City HallSaturday, November 7
The head of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority resigns as a review finds a $16.7 million deficit
The SEAtoday team
If you follow homelessness policy, here's Friday's news: KCRHA CEO Kelly Kinnison resigned, effective Nov. 16. NCWLIFE reported that she's the fifth person to lead the authority since its founding in 2019.
The Seattle Times says her exit follows criticism of her handling of the agency's finances. A review found a projected $16.7 million deficit: KCRHA budgeted roughly $1 billion in grant commitments over five years but deployed about $750 million, and it missed an estimated $15.6 million in administrative revenue.
KCRHA spent far less than it budgeted, and a gap followed
- $16.7 million
- projected budget deficit
- $1 billion
- in grant commitments budgeted over five years, roughly
- $750 million
- in program deployment over that time, approximately
- $15.6 million
- in administrative revenue not earned, estimated
Source: FOX 13 Seattle
- Contracts return to Seattle and King County: January 2027
- Layoffs so far: 10, plus six unfilled positions cut
- Housing units a HUD funding loss could endanger: 4,500
Mayor Katie Wilson and King County Executive Girmay Zahilay say they'll recommend interim leadership soon. In July they decided to take back about $160 million in provider contracts, The Stranger reported, leaving KCRHA to coordinate a $67 million federal HUD grant application. County Councilmember Reagan Dunn said the agency was "doomed from the start."
KCRHA's leaders and contracts are changing hands through 2027
- 2019City and county elected leaders vote the authority into existence.
- Mid-2024Kelly Kinnison takes over as the authority's fifth CEO.
- July 2026Wilson and Zahilay decide to take back administration of provider contracts.
- Nov. 16Kinnison's resignation takes effect.
- Jan. 2027Administration of locally funded contracts is set to move back to Seattle and King County.
Sources: FOX 13 Seattle, The Seattle Times, Westside Seattle, The Stranger
Sources: FOX 13 Seattle, The Seattle Times, NCWLIFE, Westside Seattle, The Stranger