³ÉÈËXÕ¾

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ NEWSRADIO OPINION

Gee Scott: ‘I don’t have faith’ in King County Regional Homelessness Authority

May 22, 2023, 2:11 PM | Updated: 3:17 pm

King County Regional Homelessness Authority KCRHA 5-year plan...

In an aerial view, a homeless encampment, known informally as "Dope Slope" stands covered in garbage near downtown Seattle on March 12, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

(Photo by John Moore/Getty Images)

The King County Regional Homelessness Authority (KCRHA) has been in flux after the recent departure of CEO Marc Dones. A new report shed light on the salaries of the highest-paid employees, where many are getting paid well over six-figures.

“I don’t have faith” in the Gee Scott said on Monday’s Gee & Ursula Show.

“I had someone reach out to me within the King County Regional Housing Authority, the governing committee, and they basically said to me, I can tell you right now, quote, ‘It is chaotic as h***,'” Gee continued.

“I never really have felt a vibe, a connection with King County and/or Seattle leadership and the King County Housing Authority. It doesn’t feel like they’re lockstep,” Gee said. “I haven’t seen one statement to make me think that they work together. You said something this morning, Ursula, and I’m gonna take your words. This is just one more bureaucratic response. This is just more of a layer that is layered which is in the way that is collecting a lot of dollars.”

KCRHA was formed in 2019, and it has a five-year plan to dramatically reduce homelessness, but many say they are way off course.

Ross: Trillions in taxes are being stolen by the wealthy

“Every headline is made up of just another disaster,” Ursula Reutin said. “Who’s running this thing? The CEO has stepped down. Aren’t there supposed to be other cities that are part of this like Kent, Renton, or Auburn? All these different cities that are supposed to be working together.”

 has a concern about the pricetag:

$12 billion and adds 15,690 shelter beds at a cost of $3.3 billion with annual operating costs of $1 billion. There are no specifics on how this plan will be funded. There is not a roadmap on how KCRHA will accomplish this. The current KCRHA budget for emergency shelters is $90 million. We ask, how is it realistic or feasible to scale up that amount? For the purpose of comparison, Seattle’s entire budget for 2023-24 is $7.4 billion.

Real Change also said the urgent and primary focus of getting 7,619 unsheltered homeless people indoors is getting lost.

“It’s only been in existence for a couple of years. And there’s always the growing pains and that kind of thing,” Ursula said. “But I think, just from its inception, there are some serious flaws in the setup. And then in its communication about what it is actually accomplishing.”

Listen to Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin weekday mornings from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio, 97.3 FM. Subscribe to the podcast here.

Gee and Ursula Show

³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio Opinion

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Jake & Spike Interview Hydroplane Champ Andrew Tate

Hydroplane Champion Andrew Tate joins Jake and Spike from the pit ahead of the legendary races! Listen to the Jake and Spike Show every weekday from 12pm – 3pm on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM. Listen to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

24 hours ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Why Do Young Women Lean Left and Men Don’t?

Angela Poe Russell stopped by SMN to lead a discussion on why young female voters in Seattle are veering left more, and why young men are going the opposite direction. Listen to Seattle’s Morning News w/ Charlie Harger and Manda Factor every weekday at 5am on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to […]

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell Speaks Before the Primary

Mayor Bruce Harrell joins the Gee & Ursula Show ahead of next week’s Primary Election to discuss the housing affordability crisis and more. Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show every weekday at 9am on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM. Listen to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: The Truth in Job Advertising and Accountability Act

Eric Thompson stopped by Seattle’s Morning News to talk about the prevalence of “ghost job” listings and his push to draft legislation to crack down on them. Listen to Seattle’s Morning News w/ Charlie Harger and Manda Factor every weekday at 5am on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

1 day ago

...

MyNorthwest Video

Video: Ryan Mello Talks First 6 Months in Office

Pierce County Executive Ryan Mello joined the Gee & Ursula Show after 6 months in office to give an update. Listen to the Gee and Ursula Show every weekday at 9am on ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM. Listen to ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ Newsradio 97.3 FM or go to MyNorthwest.com to learn more!

1 day ago

Photo: Two river otters. WDFW recently reported a child was involved in an animal attack when an ot...

Gee Scott and Ursula Reutin Show

‘I think there’s some liability’: ³ÉÈËXÕ¾ hosts debate who’s at fault for Bremerton otter attack

The mother of a young child who was violently attacked by a river otter at the Bremerton Marina last year has filed a lawsuit against the Port of Bremerton

2 days ago

Gee Scott: ‘I don’t have faith’ in King County Regional Homelessness Authority