Calls grow to dissolve regional homelessness authority after audit flags missing funds

Some city and county leaders are calling for the dissolution of the King County Regional Homelessness Authority after a forensic review found that at least $8 million in public funds could not be fully accounted for.

The audit, conducted by Bellevue-based Clark Nuber, was issued April 17 and shared with members of the Seattle City Council and King County Council on Wednesday. It examined KCRHA’s finances and governance from mid-2021 through July 2025 and found the agency repeatedly operated with negative cash balances beginning in late 2023. That deficit grew to $44.7 million by July 31, 2025.

The flagged funds include an administrative operating deficit of $4.26 million — including $1.26 million in interest costs unlikely to be recovered — along with $8 million in receivables that could not be reconciled due to insufficient documentation.

In a statement posted to the city of Seattle website, Mayor Katie Wilson said addressing homelessness remains her top priority but raised “serious concerns” about KCRHA’s management of public funds.

https://www.bizjournals.com/seattle/news/2026/04/23/audit-king-county-regional-homelessness-authority.html