The pilot, called Streets to Housing, was launched ahead of Seattle’s World Cup matches, when large crowds were expected in Pioneer Square. Outreach workers identified 80 people sleeping outside and connected them with services and shelter, according to the city’s account of the effort.

Wilson said 47% of those matched had experienced homelessness for more than three years, 77% had addiction or mental health challenges, and 16 were seniors. Her administration plans to extend the approach to other parts of the city, prioritizing people living outside in areas where encampments affect parks, sidewalks and other public spaces.

The strategy follows a framework developed by Community Solutions, which Seattle says has also been used in Denver and Houston. Wilson said the city intends to carry it out using existing resources and alongside her shelter-acceleration initiative.

The administration is proposing 960 shelter beds over the next two years, including 400 by the end of this year. The plan is expected to serve about 1,750 people annually at an estimated cost of $37 million.

Wilson campaigned on adding 1,000 shelter beds each year, or 4,000 over her four-year term. She later said financial constraints and the pace of city government made that goal difficult to meet.

“We need a homelessness response that matches the scale and complexity of the challenge,” Wilson said.

The city’s proposed 2027 budget totals $9.1 billion across all funds, a 2.2% increase from 2026. It sets aside $500 million for affordable housing, renters and homelessness services, including $183.5 million for the homelessness response and $140 million in JumpStart funding for the Office of Housing. The proposal also includes $57 million for food security and access.