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Tiffany Washington
Deputy Mayor @ City of Seattle | MS Human Services
Tiffany Washington is the Deputy Mayor of the City of Seattle, overseeing operations and strategic direction for several key departments including Homelessness, Education and Early Learning, Human Services, and Public Utilities.1
Professional Background
With over 20 years of experience in public service and nonprofit management, Washington has held her current position as Deputy Mayor since November 2020.1 Prior to this role, she served as Deputy Director and Division Director for the City of Seattle, demonstrating a steady progression in her career within the city government.1
Education and Expertise
Washington holds a Master of Science in Human Services from Capella University and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the University of Washington.1 Her expertise spans program development, grant writing, fundraising, and community engagement.1
Core Mission and Approach
Washington's primary focus is on advancing racial, economic, and educational justice for Seattle's diverse and underserved communities.1 She has a track record of:
- Building responsive and sustainable systems
- Increasing organizational capacity
- Collaborating with multiple stakeholders to achieve positive outcomes
Recent Initiatives and Challenges
In her role, Washington has been addressing Seattle's homelessness crisis. She recently reported progress in reducing the number of tents and RVs on city streets while increasing shelter referrals for homeless individuals.2 However, she also acknowledged ongoing challenges, including:
- Limited solutions for people living in recreational vehicles
- Persistent public safety issues
- Lack of drug and mental health treatment options
- Frequent repopulation of cleared encampment areas2
Washington has also noted that the city's "housing first" approach is being challenged by the fentanyl crisis, indicating a potential shift in strategy for addressing homelessness.3
Outside of her professional life, Washington is passionate about mentoring and advocating for youth, particularly those in foster care and juvenile justice systems.1
