WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) awarded more than $23 million to Louisville, Lexington and the Commonwealth of Kentucky for their response to the coronavirus, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell announced Thursday. The money is being made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, the largest economic rescue package in history.
The funding is part of HUD’s Emergency Solutions Grants program, which provides targeted assistance for homeless Kentuckians in emergency transition shelters and supports local services responding to the coronavirus. Before this announcement, HUD has already directed nearly $70 million from the CARES Act to housing and community development programs throughout Kentucky.
“Funding of this magnitude and at this critical time is life-saving and life-changing for those experiencing homelessness in our city,” said Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton.
The distribution of the funds is as follows:
• $14.5 million for the State of Kentucky
• $5.43 million for the City of Louisville
• $3.22 million for City of Lexington
“The CARES Act directs rapid relief to families and communities across the nation as they respond to the coronavirus,” said McConnell. “The CARES Act is making substantial investments into helping protect vulnerable Kentuckians from the spread of the coronavirus as they face this crisis. Distributing these federal funds to local governments where they’re most needed will bolster compassionate responses to this health and economic emergency.”
“This funding will allow individuals and families without a home the opportunity to be safe and healthy while practicing all CDC recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19,” said Polly Ruddick, director of Homelessness Prevention and Intervention in Lexington. “Additionally, it will help individuals and families secure permanent housing, ultimately reducing and ending homelessness here in Fayette County.”
“We commend Congress’ allocation of COVID-19 resources from the CARES Act to support people experiencing homelessness with shelter, prevent families from losing their homes to eviction, and front-end rental assistance. Homeless service providers from Paducah to Pikeville stand ready to deploy Emergency Solutions Grant funding to help Kentuckians today,” said Adrienne Bush, executive director of the Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky.
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