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%...
Joy Hollingsworth
Posts from Councilmember Hollingsworth
Council honors passing of community trailblazer Dolores Sibonga
Seattle CID native was first woman of color to serve on the City Council Today Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) released the following statement honoring the loss of former City Councilmember, community advocate, and barrier-breaking pioneer for women and people of color, Dolores Sibonga. Sibonga, who was also the first Filipino American admitted to the Washington State Bar Association,...
City Councilmembers react to Police Chief Barnes’ departure, voice major concerns
Today Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6), Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), Councilmember Bob Kettle (District 7, Public Safety Chair), released this statement following an official announcement from Mayor Katie B. Wilson that Police Chief Shon Barnes has resigned. “Our city faces profound public safety challenges, from youth gun violence destroying lives to drug markets and human trafficking plaguing our neighborhoods. After the Seattle Center shooting, our focus should be on the lives lost and how we can address gun violence...
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...
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...
City Council passes Strauss proposal to dramatically reduce utility costs for 31,000 low-income households
Today, the Seattle City Council unanimously passed the largest expansion of an affordability program in the City’s recent memory. Council Bill 121222, sponsored by Councilmember Dan Strauss (District 6) and co-sponsored by Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), expands the city’s Utility Discount Program to include 31,000 new low-income households, saving them more than $1,000 per year, depending on their usage. “This...
Seattle and regional leaders announce new actions to combat Aurora Avenue violence and prostitution
At a June 11 press conference, Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5) and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3), in partnership with Mayor Katie B. Wilson, the Seattle Police Department, City Attorney Erika Evans’ Office, and the King County Prosecutor's Office, outlined their ongoing work to address the spike in crime occurring in the neighborhoods surrounding north Aurora Avenue.
City Council passes emergency data center moratorium and policy framework
Today the City Council unanimously adopted two key pieces of legislation that will help prevent the siting of large data centers in Seattle.
Councilmembers introducing moratorium on data centers in Seattle
Councilmember Debora Juarez (District 5), Councilmember Eddie Lin (District 2), and Council President Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) announced plans to introduce an emergency moratorium on the siting of new data centers in Seattle. The bill will be paired with a resolution calling for impact studies of data centers on city infrastructure, water usage, utility rates, land use, jobs and public health. Data centers around the country have come under increased scrutiny recently as their high energy consumption and environmental impacts have led to rising electricity rates for consumers, sparking a significant public outcry.
A new day: Councilmembers Rinck and Foster sworn in, Hollingsworth selected as council president
This afternoon, Councilmember Alexis Mercedes Rinck (Position 8) and newly elected Councilmember Dionne Foster (Position 9) were ceremonially sworn into office. Both will serve full four-year terms and represent citywide seats. Tuesday’s Council business also included the selection of Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) as the council president. “It is an incredible honor to serve as your councilmember for the...
City Council passes final Comprehensive Plan legislation
Select Committee will take up Phase 2 of Comp Plan in 2026 The City Council today revisited amended legislation on Seattle’s Comprehensive Plan (CB 120985) and Permanent HB 1110 legislation (CB 120993), approving both pieces of legislation. Councilmember Joy Hollingsworth (District 3) chaired the Select Committee on the Comprehensive Plan. The delayed vote was due to additional environmental review of...