The organization charged with managing the regional response to homelessness is facing an existential crisis. 

Some local elected leaders have called for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority after a damning forensic audit from consulting firm Clark Nuber released last month.

The audit reported the agency has lost track of at least $8 million dollars, incurred $4 million of questionable administrative costs, and at one point operated with a negative cashflow of $44 million dollars.

The review found the $200 million dollar agency, which started operations in 2021, didn’t have the necessary oversight, accounting practices or internal financial controls to handle large amounts of public money appropriately.  

King County and the City of Seattle fund the bulk of KCRHA. Now, the city and county are at a decision point: reform the agency or shut it down. And that decision is likely to come this summer. 

KCRHA released a corrective action plan on Friday that outlines steps the agency will take over the next 60 days in response to the audit.   

Guest:

Kelly Kinnison, CEO of King County Regional Homelessness Authority

Relevant Links:

KUOW: King County homelessness agency board votes to tighten purse strings following damning audit

AXIOS: Seattle-area homelessness agency at risk after audit

KCRHA Corrective Action Plan

Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes

Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

The organization charged with managing the regional response to homelessness is facing an existential crisis. 
Some local elected leaders have called for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority after a damning forensic audit from consulting firm Clark Nuber released last month. The audit reported the agency has lost track of at least $8 million dollars, incurred $4 million of questionable administrative costs, and at one point operated with a negative cashflow of $44 million dollars. The review found the $200 million dollar agency, which started operations in 2021, didn&rsquo;t have the necessary oversight, accounting practices or internal financial controls to handle large amounts of public money appropriately.&nbsp;&nbsp;
King County and the City of Seattle fund the bulk of KCRHA. Now, the city and county are at a decision point: reform the agency or shut it down. And that decision is likely to come this summer.&nbsp;
KCRHA released a corrective action plan on Friday that outlines steps the agency will take over the next 60 days in response to the audit. &nbsp; 
Guest:
Kelly Kinnison, CEO of King County Regional Homelessness Authority
Relevant Links:
KUOW: <a href="https://www.kuow.org/stories/king-homelessness-agency-board-votes-to-tighten-pursestrings-amid-fallout-from-damning-audit">King County homelessness agency board votes to tighten purse strings following damning audit</a>
AXIOS:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.axios.com/local/seattle/2026/04/24/king-county-homelessness-authority-audit-financial-problems-seattle-kcrha-future">Seattle-area homelessness agency at risk after audit</a>
<a href="https://kcrha.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/KCRHA-Corrective-Action-Plan-05222026.pdf">KCRHA Corrective Action Plan</a>
Thank you to the supporters of KUOW, you help make this show possible! If you want to help out, go to <a href="http://kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes">kuow.org/donate/soundsidenotes</a>
Soundside is a production of KUOW in Seattle, a proud member of the NPR Network.

Soundside

The organization charged with managing the regional response to homelessness is facing an existential crisis. 