For Seattle urges City Council to restore the $7.1 million cut to Seattle Fire’s overtime budget. Cutting overtime could leave fire units unstaffed while firefighters are on the front line of overdoses and mental health crises. Read more here: forseattle.substack.com/p/why-the-fi...

Why the fire department’s overtime is a healthcare issue

Cutting overtime could leave fire units unstaffed while firefighters are on the front line of overdoses and mental health crises

forseattle.substack.com

The mayor’s proposed budget would add $68 million to the Seattle Police Department next year. Most of it pays for raises, not new officers. Our newest Substack breaks down where the money goes and how we got here. Check it out: forseattle.substack.com/p/why-the-se...

Why the Seattle Police Department’s budget is growing

Most of this year’s $68 million increase pays for raises, not new officers. Here’s how we got here.

forseattle.substack.com

About 80% of the city’s $9.1 billion budget is already accounted for before anyone even starts discussing it. What happens with the 20% up for discussion? We break down where the general fund budget lands in our latest Substack. (1/2)

What’s actually in Seattle’s $9.1 billion budget proposal?

Where the money goes, and what the headline number doesn't tell you

forseattle.substack.com

Tomorrow, October 6, City Council hears public comment on the budget for the first time. For Seattle is supporting @mayor.seattle.gov $37 million investment in shelter expansion, so more of our neighbors have a safe place to stay. (1/2)

Seattle High-Support Shelter and Throughput to Housing: Sign-On Letter (Q3 2026)

The sign-on letter below will be used to advocate for the need for robust shelter investment, maintaining critical investments in permanent supportive housing, and in setting up a system that uses bot...

docs.google.com

Trends show a decline in new permits, meaning less housing being built when we need more. Seattle City Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Foster have proposed unsticking MHA, which could build more homes, now. 🧵(1/2)

Yes to the Housing Accelerator, fix the resolution

Seattle City Councilmembers Hollingsworth and Foster have proposed unsticking something that could build more homes, now. This is follow-through in action, but the accompanying resolution needs work.

forseattle.substack.com

As a group of community members coming together to help local government actually follow through, one concrete result at a time, we got into all this work over housing and the cost of living. We’re also taking on a third thing, safety, because all else depends on it. 🧵(1/3)

🚨REMINDER! Return your ballot your ballot by 8pm TONIGHT! 🗳️Find your nearest ballot drop box here: kingcounty.gov/en/dept/elec...

In June, For Seattle supported HOP. It passed 9-0 and then signed by @mayor.seattle.gov. We think that's worth doing every single year. A modest bill resulting in a few thousand more homes each year, repeated for a decade, adds up to real numbers, homes that otherwise wouldn't exist.

SEPA reform passed City Council last night, 5-4. For Seattle is proud to have supported this legislation that removes a duplicative process often used to delay housing our neighbors urgently need. Thank you to @cmeddielin.bsky.social for your leadership. 🧵(1/2)

If you want Seattle to build the homes it keeps promising, show up Tuesday (7/28) or send a quick note to Council. Read more below. Thank you @cmeddielin.bsky.social for leading the way.

For Seattle@forseattlewa.bsky.social · 4mo ago

Seattle has an extra housing-appeal step the state already dropped. Over 10 years it delayed decisions by months and changed the outcome twice. @cmeddielin.bsky.social's bill, heard July 1, would fix it. Here's what it does, in plain English: forseattle.substack.com/p/clearing-r... #sepa

Seattle's council votes tomorrow on how to feed hungry kids. We dug in and landed somewhere that surprised us: close the weekend and school-break gap first, reach families automatically so no one has to prove they're poor, and build to universal meals once it's funded for real. 🧵(1/2)

Making sure every kid in this city has food, every day

Seattle is choosing how to spend limited money on child hunger. Here's where we landed, and what you can do before the council votes.

forseattle.substack.com

The Utility Discount Program updates are now in place. For Seattle was proud to help strengthen the legislation with a yearly enrollment reporting requirement, because passing good policy is only the first step. Now it’s time to make sure these benefits reach those who need them most. 🧵(1/2)

Utility Discount Program legislation passed unanimously today at City Council! 🎉 Thank you @cmdanstrauss.bsky.social for your leadership. 🧵(1/3)

Seattle City Council@council.seattle.gov · 3mo ago

City Council passes Strauss proposal to dramatically reduce utility costs for 31,000 low-income households council.seattle.gov/2026/07/14/c...

We’re proud of what we showed the world Seattle is all about! When we set ambitious goals and work together, this city delivers. How do we keep that momentum going even when the world’s eyes aren’t on us? Let’s keep up the urgency, collaboration, and big thinking to deliver results year-round.

Utility Discount Program legislation passed 4-0 out of the Governance & Utilities Committee yesterday! 🎉 We are especially excited to share that the amendment For Seattle pushed for, adding a yearly enrollment reporting requirement, was adopted. 🧵1/3

"We urge the Mayor and Council to move forward with the Housing Accelerator now and pair it with a permanent fix ...More process shouldn't become one more reason we delay results." www.theurbanist.org/mha-housing-... @mayorofseattle.bsky.social @council.seattle.gov cc @theurbanist.org

MHA Housing Accelerator Proposal Hits Seattle Process Snag

After some nonprofit builders objected, the Housing Development Consortium pulled their support for Seattle's "Housing Accelerator" pilot program built on temporarily reducing builder fees. This led M...

theurbanist.org

Seattle has nearly stopped adding new homes, and the city can act now. We're backing the MHA Housing Accelerator, alongside @seattleyimby.bsky.social @tech4housing.org & others, and pushing for the long-term fix. Details + action: forseattle.substack.com/p/a-fix-to-c... cc @council.seattle.gov

A fix to create more homes now, and the bigger fix that has to follow

We support the Housing Accelerator headed to Seattle City Council as the first step toward a lasting solution.

forseattle.substack.com

Seattle has an extra housing-appeal step the state already dropped. Over 10 years it delayed decisions by months and changed the outcome twice. @cmeddielin.bsky.social's bill, heard July 1, would fix it. Here's what it does, in plain English: forseattle.substack.com/p/clearing-r... #sepa

Clearing Redundant Process Means More Homes in Seattle

A bill before Seattle City Council next week would remove a redundant appeals step that almost never changes a decision but routinely delays new housing for months.

forseattle.substack.com

Seattle sets aside ~$35M a year to cut low-income families' power & water bills, then fails to deliver most of it: only ~36–44% of eligible households are enrolled. Our new piece on why, the fix, and why we back @cmdanstrauss.bsky.social's bill: forseattle.substack.com/p/udp-35-mil...

UDP: $35 Million We Set Aside and Never Sent

Why For Seattle’s next project is a utility bills discount program few are championing.

forseattle.substack.com

HOP legislation passed 9-0 at @council.seattle.gov just now! A step towards many more homes, more quickly, in our fantastic city. Shoutouts to sponsors @linforseattle.bsky.social @alexis4seattle.bsky.social. Up next: tracking HOP's impact. For a refresher: forseattle.substack.com/p/join-us-tu...

This @seattletimes-rss.bsky.social op-ed makes the case for accelerating building homes differently, the exact kind of tech that's a part of the HOP (Housing Opportunities) legislation that's before @council.seattle.gov right now, a final vote coming this Tues: www.seattletimes.com/opinion/mass...

Mass timber is faster, cleaner, cheaper way to build housing in Seattle | Op-Ed

The next crane you see going up over a Seattle city block should be lifting cross-laminated timber panels harvested from Washington forests,

seattletimes.com

The team at @theurbanist.org did a great deep-dive on HOP that'll be voted on Tuesday 6/2 at City Hall. Will be there in support and hope you will be too!

The Urbanist@theurbanist.org · 5mo ago

After clearing the committee review last week, a package of targeted zoning changes is headed to the Seattle City Council on June 2. The proposal seeks to spur the construction of towers, affordable housing, and mass timber and passive house buildings. Story: www.theurbanist.org/seattle-adva...

HOP is one vote away! Huge thanks to @council.seattle.gov's Land Use Chair Lin, CM Rinck, CM Foster, and CM Strauss for moving it through committee. Join us Tues 6/2, 2pm at City Hall (in-person or virtually) to help get it across the finish line: forseattle.substack.com/p/join-us-tu...

Join Us Tuesday, 6/2 to Make HOP Real

Housing Opportunities has one more step to get across the finish line

forseattle.substack.com

New homebuilding in Seattle is down ~90% since 2020. Fewer new homes mean tighter competition and higher rents to come. We've joined @sightline.org and others encouraging the Mayor + Council to update MHA. Our proposal (MHA 2.0): forseattle.substack.com/p/mha-20-a-b...

MHA 2.0: A better way to fund affordable homes in Seattle

Seattle can fund affordable homes without slowing housing down.

forseattle.substack.com

A teacher in Rainier Beach shouldn't have to commute from Tacoma. But that's the math right now. Our op-ed in The Seattle Times today on why Council should pass HOP, the Housing Opportunities legislation: www.seattletimes.com/opinion/seat... Agree? Tell City Council!: council@seattle.gov

Seattle City Council proposal would put more homes where they're needed | Op-Ed

The proposed Housing Opportunities Zoning Amendments before the Seattle City Council would create more housing faster than current plans.

seattletimes.com

9 For Seattle members showed up on the mic at City Hall this AM to support Housing Opportunities (HOP) to ensure more homes are built sooner. For several, it was the first time giving public comment. We showed up because we believe Seattle can grow in a way that works for all.

Our first policy deep dive is live. Seattle's apartment permit pipeline has collapsed, down 88% from its 2020 peak. The Housing Opportunities legislation is one concrete fix. Here's what it does and how to push it forward. forseattle.substack.com/p/for-seattles-first-move-the-housing

For Seattle’s First Move: The Housing Opportunities Amendments

A quick guide to what HOP does, why it matters for your neighborhood, and how to help move it forward

forseattle.substack.com

We started For Seattle because Seattle often agrees on what it wants, but struggles to make it real. New post: who we are, what we're focused on, and how Year 1 unfolds. forseattle.substack.com

For Seattle | Alex Lofton | Substack

A civic project helping Seattle follow through on housing, homelessness, mobility, and affordability. Click to read For Seattle, by Alex Lofton, a Substack publication. Launched 4 days ago.

forseattle.substack.com