CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE relating to City finances; creating a fund for depositing donations, gifts, and grants related to The City of Seattle's response to homelessness and provision of human services.
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WHEREAS, in November 2015, Mayor Edward Murray issued a Proclamation of Civil Emergency to address homelessness that was subsequently ratified and confirmed by the Seattle City Council; and
WHEREAS, the point-in-time count conducted in January 2020 estimated that 8,166 people in Seattle, and 11,751 across all of King County, experience homelessness on any given night; and
WHEREAS, numerous parks and public spaces have experienced an increase in unsanctioned encampments of people experiencing homelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
WHEREAS, a substantial proportion of people with substance use disorder are not able to access appropriate treatment or supports to recover from the disorder; and
WHEREAS, the City's Human Services Department will spend more than $300 million in 2021 on homelessness and human services and preventative, primary, mental, and behavioral health care; and
WHEREAS, private donors have pledged millions of dollars to expand emergency shelter programs and support the City's response to homelessness; and
WHEREAS, there is not currently a mechanism for the City to receive private donations to support or expand homelessness and human services and health care; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY OF SEATTLE AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. A new It Takes a Village Fund is created in the City Treasury, effective immediately, to which revenues may be deposited and from which associated expenditures may be paid, including but not limited to City administration costs for the purposes described in Section 2 of this ordinance.
Section 2. The purpose of the It Takes a Village Fund is to provide homelessness and human services and preventative, primary, mental, and ...
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