Seattle’s work in data-driven innovation is making headlines. Two recent news stories spotlight the City’s efforts to deliver real solutions and improved services for residents, with partnership from the Seattle Innovation & Performance Team.
Driving Change with Data and Digital Tools
Innovation & Performance Director Leah Tivoli recently appeared on NPR’s 1A, sharing how Seattle is transforming access to city services through digitization and smarter use of data. One standout project is CiviForm, a tool that streamlines applications for benefit and discount programs. Benefit applications that used to take thirty minutes now take just a little over six. CiviForm recently reached record usership, receiving over 5,000 applications in one month, with nearly one in five users applying for more than one service. Matt Sprenke from the CiviForm team represented the City of Seattle at the 2025 Code for America Summit last week to present on this open-source tool.
The data-driven approach goes beyond just benefits. For example, by analyzing police hiring data and revising recruitment strategies, the City has hired over sixty officers so far this year, six times the number compared to this time last year.
Check out the 1A episode all about how Seattle and other cities are digitizing services.
Leadership That Drives Innovation
Bloomberg Cities Network recently highlighted Mayor Bruce Harrell’s approach to innovation. Mayor Harrell’s “One Seattle” vision brings City departments together, encourages unified data strategies, and engages public and private partners to address big challenges like public safety, homelessness, and affordable housing.
Seattle makes its data public on data.seattle.gov, inviting community members, universities, and tech leaders to help solve local problems. Mayor Harrell also spoke about the importance of partnerships with AI companies to leverage this technology for public good. For example, in March, the City launched a public-private partnership with an AI incubator and a local skills academy. This partnership aims to “connect the dots between the private sector, budding talent, and local problems in need of solutions.”
Seattle Innovation and Performance partners with City departments on a lot of this work. For example, Chief Analytics Officer Stephen Barham partnered with Seattle Information Technology, Mayor Harrell’s Office, and Bloomberg Philanthropies City Data Alliance last year to launch the One Seattle Data Strategy. This three-year plan will help the City improve how we collect, store, use, and share data internally and externally. Innovation & Performance also led the effort to incorporate data into the work of the Unified Care Team to better address homelessness. The team collects and monitors data such as location of encampments and the number of residents accepting shelter.
Read more of The Mayor’s Playbook: Seattle’s Bruce Harrell.
These stories show the power of prioritizing innovation in local government. By unlocking the power of public data and leveraging digital tools, Seattle aims to improve everyday services for residents.