Time to advocate! Ask City Council for $10 million for rent assistance for at-risk tenants

Last week, we called on the City of Seattle to add $10 million to the 2026 City budget for tenant-based rental assistance. 

We’ve joined with our colleagues and have multiple organizations supporting this budget ask. This is what we sent to City Council this morning:

Dear Seattle City Council Budget Committee Members,

We are writing to request $10 million to be added to the budget for rent assistance targeted to tenants living in non-profit housing financed by the Office of Housing (OH). This $10 million would help low-income tenants with rent arrears and help prevent homelessness and evictions. Given the instability in the non-profit owned affordable housing sector due to rent arrears it is crucial that these funds be targeted to help at-risk residents.

We thank you for your support and look forward to continued partnership in building a more just and livable Seattle for all.

List of Supporters:

Sharon Lee, Low Income Housing Institute  Hannah Bryant, Mt Baker Housing Estela Ortega, El Centro de la Raza  Teena Ellison, Compass Housing Alliance Jared Jonson, SCIDpda Tiffani McCoy, House Our Neighbors  Bill Reid, Walsh Construction  Regina Malveaux, J.D., United Way of King County

Derek Lum, Interim CDA Suresh Chanmugam, Tech 4 Housing Norine Hill, Mother Nation Paula Fillmore-Sardinas, FMS Global Strategies Taylor Farley, Queer Power Alliance Michael Seiwerath, SouthEast Effective Development (SEED) Kate Rubin, Be:Seattle Women's Housing, Equality and Enhancement League (WHEEL)

What is the $10M Rental Assistance Seattle City Council Budget Action?

The problem: Many tenants living in affordable housing funded by the Office of Housing (OH) are overburdened by the rising cost of living including food, medical care, transportation, child care, and other basic needs. With an eviction notice on their door, tenants are faced with the impossible decision to pay rent or to feed their families. 

Without rental assistance, low income tenants are at risk of becoming homeless. 

The solution: We are asking the Seattle City Council to add $10 million to the 2026 budget for tenant-based rental assistance. This request is exclusively for residents living in OH funded housing.

We need your help! Contact the Seattle City Council today be sending your support to council@seattle.gov. Here is some guidance:

Subject: Add $10 Million to the 2026 Budget for Tenant-Based Rental Assistance for OH-funded Properties

Hello Seattle Councilmembers, 

Please add $10 million in 2026 to the Human Services Department (HSD) for tenant-based rental assistance exclusively for residents living in city funded housing.

Thank you for your consideration, 

[Your Name]