Council asks mayor to assess King County Regional Homeless Authority after forensic review

The Seattle City Council on June 2 unanimously adopted Resolution 32202 calling for immediate mayoral steps after a forensic evaluation of the King County Regional Homeless Authority (KCRHA).

Sponsor Councilmember Zachary Rinck summarized the resolution’s requests: the mayor should safeguard public funds, submit an initial assessment of whether KCRHA can address the forensic findings, recommend whether the agency should be dissolved or restructured, and, if dissolution is recommended, propose a plan for how to transfer duties and preserve services. The resolution also requests monthly reports to council on progress.

Councilmember Foster, a cosponsor, said the measure is measured and necessary; she and others stressed the critical role of providers and urged that any structural changes avoid disruption to housing and shelter services. Councilmember Rivera said she supports dissolution as the likely outcome but acknowledged it would need to be phased and coordinated with the mayor and county to avoid service interruptions.

Rinck said KCRHA would present its corrective-action plan to the Human Services, Labor and Economic Development Committee on June 6; the resolution aligns the city with similar actions taken by the King County Council.

Council adopted the resolution by unanimous roll-call vote; members emphasized that this is the start of a deliberative process, not an immediate termination of services. Councilmembers asked the mayor’s office to provide a clear timeline and a plan to safeguard service continuity and public funds while assessments proceed.