County Budget Includes Major Investments In Public Safety, Housing, And Health

The King County Council has adopted a $20.16 billion budget for the 2026 to 2027 biennium, prioritizing public safety, housing stability, food security, and increased accountability in government operations. With the passage of the plan on Tuesday, county leaders emphasized its focus on protecting essential services while preparing for anticipated challenges, including cuts to federal housing and health funding.

“This budget reflects our shared values, avoids cuts to public safety, and bolsters funding for key priorities like housing and homelessness, transit, public health, and food security,” said King County Executive Shannon Braddock. “At its core, this budget is about keeping King County a place where every person can thrive.”

The budget, developed in collaboration with the Council’s Budget Leadership Team and led by Councilmember Rod Dembowski, aims to preserve critical services and make targeted investments during what officials expect will be a difficult financial period. Dembowski noted that the Council protected frontline services while advancing transparency.

“With passage of the County’s 2026 to 2027 biennial budget, I’m thankful for the meaningful progress we’ve delivered for the people of King County,” Dembowski said. “We worked to protect essential public safety investments, strengthen our commitment to combating hunger, and increase accountability for how public money is spent.”

Significant funds have been allocated to ensure the continuity of criminal justice and safety systems. The budget includes:

• $175 million to maintain sheriff patrols, prosecutor services, and courthouse security

• $30 million to expand court interpreters, juvenile probation officers, and public defenders

• $18 million for behavioral health services and crisis response

• $2.3 million for survivor support services, including sexual assault and domestic violence programs

Councilmember Sarah Perry praised the Council’s collaboration and the final outcome, saying the budget protects funding in areas that had been vulnerable to cuts.

“Not only did we shore up all the areas previously at risk of losing funding due to the deficit we were facing, but we ultimately approved a budget that funds critical needs in our court system and Sheriff’s Office, invests in vital infrastructure, and supports human services for our most vulnerable,” Perry said.

Housing and homelessness response were also key focuses. The budget allocates $5 million to keep the SoDo shelter open through 2027 and $3 million for 80 new shelter beds in Federal Way. An additional $3 million supports families, youth, and young adults facing housing insecurity.

The Council added new funding to extend this support, including:

• $3.2 million for shelters, tiny home villages, and youth-focused providers

• $3 million for rental assistance, with potential for an additional $3 million in 2026

A growing concern among county leaders is the dramatic shift in federal policy affecting the Continuum of Care program, which currently provides $67 million to Seattle and King County for housing support. New rules from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development limit how much can be spent on permanent housing, which could leave more than 4,500 local residents at risk of losing stable housing.

In response, Councilmember Teresa Mosqueda introduced and passed an amendment to begin planning a regional Continuum of Care contingency fund. The Executive is expected to transmit an appropriations bill by March 2026 to address the gap.

“Our strongest defense against these federal cuts and chaos is the strength of our local partnerships and our unwavering commitment to affordable housing,” Mosqueda said.

In addition to housing, the budget strengthens regional food access. The Council allocated $4 million for food programs and added another $9 million to support food banks, grocery access in underserved areas, and services in unincorporated communities.

Healthcare and behavioral health also received increased attention, including:

• $31 million from hospital tax funds to backfill federal cuts to public health

• $8 million for behavioral health contingencies

• A potential $3 million from underspent 2025 funds to support Continuum of Care programming in 2026

Transit investments aim to restore previously suspended service and improve rider experience. More than 400,000 bus hours will be added throughout the county, and resources are going toward light rail, Dial-a-Ride, paratransit, and Metro Flex programs.

Safety and accessibility enhancements include:

• Continued service for the Juanita Metro Flex and Seattle waterfront shuttle

• Restroom pilots at Shoreline and Burien transit centers

• Security review and consultant support for Metro’s Transit Safety Task Force

To strengthen financial oversight and ensure responsible governance, the budget includes $10 million for improvements in fiscal management and contract monitoring within the Department of Community and Human Services. A new $3 million countywide initiative will establish artificial intelligence policies to prevent bias and protect privacy.

Additional Council allocations include:

• $1.6 million for immigrant and refugee services

• $1.4 million for affordable housing development and the Youth Achievement Center

• $350,000 to support LGBTQ+ community programs

• $3.85 million for workforce development, including training programs in Federal Way and Auburn

Councilmember Jorge L. Barón noted that while the budget sustains vital services, the county must remain cautious as financial pressure builds in future years.

“This budget is designed to provide stability to essential county services and guide our county through what promises to be a challenging two years,” Barón said. “Our capacity to expand critical areas that will face increasing pressure is limited, and collaboration with local partners will be essential.”

While leaders celebrated the comprehensive nature of the budget, they also warned that long-term fiscal sustainability depends on regional partnerships, tax reform, and efficient use of public funds. A structural funding gap remains, as expenses continue to rise faster than the 1 percent property tax cap.

For now, county officials say this budget will keep critical services intact while preparing the region to meet emerging needs with flexibility and focus.