The Seattle Human Services Department (HSD) is pleased to share our just-released 2022 Annual Report with you, highlighting some of the incredible work we accomplished—together with our City and community partners.
“In 2022, we successfully executed a return-to-work plan for staff, enabling us to better serve our community in-person while adhering to all necessary health and safety protocols,” said Acting Department Director Tanya Kim. “Supporting our workforce, including its leadership team, has allowed us to build on our achievements and continue to be one of the largest contributors to Seattle’s safety net for people in times of need.”
During a time when high inflation compounded the economic hardships already experienced by many individuals and families during the COVID-19 pandemic:
- We launched a successful farm-to-childcare pilot providing fresh, Washington-grown produce to over 60 childcare providers.
- We announced over $4.5 million in awards to expand child care access.
- Our direct services supported more than 51,000 older adults, and we continued to support survivors and victims of violence.
- The Utility Discount Program defrayed the cost of utility service to 35,382 households—8,798 who were new to the program.
- We completed the transfer of funds and administration for 160 contracts to King County Regional Homelessness Authority to support infrastructure for addressing homelessness, and the City activated for severe weather response on 41 days of the year.
- Age Friendly Seattle held two online conversations with members of Washington State’s Congressional delegation, which can be viewed on the Aging King County YouTube channel along with their monthly Civic Coffee events on a range of topics to educate the pubic and support healthy aging.
- 302 youth and young adults continued to learn job and career skills and gain access to internship opportunities through the Seattle Youth Employment Program.
This 2022 Annual Report identifies the department’s $271.2 million investment in contracts and direct services investments in six core impact areas: 1) Preparing Youth for Success, 2) Supporting Affordability and Livability, 3) Supporting Safe Communities, 4) Addressing Homelessness, 5) Promoting Public Health, and 6) Promoting Healthy Aging. Across these impact areas, the department invests in programs and services that promote racial equity and create tangible change for the people served.
Turn the pages of the report to view over a dozen key data highlights and read some of the many stories and feedback worth sharing about the impacts these investments made in the community, and especially in the lives of individuals who received services or participated in a program during 2022. The full report can be found on the Human Services Department website or downloaded here.