In response to the leadership changes announced May 16, Seattle Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Rachel Smith issued the following statement:
“Marc Dones has been a dynamic leader for the King County Regional Homelessness Authority, and their commitment to a regional approach, as well as their innovation in the first phases of implementation, were critical to getting this new agency up and running. Marc has been a consistent, transparent partner with the employer community – and me personally as a leader – and for that we are grateful. When it comes to addressing our homelessness crisis, we know the elements needed: shelter that is better than a mat on the floor, by-name lists, available services, accountability in the system, and alignment on an all-hands-on-deck, regional approach. In this moment of transition, and as KCRHA continues to mature, it is critical that they continuously improve processes to help those experiencing homelessness and do so with urgency, as it remains the voters’ top priority.”