FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear announced that he is directing an additional $38.7 million to Lexington and Louisville to provide assistance with rent and utilities to more Kentuckians financially harmed by the pandemic.
Using federal funds from the commonwealth’s program, the Governor presented Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton with a check for $11.7 million and Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer with a check for $27 million to aid the cities’ programs.
The Governor said the federal funding formula gave Lexington and Louisville, which have their own eviction relief programs, fewer funds than anticipated. In June 2021, the Governor granted each mayor’s request to allocate additional funds to keep their local programs going.
Under the federal emergency rental assistance program that passed Congress in late December 2020, the cities of Lexington and Louisville applied for direct funding from the federal government for their own local rent and utility assistance programs. Lexington received about $9.6 million and Louisville received about $22.8 million for its programs. Now, Lexington has received $23.4 million and Louisville has received $54 million from the state program as well. These funds must be spent by Sept. 30, 2022.
Kentuckians can apply for assistance in Fayette County by visiting covid19renterhelp.org. To apply in Jefferson County, visit stopmyeviction.org.
Healthy at Home Eviction Relief FundThe commonwealth received an allocation of $264 million in federal funds for the emergency rental assistance program. With this, the Beshear administration launched the Team Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF), in partnership with Kentucky Housing Corporation and, working with partners, has paid out $119.7 million in rent and utility assistance to 25,789 Kentucky households. This is an average of $4,639 per household. This includes $108 million in rental assistance and $12.8 million in utility assistance.
The Governor encouraged eligible tenants and landlords across Kentucky to apply for the remaining $55.9 million available for rent and utility assistance. Find out more about the fund at teamkyhherf.ky.gov.
The National Low Income Housing Coalition recently named Kentucky a champion of innovation for its rent and utility assistance program and its success with simplifying the application process for many Kentuckians. The coalition encouraged other states to follow Kentucky’s lead, providing more renters the assistance they need to rebound from COVID.
Team Kentucky Homeowner Assistance FundLast month, Gov. Beshear also announced that thanks to $85.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the commonwealth launched the Team Kentucky Homeowner Assistance Fund. Qualified homeowners can visit teamkyhaf.ky.gov to apply for up to $35,000 in assistance to help with delinquent mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner’s and/or flood insurance, homeowners’ association fees and utility costs.
If approved, the funds will be paid as a grant directly to mortgage servicers, utility companies, county property tax administrators, insurance agencies or homeowners associations.
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