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Mayor Bruce Harrell's One Seattle Newsletter

Mayor Harrell Portrait

*Dear friends and neighbors,*

Last week, I signed the City of Seattle?s 2023-2024 Budget into law [ [link removed] ]. This budget makes a record half-a-billion-dollar investment over the biennium in affordable housing to address the city?s housing and homelessness crises, supports needed investments in public safety and police hiring, and addresses community priorities to drive opportunity and equity for all.?

I put forward my budget proposal [ [link removed] ] in September, which focused on improving public safety, urgent action to bring people indoors, and delivering the essential City services that residents expect and demand. This was a historically challenging budget year as we addressed a significant revenue gap. While not everything we proposed was funded, there is much in this budget to build on, allowing us to advance our efforts to build *"One Seattle"*.

Now our focus shifts to implementing these priorities, using the resources and investments we?ve made in the budget to keep people safe, get them into shelter and housing, and move forward as a city where everyone is welcome, secure, and supported.

I look forward to building on this work and uniting people around our common values toward making Seattle a safer, more equitable city.

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Thank you,?

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Bruce signature

Bruce A. Harrell?
Mayor of Seattle?
*Working Together to Build **"One Seattle"*?

Mayor Harrell sings 2023-2024 Budget alongside City Councilmembers and staff.

Mayor Harrell signs 2023-2024 Budget alongside City Councilmembers and staff.





Budget Priorities

Mayor Harrell talks to a Seattle Police officer.

Mayor Harrell talks to a Seattle Police Officer while visiting the Criminal Justice Training Center, where officers receive their basic law enforcement training.

Improving Public Safety

Our public safety budget reflects our commitment that every resident has an inherent right to safety and that our communities can thrive when they are free from fear. We will lead with a comprehensive approach ? swift response times, support for crime victims, community partnerships, and long-term solutions. Key investments include:


* A 50% increase in the SFD firefighter recruitment class and continued operation of Ladder 13 and Medic 26 [ [link removed] ] in West Seattle and South Park
* Funding of the Mayor?s SPD recruitment plan [ [link removed] ] to hire needed police officers more quickly
* Enhanced victim support services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault [ [link removed] ], and other crimes and investments in additional domestic violence prosecutors
* Investments in community-based solutions to address gun violence [ [link removed] ]
* Funding to diversify 911 response options?










Mayor Harrell helps build a tiny home.

Mayor Harrell helps volunteers build a tiny home at the Sound Foundation NW?s Hope Factory.

Urgent Action on Housing and Homelessness

Making progress on the homelessness crisis is inextricably linked to access to housing ? both a source of and a solution to homelessness. This budget includes a historic investment in affordable housing to address the city?s housing and homelessness crises and increased investments in enhanced outreach services and efforts to make public spaces clean and accessible to all. Key investments include:


* The largest one-year investment in affordable housing in City history ? approximately $250 million for development of affordable housing, representing a new level of commitment to addressing the city?s housing and homelessness crises?
* Investments in the Unified Care Team [ [link removed] ] to support ongoing efforts to ensure a clean city and transition to neighborhood-based teams that provide tailored outreach and support
* Increased investments in the King County Regional Homelessness Authority [ [link removed] ] to maintain and improve shelter options, outreach services, and other critical programs for people experiencing homelessness
* New shelter units and safe lot spaces, putting the City on course to meet the 2000-unit identification goal that is part of the *"One Seattle"* Homelessness Action Plan [ maps.seattle.gov/homelessnessplan ]




Mayor Harrell visits an after-school choir class at the University Heights Center.

Mayor Harrell visits an after-school choir class at the University Heights Center.

Meeting the Needs of Today and Preparing for Future

Our budget investments will continue to equitably expand access to opportunity in our city so that every resident can reach their full potential ? whether that means access to a good job, education, or support for their business. We will continue to support healthy, thriving communities, build resilience to the impacts of climate change, and revitalize our economy from Downtown to neighborhood business districts across Seattle. Key investments include:


* $5 million to support bonuses for Seattle?s 4,600 childcare workers serving over 20,000 Seattle kids and $5 million to support future generations of kids and educators through UW?s Rainier Valley Early Learning Campus [ [link removed] ]
* Increased mental health services in Seattle schools [ [link removed] ] called for by students in the wake of the Ingraham High School shooting
* Support for small business and economic revitalization programs through the Office of Economic Development, including activation of downtown and City Hall Park [ [link removed] ]
* $20 million in internationally-recognized [ [link removed] ] Green New Deal Investments, including the *"One Seattle "*Climate Justice Agenda [ [link removed] ] through climate resilience hubs and incentives to help middle-and-low-income residents transition from oil to electric heat pumps
* Investments in planning for Sound Transit 3 [ [link removed] ] to include community outreach and engagement and ensure transit infrastructure meets residents? needs and minimizes displacement
* Parks District investments to ensure Seattle?s nearly 500 parks, playfields, and community centers [ [link removed] ] remain welcoming and safe areas for recreation, learning, and healthy communities

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*Seattle Office of the Mayor*

600 4th Avenue

4th Floor

Seattle, WA 98104

*Phone: 206-684-4000*

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