Summary

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles issued the following statement after Wednesday’s approval by the full council of legislation creating the Regional Homelessness Authority.

Story

King County Councilmember Jeanne Kohl-Welles issued the following statement after Wednesday’s approval by the full council of legislation creating the Regional Homelessness Authority. While the measure is now fully approved at King County, the same proposal needs to be approved by the Seattle City Council. If it is amended, it will need to return to the Regional Policy Committee for further consideration.

“With today’s action, we are one step closer to setting up an authority that truly has the capacity to bring transformational change to the way we serve and respond to those in our community experiencing homelessness.

“This has been an incredibly complex process involving elected leaders, regional stakeholders, county and city agencies, individuals with lived experience, the philanthropic community and experts in the field all with differing points of view on how this new authority should operate.

“Throughout this process, everyone has brought forth concerns and made concessions – everyone. Now it’s the Seattle City Council’s turn to vote on this groundbreaking proposal.

“I remain committed to working with everyone who has been a part of this process throughout the implementation phase.

“Even after full approval by both councils, we will have time to refine and improve this authority so it is well prepared to begin responding effectively to our homelessness crisis on day one.”