About Us

The Seattle Human Services Department is working to create a comprehensive and integrated human services system to significantly reduce or end homelessness, hunger and violence in our community and improve the health and well-being of everyone who calls the Seattle area home.

We work in close collaboration with Mayor Mike McGinn, the Seattle City Council, King County, United Way of King County, Public Health - Seattle & King County, and other regional partners.

On this Web site, you'll find information regarding a variety of programs and services that we operate or fund, as well as links to many other helpful human services resources in the community. We welcome your questions and suggestions.

Our Vision, Mission, Values

The Human Services Department funds and operates programs and services that meet the basic needs of the most vulnerable people in our community — families and individuals with low incomes, children, domestic violence victims, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

We invest in programs that help people gain independence and success. We provide direct services to Seattle residents and invest about $88 million per year in more than 230 community-based organizations. Those organizations provide a wide range of services and employ hundreds of people. Our Strategic Investment Plan maps out our goals.

Vision - The vision of the Seattle Human Services Department is that all basic needs in our communities are met through innovative and collaborative approaches. Greater Seattle is a place where the richness of our diversity is valued, all of our communities thrive, and people grow up and grow old with opportunity and dignity.

Mission - The mission of the Seattle Human Services Department is to connect people with resources and solutions during times of need so we can all live, learn, work and take part in strong, healthy communities.

Values - We accomplish our mission by adhering to core values and funding programs whose work supports them:

• Vision – we are future-focused, funding outcomes that create a stronger community.
• Innovation – we foster an environment where creativity and new approaches are valued, tested, refined and implemented.
• Results – we fund and administer programs that are accountable, cost-effective, and research-based, ensuring people receive high-quality services.
• Equity –our resources are devoted to addressing and eliminating racial, social, economic, and health disparities in our community.
• Creative collaboration – we share the collective wisdom of our colleagues and community to develop and implement programs.
• Service – we ensure the programs we support are accessible to all community members and deliver high-quality, welcoming customer service.

Our Organization

Aging and Disability Services

Aging and Disability Services is sponsored by the City of Seattle, King County and United Way of King County, and is the Area Agency on Aging or the Seattle-King County region and administers the Mayor's Office for Senior Citizens.

Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention

The Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention Office guides the City's response to domestic violence through planning, policy and program development, interdepartmental coordination, education and training, consultation and technical assistance, resource development, research, and provision of contracted services.

Early Learning and Family Support

Early Learning and Family Support provides direct services and funds local nonprofit agencies to offer preschool, child care, meals and provider training.

Homelessness Intervention and Block Grant Administration

Homelessness Intervention and Block Grant Administration provides resources and direct services to low-income and homeless people of Seattle. We help individuals and families to find, keep and maintain shelter, housing, utility services and food. We are deeply involved in implementing the Ten-Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County

Leadership and Administrative Services

The Director's Office in the Leadership and Administrative Services division provides leadership, policy development, planning and information necessary for the management of the Human Services Department. This division provides administrative support to the entire department for human resources, information technology, budget, finances, and contracting. Also housed in the division are public health policy support and the PeoplePoint program which helps people with low and moderate incomes to apply for a number of benefit programs.

Youth Development and Achievement

Youth Development and Achievement provides direct services and funds local nonprofit agencies to offer a variety of programs, including Upward Bound (program for college-bound teens), youth employment, and juvenile justice planning and violence prevention.

Seattle Human Services Department
Street address: 700 5th Avenue, Suite 5800, Seattle, WA 98104
Mailing address: PO Box 34215, Seattle, WA 98124-4215

Phone: 206-386-1001
Fax: 206-233-5119
TTY/TTD: 206-233-2778

Accommodations for people with disabilities provided upon request.