SEATTLE — Most Seattle voters surveyed said the city is becoming harder for families and small businesses to afford, and many expressed little confidence in the city’s ability to address public safety, homelessness and economic challenges. The Seattle Metro Chamber’s latest semiannual Civic Index, conducted by Fulcrum Strategic Group, surveyed 700 Seattle voters from Sept. 23 to Oct. 1. The survey measures voters’ views on quality of life, economic conditions and policy priorities; the information provided does not include a margin of error. Nearly all respondents — 96% — said it was difficult for middle-class families to afford to live in Seattle. Another 95% said it was difficult for small businesses to operate in the city. Sixty-eight percent said the local economy was weakening, compared with 10% who said it was getting stronger. About seven in 10 respondents said businesses were closing or moving to nearby cities because operating costs had become too high. Seventy-two percent said city leaders should do more to keep existing employers and attract new businesses and jobs. Public safety ranked as the leading concern, with 39% naming crime, drugs and safety among the city’s most pressing issues. While 77% said they felt safe downtown during the day, 44% said they felt safe there at night. Sixty-five percent said public safety and quality of life were worse than during the World Cup this summer. Respondents also voiced skepticism about city government’s plans. Three-quarters said they were not confident the city had an effective plan to improve public safety. The share expressing no confidence rose to 85% for reducing homeless encampments and 71% for strengthening the economy and making Seattle a good place to start and grow a business. The results reflect residents’ assessments, not independent measures of crime, business closures or the city’s economic performance. Still, respondents’ priorities pointed to pressure for visible improvements: 92% rated basic maintenance — including potholes, parks and local transportation infrastructure — as a priority. Eighty-six percent prioritized addressing open-air drug markets, and the same share said helping local businesses address safety concerns was important. On city finances, 79% said officials should demonstrate that current spending is producing results before seeking additional taxes from residents or employers. Eighty percent prioritized lowering the cost of starting and operating a business, while 79% supported continued efforts to reduce homeless encampments. Despite the concerns, 75% said they were proud to call themselves Seattleites, and 59% remained optimistic about the region’s future. The combination points to a city where residents retain a strong attachment to their community even as they question whether its institutions and economy are meeting their needs.