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 Greg Nickels, 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.

Alan Painter, Interim Director
alan.painter@seattle.gov
206-684-0111

Our Mission

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, and work with other City of Seattle departments to support Mayor Nickels’ efforts to build strong families and healthy communities.

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.

How the Human Services Department Addresses the Mayor's Priorities

Build Strong Families and Healthy Communities

The Seattle Human Services Department provides some direct services to Seattle residents and invests 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 of preventing homelessness, hunger, poverty and illness and promoting social and economic independence and success. The plan also focuses our investments on organizations, programs and services that have proved they make a difference in people's lives.

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 also provides administrative support to the entire department for human resources, information technology, budget, finances, and contracting.

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.