City, philanthropy, and community partners unite to keep young people safely housed Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) announced a proven public-private partnership that will bring Washington state’s nationally recognized Homelessness Prevention and Diversion Fund (HPDF) to Seattle, helping young people remain safely housed and preventing youth homelessness. Enabled through the City’s 2026 Mid-Year Supplemental Budget, the partnership leverages City investment and philanthropic funding from the Washington Acceleration Fund, which is matching the Seattle Human...
Category: Councilmember Foster
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City Councilmembers and Mayor celebrate progress for housing and environment with passage of SEPA appeals legislation
Today the City Council passed Council Bill 121215, streamlining appeals processes for zoning and planning actions by the city. The legislation impacts appeals related to the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA). City officials praised the passage of the necessary reform to mitigate climate change and build more homes. “We need more homes in Seattle,” said...
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Mayor, Councilmembers agree on plan to improve food access for Seattle students
Seattle City Councilmembers and the mayor announced agreement today on a unified strategy to improve food access for Seattle students. The proposal would fund both universal free school meals, as proposed by Mayor Katie B. Wilson, and six-years of food support for students in need outside of the classroom, as proposed by Council President Joy...
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Seattle City Councilmembers propose plan to fund universal school meals starting this fall
Three Seattle City Councilmembers announced a proposal today to fund universal free school meals for all Seattle Public School students starting this fall, while maintaining new investments aimed at ensuring low-income students have food on their tables at home. The proposal is sponsored by Councilmember and Budget Chair Dan Strauss (District 6), Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9). It...
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Councilmember Foster leads committee approval of bill protecting homeowner privacy and generational wealth
City Council will consider final passage on July 28 Today, the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights Committee passed legislation (Council Bill 121259), introduced by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), that will safeguard homeowners’ privacy and protect them from predatory homebuyers. The bill creates a City-managed ‘Do Not Solicit” list, shielding property owners from unwanted sales...
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Councilmembers, advocates push to add weekend food aid to education levy plan
Amendment addresses food inequity for struggling families during weekends and school breaks Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), supported by community advocates, are co-sponsoring an amendment to the Families, Education, Preschool and Promise (FEPP) Levy Implementation Plan. The amendment will provide food support for low-income families when students need...
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Seattle City Councilmembers Rinck and Foster and King County Councilmembers Fain and Barón release statement regarding the KCRHA Compliance and Stabilization Plan
Today King County Councilmembers Steffanie Fain and Jorge L. Barón and Seattle City Councilmembers Alexis Mercedes Rinck and Dionne Foster, who serve on the Governing Board of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), issued the following statement in response to the compliance and stabilization plan announced Wednesday by King County Executive Girmay Zahilay and...
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City Council passes legislation to boost affordable housing in Mount Baker, Montlake, and Central District
Councilmember Foster-backed bills support construction of over 300 housing units SEATTLE – Today, the City Council approved three key bills that will allow the Seattle Office of Housing (OH) to move forward with several new, affordable rental and homeownership opportunities in the neighborhoods of Mount Baker, Montlake and the Central District. The package of legislation, sponsored by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position...
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City Council approves charter changes for Seattle Social Housing Developer
Today the City Council passed a resolution sponsored by Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) approving proposed amendments to the Seattle Social Housing Developer (SSHD) charter. The approved resolution is a binding change to the SSHD charter and is meant to enhance SSHD’s ability to accomplish its mission of developing, owning and maintaining social housing developments...
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Councilmember Foster urges Sound Transit to deliver on light rail to Ballard and the Graham Street Station
Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) released the following statement as the Sound Transit Board of Directors met today to update the Sound Transit 3 plan, including whether to build or delay the Graham Street Station in south Seattle. Councilmember Foster was there virtually but did not get the chance to comment due to time limitations...