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 lead sponsor, and chair of...
Dionne Foster
Posts from Councilmember Foster
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 Hollingsworth (District 3) and Councilmember...
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 would amend the city’s Midyear...
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 contacts and pressure tactics. “For...
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 them most: during weekends and...
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 Seattle Mayor Katie B. Wilson:...
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 9), paves the way for...
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 in the City of Seattle....
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 on public comment. Her statement:...
Councilmembers Rinck and Foster advance resolution on next steps for King County Regional Homelessness Authority
A resolution proposing next steps for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA), following the troubling audit published in April, was passed unanimously by the Human Services, Labor, and Economic Development Committee. The measure is sponsored by Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), who represent the Seattle City Council on the KCRHA Governing Board.
Councilmembers Rinck and Foster join call for King County Assessor to step down immediately
‘Ongoing legal and ethics issues undermine public trust required for public service’ Today Councilmembers Dionne Foster (Position 9) and Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) are the latest regional leaders to demand that King County Assessor John Arthur Wilson step down. The call for his immediate resignation stems from a series of disturbing criminal allegations involving a former partner. This follows...
Councilmembers Rinck and Foster Respond to Unacceptable King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) Forensic Audit Findings
We have a duty to get people housed and to do right by taxpayers Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) and Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) released the following statement after receiving the findings of a forensic audit on the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA). “On Tuesday evening, we received the findings of the KCRHA forensic audit. The findings...