Seattle’s 2024 Mid-Biennial Budget has been met with applause as it prioritizes key investments to address the pressing issues facing the city. Budget Chair and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda celebrated the passage of the budget, which marks her fourth budget season and the final one before she transitions to the King County Council next year.
One of the standout features of the budget is its substantial investment in affordable housing, thanks to the efforts of affordable housing and homelessness advocates, labor partners, and human service workers. This budget allocates nearly $600 million to affordable housing, the largest-ever investment of its kind in the city. The support is made possible by JumpStart progressive revenue, demonstrating the effectiveness of this approach to funding crucial initiatives.
Chair Mosqueda emphasized that this budget also delivers on the city’s promises to improve wages for human service providers. It ensures that workers are not left behind and expands vital services such as culturally specific counseling, domestic violence support, youth programming, mental health services in Seattle Public Schools, and enhanced food security programs. These investments aim to keep the community healthy, housed, and safe amidst the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, rising costs, and high inflation.
Transparency, accountability, and equity are central tenets of this budget. Chair Mosqueda has worked tirelessly to uphold these principles throughout the budgeting process, rejecting austerity measures and safeguarding investments for affordable housing, economic reliance, community cohesion, health, and equitable development.
The final vote on the budget is scheduled for tomorrow during the next full Council meeting, and discussions will continue to refine revenue and fee legislation. Budget Chair Mosqueda herself has proposed new budget transparency legislation, indicating the ongoing commitment to maintaining accountability and openness in the city’s financial operations.
Seattle’s 2024 budget is a testament to the power of collaboration and collective action in addressing the most pressing needs of the community. With strategic investments and a renewed commitment to transparency, the city aims to build a resilient and equitable future for all its residents.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. How much funding has been allocated for affordable housing in Seattle’s 2024 budget?
Nearly $600 million has been allocated for affordable housing, making it the largest-ever investment in affordable housing in the city’s history.
2. What key services and programs will receive increased funding?
The budget prioritizes increased funding for health services, human service provider wages, culturally specific counseling services, domestic violence support, youth programming, mental health services in Seattle Public Schools, and enhanced food security programs.
3. What principles guided the budgeting process?
Transparency, accountability, and equity were key principles guiding the development of Seattle’s 2024 budget. The city aimed to invest in its most vulnerable residents, reject austerity measures, and uphold commitments to the community.
4. Who led the budgeting process?
Budget Chair and Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda led the budgeting process and played a pivotal role in prioritizing investments, maintaining transparency, and advocating for equity.
5. What is the significance of the JumpStart progressive revenue?
JumpStart progressive revenue played a crucial role in financing the affordable housing investments. It demonstrates the effectiveness of this revenue model in supporting important initiatives in Seattle.
