staff said the FAS director cannot sign leases for properties whose footprint exceeds 18,000 square feet or for lease rates above $9.50 per square foot. Tracy Ratcliffe (council central staff) and administration representatives described CB121184 as a narrowly tailored change to expedite site selection for tiny‑house villages and other shelter uses by increasing the director’s signatory limit to 65,000 square feet and removing the $9.50 cap so the director may negotiate market‑rate terms. The executive estimated current market rents in the range of $2 to $12 per square foot.

Supporters said the change will reduce the time required to prepare sites and finalize leases, shortening the timeline for some shelter projects from months to a few months. The committee had no amendments to CB121184; Chair Dan Strauss moved to recommend the bill, it was seconded, the roll call recorded three votes in favor, and the recommendation will be transmitted to the full Council on April 14.

Quote

"This policy allows the FAS director greater flexibility in signing lease agreements," Tracy Ratcliffe said, summarizing the bill's intent to speed shelter site development.

What happens next

CB121184 will be considered by the full Seattle City Council at the April 14 meeting where the Council may vote to adopt the ordinance.