Summary:

The Seattle City Council has voted to dedicate up to 25% of any proposed sales tax increase to addiction treatment services as part of a public safety initiative. The measure aims to fill treatment gaps in existing services and expand recovery-based support for people with substance use disorder. If implemented, the sales tax increase could generate close to $40 million a year, with up to $10 million directed toward initiatives that expand on-demand residential and intensive outpatient treatment, enhance recovery housing within supportive housing programs, and develop new strategies to address stimulant use disorder.

The Seattle City Council voted 8-0 Tuesday to approve a resolution dedicating up to 25% of any proposed sales tax increase to addiction treatment services as part of a public safety initiative.

Council President Sara Nelson introduced the measure, which aims to fill treatment gaps in existing services and expand recovery-based support for people with substance use disorder.

“I’m fighting to put treatment at the center of the city’s agenda because addiction is a root cause of our public safety and chronic homelessness challenges,” Nelson said.

She said dedicating new revenue to treatment is both financially responsible and morally necessary.

“Investing in recovery-based services and housing is a fiscally responsible use of this new revenue, and it’s also morally the right thing to do,” Nelson said.

If implemented, the sales tax increase could generate close to $40 million a year. Up to $10 million would be directed toward initiatives that expand on-demand residential and intensive outpatient treatment, enhance recovery housing within supportive housing programs, and develop new strategies to address stimulant use disorder.

The plan would also support the use of long-lasting buprenorphine injections to manage opioid dependence, stabilize diversion programs such as Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) and CoLEAD, fund improvements to treatment facilities, and increase coordination with King County to add Designated Crisis Responders who refer people to withdrawal management and stabilization facilities.

The state Legislature authorized local governments in 2025 to raise the sales and use tax by one-tenth of one percent for public safety programs through House Bill 2015, sponsored by Rep. Debra Entenman and advanced by the Washington State Legislative Black Caucus.

In 2024, 568 overdose deaths were recorded in Seattle. Officials said rising service costs and declining federal support have placed pressure on core programs.

While Mayor Bruce Harrell has not yet introduced a proposal to raise the sales tax, one is expected in the near future.