King County Council approves sales tax increase for family homeless shelters

The King County Council approved a 0.01% sales tax increase in a 6–3 vote Tuesday to fund emergency shelter and services for homeless children and families. The measure adds one penny per $100 purchase and is expected to raise up to $10 million per year over the next three years. Taking effect January 1, the hike will push Seattle’s total sales tax rate to 10.56%. Enabled by recent state legislation, the council was able to enact the tax without a public ballot measure. The statute grants local governments the authority to fund childcare, housing, and youth programs, leaving County Executive Girmay Zahilay discretion to allocate proceeds during upcoming budget cycles. If individual cities within the county decide to enact their own version of the tax, their collections will offset the county s share to prevent double taxation. The increase comes as voters prepare to weigh in on the November ballot including a vote on the 2026 Seattle Transit Measure, a proposed 10-year renewal funded b