One-time budget investment would turn $350,000 into millions in debt relief, putting affordability and financial freedom within reach for Seattle families Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) announced a budget proposal to invest $350,000 in one-time funding to the Human Services Department to provide direct medical debt relief for Seattleites by partnering with the national nonprofit Undue Medical Debt. This...
Dionne Foster
Posts from Councilmember Foster
Councilmember Foster proposes slate of budget amendments to strengthen housing sector, prevent displacement, and support vulnerable communities
Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) released details of her proposed budget amendments to strengthen Seattle’s response to the housing affordability crisis. They include a proposal to give an additional $10 million to the Office of Housing (OH) for development of affordable housing. Also included is a statement of legislative intent (SLI) directing the City to develop a plan for...
Councilmember Foster announces proposal accelerating justice for victims among City’s 5,000 backlogged cases
One-time $1 million investment prioritizes more than 1,700 cases of domestic violence, elder abuse, stalking, and sexual harassment to deliver long-overdue accountability for survivors Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) announced today that she has submitted a budget proposal in close partnership with City Attorney Erika Evans to address the ongoing backlog of criminal cases in the Seattle City Attorney’s Office....
Councilmember Foster leads effort to strengthen City’s fiscal health with two new sustainability measures
Budget legislation proposals strengthen long-term fiscal accountability for both the Mayor and City Council SEATTLE – In the midst of the City addressing an estimated $175 million budget deficit, Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) is proposing new legislation aimed at eliminating large city budget deficits in the future. Councilmember Foster’s good governance budget legislation will mandate that the mayor submit...
“Seattle Stands with Survivors, Every Step” launched by Councilmember Rinck and survivor service organizations to fund gender-based violence services and prevention programs
Multi-year effort seeks to grow investments into direct support for organizations working with survivors and violence prevention Earlier today Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) stood with more than a dozen survivor service organizations, public health and medical institutions, community leaders, and local and state elected officials at Seattle City Hall to announce the “Seattle Stands with Survivors, Every Step”...
Councilmember Foster proposes Mandatory Housing Affordability accelerator to spur housing construction
Bill allows temporary fee reduction for housing projects; accompanying resolution states intent to establish inclusionary requirements in neighborhood residential Today Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9), chair of the Housing, Arts, and Civil Rights committee, released details of her proposed plan that would spur stalled housing projects to tackle rising costs and generate needed revenue. The legislation would offer an 80%...
Councilmember Foster champions successful youth homelessness prevention program for Seattle
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 Services Department (HSD) investment at least dollar-for-dollar. The partnership brings together HSD, United...
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 lead sponsor, and chair of...
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...