For more than five years, Leon Richardson served in key roles at King County’s Department of Community and Human Services (DCHS). Leon helped steward the King County Veterans Program, making it one of the strongest veterans’ programs in the nation. He led important operations for the County’s COVID-19 response and was crucial to the success of King County’s high-volume vaccination sites in Auburn and Kent. In his role as Adult Services Division Director, he oversaw the renewal of the Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy in 2023 that voters approved with overwhelming support.

It is bittersweet to see Leon move on from DCHS, but we congratulate him on his transition to a new department. Leon has been appointed as the new director of King County’s Department of Local Services.

As a U.S. Army Veteran and current U.S. Army Reservist, Leon brings unique expertise, skills, and knowledge to King County. It is because of his leadership that he will continue to expand access to resources in communities across the region.  

“I have been grateful for Leon’s friendship and partnership as I have stepped into the Director role at DCHS. Leon leads with a clear and bold vision, is keenly invested in doing what’s right for the region, and centers candor and collaboration in everything he does,” shared Kelly Rider, DCHS Director. “DCHS and our community have benefited time and again from Leon’s willingness to adapt and innovate and his ability to deliver results.”

During his time in DCHS, Leon has contributed to:

King County Veterans Program (KCVP)
In his time with DCHS, Leon helped steward the King County Veterans Program, one of the strongest veterans’ program in the nation. From Northgate to Tukwila, KCVP provides veterans, servicemembers, and their families with financial assistance, housing, employment resources, behavioral health, wellness supports, and other supportive services. KCVP is also dedicated to reducing veteran homelessness in King County, housing over 180 veterans through the Collaborative Case Management program.

Veterans, Seniors, and Human Services Levy (VSHSL)
VSHSL invests in access to affordable housing, job training, employment services, emergency financial assistance, support for survivors of domestic violence, behavioral health treatment, and more. Under Leon’s leadership, the 2023 renewal of the VSHSL received overwhelming support at more than 70% voter approval and is already well on its way to expanding investments in trusted community programs.

Previously, as the Deputy ASD Director, Leon helped lead operations of the newly created Adult Services Division and the successful implementation of the expanded VHSHL that expanded to include investments for seniors and caregivers for the first time. The VSHSL has successfully served more than 27,000 veterans, servicemembers, and their families with fewer eligibility barriers than many federal programs.

COVID-19 Response
Leon led extremely important operations for the County’s COVID-19 response and was crucial to the success of King County’s high-volume vaccination sites in Auburn and Kent. Leon’s contributions had a tremendous impact in the region and King County’s recovery from COVID-19.

Eviction Prevention and Rental Assistance Program (EPRAP) and Keep King County Housed (KKCH)
Under Leon’s leadership, ASD led the transition of EPRAP, which distributed nearly $400 million in rental assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the longer-term Keep King County Housed (KKCH) rent assistance and eviction prevention program in partnership with United Way. Since its inception in July 2023, KKCH has served over 1,168 households with an average of $7,210 in rent assistance, as of May 31, 2024.

Emergency response to serve immigrants, refugees and asylees in King County
Since November, Leon has been leading DCHS’ emergency response to temporarily house and support asylum seekers previously residing at Riverton Park United Methodist Church in Tukwila. He has worked tirelessly to coordinate with service providers, state partners, local jurisdictions, and nonprofit organizations to bring additional resources and create enduring housing resources for this community.

“It has been such a privilege to learn from Leon’s calm, yet decisive and powerful ability to lead with caring, kindness, and encouragement,” shared Susan McCallister, Deputy Director of the DCHS Adult Services Division. “He has an ability to rally people to action like I’ve never seen before, which has significantly benefitted community and our internal team alike and speaks to the esteem his team has for him. He will be missed – glad he’s not going far!”

Leon’s commitment to our community has been invaluable for the past five years. Thank you for your service in DCHS!