Below are excerpts from King County Executive Dow Constantine’s 09-04-2019 press release about the Regional Homelessness Authority.
Overview
Crafted by Executive Constantine and Mayor Durkan, legislation and approved by the King County Council and Seattle City Council establishes the King County Regional Homelessness Authority to oversee policy, funding, and services for people experiencing homelessness countywide.
The legislation includes a proposed Interlocal Agreement (ILA) and a Charter that authorizes the creation of the new Public Development Authority (PDA) to administer and oversee regional homelessness efforts.
Services
The King County Regional Homelessness Authority will focus on unifying and coordinating the homeless response system for Seattle and King County. Following a thorough review of the programs and services provided by both the city and county, the scope of the Authority will include coordination of all outreach, diversion, shelter, rapid re-housing, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing services and most of the region’s prevention efforts.
Funding
King County will dedicate about $55 million in service and administrative funding (based on 2019 annualized program amounts) and $1.8 million to support start-up. The City of Seattle will dedicate approximately $73 million for services and administrative funding, and up to $2 million for start-up costs. Actual funding will be subject to appropriations through the normal budget process of the respective councils and through a pending decision of the All Home Coordinating Board.
Funding amounts from King County and Seattle include more than $42 million of federally awarded Continuum of Care funds.
Structure
The ILA and charter establish a joint agreement to create a new PDA and describes the role, scope, and purpose of the new regional authority:
- Unified planning and coordination of funding and services for people experiencing homelessness countywide.
- Oversight on policy, contract management, and performance management.
- Continuum of Care functions, as required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to receive federal funding, formerly housed within “All Home.” (pending decisions of the All Home Continuum of Care Board)
- Creation of a new governance structure to guide financial and strategic decision making, including roles and proposed composition of a Steering Committee, Governing Board and Advisory Committees.
- Hiring of an Executive Director with authority to lead the Regional Authority.
- Creation of a new Ombuds Office to serve as a single point of contact for customers.
- Establishment of clear metrics and milestones for measuring success and for ensuring accountability and transparency. …
Governance
The 11-member Governing Board will be comprised of experts who provide guidance, management, and oversight to the PDA. All are confirmed by the Steering Committee. Three members must have lived experience of homelessness. The King County Executive, King County Council, Seattle Mayor, and Seattle City Council each appoint two members. The Steering Committee’s two members with lived experience will jointly appoint three Governing Board members. The Governing Board hires, fires, and reviews the performance of the Executive Director.