State of the City

I was proud to support Mayor Murray at the State of the City address on Tuesday, February 21 at the Idris Mosque in North Seattle. As the Mayor stated, “Where the President is slamming doors and building walls, Americans and Seattleites are spreading our arms and opening our hearts.”  I am all-in.

Seattle will continue to be a Welcoming City and we will continue to care for those most in need. This extends to immigrants and refugees, students, seniors, unemployed and to our homeless neighbors as well.  I especially appreciate efforts from a myriad of friends, faiths and advocates to look for ways we can stand against hate as a community.

Yesterday the Mayor activated the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) to treat the homelessness crisis. Key partners will meet daily to problem solve some of the critical issues Seattleites are experiencing on our streets. I applaud this move and believe it is essential to take steps to make some big changes in approach while we work on building more affordable housing.

Additionally, the Mayor acknowledged we need to do more to address what Seattle neighbors have demanded to - make every neighborhood feel cleaner and safer. 

Using a transparent, data-based and personal approach we will do more to: 

• Get people out of tents, off the streets, and into acceptable housing.
• Make drug treatment available and on demand so people can get healthy.
• Increase the number of mental health beds available to people in our region.

Although Council added more money to make these investments, renewed and dedicated efforts will be needed to make big changes. The reality is, the cavalry is not coming and we can expect little –if any -- new funding from either our state or federal government. We along with our partners in the private sector along with King County, our Public Health and Public Safety leaders can make big gains.

Therefore, I am working with business and human services leaders to consider some innovative efforts. The goal?  Fewer tents on the street and enriched additional mental health and drug treatment on demand. Watch the full State of the City address here.

Moving Forward with the First Seattle Navigation Center

Our first Navigation Center will be established in the International District in the Pearl S. Warren Building. Activating the Navigation Center is a critical piece of our Pathways Home Plan to develop a successful person-centered effort, moving individuals inside and ultimately helping them secure housing and needed services. These are the efforts we will take to have the best chance of reducing homelessness.

Modeling the Navigation Center after the successful model in San Francisco makes sense. I wrote about my visit to the San Francisco  Navigation Center last May. There, the staff and partners deal with many needs that other shelters can’t address, including space for possessions, pets, and partners, offering “radical hospitality” where people’s individualized needs are assessed and met.

The Navigation Center and the newly announced Navigation Team were both discussed in my Human Services and Public Health Committee last week, you can view the briefing here.

Expanded Paid Family Leave

On Friday, February 17, 2017, Mayor Murray signed legislation I fully support, assuring that no City employee will be forced to choose between taking care of a loved one or earning a paycheck.

This policy brings us in line with industrialized countries in the rest of the world.

When a new child is born or adopted, City of Seattle employees will now have a minimum guaranteed twelve weeks of paid assistance, and when a family member has a health crisis employees will be guaranteed four weeks of paid family leave to care for that loved one. This legislation is a great investment in our most important asset – dedicated and loyal employees.

I am particularly sensitive to the goals of this comprehensive program, balancing both the needs of new parents as well as the needs of many employees who care for a family member. In my professional career, I have experienced events in both categories and I can attest to the importance of having supportive employers and flexible leave available.  I also know that my dedication and appreciation for my employer doubled as I juggled children and aging parents. Read more here.

Our Age-Friendly City

In my Human Services and Public Health Committee, we will continue to explore what makes Seattle Age-Friendly.  Seattle declared itself an Age-Friendly city this past August.  Here’s where you can learn more about this work that is being done across the nation: Livable Communities for All Ages.  

I would like to hear from you if you have additional thoughts about one of the eight “domains for livability” upon which we are focusing.  What would you like to see?  Think about this: How can your neighborhood be made my inviting, not just for your aging neighbor but for the young mom with a stroller?

1. Outdoor spaces and buildings
2. Transportation
3. Housing
4. Social participation
5. Respect and social inclusion
6. Civic participation and employment
7. Communication and information
8. Community support and health services

Sally Bagshaw

Email: Sally.Bagshaw@seattle.gov
Phone: (206) 684-8801
Online: Council Website