Council unanimously approves motion to strengthen oversight, evaluate future of Regional Homelessness Authority

May 5, 2026

The King County Council on Tuesday unanimously approved a motion to strengthen oversight of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) and establish a structured, fact-based process to evaluate its future.

The motion, sponsored by Councilmembers Jorge L. Barón, Steffanie Fain, and Rod Dembowski, follows a recent forensic evaluation of KCRHA that identified patterns of financial mismanagement and inadequate internal controls. In response, the Council is taking action to ensure a thorough understanding of the Authority’s financial condition and identify the viability of system improvements before making any long-term structural decisions.

The adopted motion directs the King County Executive to provide both a near-term briefing and a comprehensive report by August 1, 2026, addressing:

• Corrective actions taken by the Authority in response to the forensic evaluation;

• Administrative funding shortfalls and options to address identified gaps; and

• A detailed decision framework, including performance metrics, benchmarks, and accountability measures to guide consideration of whether to continue, amend, or terminate the County’s participation in the interlocal agreement governing KCRHA.

The motion also calls for comprehensive analysis of transition considerations should structural changes be pursued, including the transfer of contracts and core system functions. Notably, the analysis must address risks to federal Continuum of Care funding, provider payment continuity, and overall system operations.

The Executive is expected to provide an initial briefing in June, followed by a final report by August 1, 2026. The Council will use this information to inform any decisions about the future of the KCRHA or its interlocal agreement with King County, including potential action on an existing motion that would move to end the agreement.

The motion is intended to ensure that any future decision about the Authority’s structure is informed by a comprehensive analysis of financial conditions, system performance, and transition feasibility.

Joint statement from Councilmembers Barón, Fain, and Dembowski:

“The findings of this evaluation are serious and require a thoughtful, fact-based response. Gaps in financial oversight and internal controls point to the need for meaningful change to ensure we are effectively delivering shelter and services to the people who need them.

“KCRHA was created to bring greater regional coordination and partnership to our homelessness response. That goal remains critical, but we must conduct an honest assessment of what is working, what is not, and what changes may be necessary to ensure the system is delivering results.

“Continuity of services and system stability are our top priorities. Any necessary reforms must be implemented in a way that protects providers, preserves critical federal funding, and ensures continued support for those who need it.

“Our responsibility is to ensure the system that emerges is more accountable, more effective, and better equipped to meet the scale of this challenge.”