LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Supreme Court is trying out a new program in Jefferson County to help people avoid evictions.
What You Need To Know
- Kentucky Supreme Court pilots program in Jefferson County to avoid evictions
- Program would provide tenants, landlords with resources
- Program would also pause court proceedings so two sides can find solution
- Program may expand across the state
The Eviction Diversion Pilot Project starts when someone receives an eviction notice. Both the tenant and landlord will start receiving information about available resources to pay off past-due rent. The court proceeding would then pause for a week while the two sides try to find a solution.
Kentucky Court of Appeals Chief Judge Denise Clayton helped organize the program.
“We want to affect as many people as we can with this,” Clayton said. "And if landlords come in willing to accept the rent, and tenants understand this money is available and we avoid the eviction, that’s how we’ll know it’s a success.”
Judge Clayton said the program will be tested in Jefferson County because the county already has available resources through Louisville Metro Government and other agencies. The goal is to eventually expand the program to other parts of the state.
The program starts Aug. 24.
Gov. Andy Beshear (D) put a moratorium on evictions for nonpayment of rent because of the coronavirus, but that order and several others face a court challenge.
The Kentucky Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments in that case Sept. 17.