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Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell is seeking reelection partly based on the claim he’s responsible for adding 3,000 emergency housing units which he has referred to in ads and debates. But a deeper look reveals that’s an embellishment.

During his 2021 campaign, Harrell promised to add 2,000 units of shelter and supportive housing for homeless people. He later said after entering office that he would “identify” 2,000 units.

He says about 2,000 units have opened during his term so far and another 1,000 are in the works.

But he is counting housing units that were funded during his predecessor’s tenure as we

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