COVINGTON, Ky. —  Using CARES Act funding, Covington is helping out families and landlords.

What You Need To Know


  • New Covington program uses CARES money as incentive to landlords

  • Landlords who participate in program receive $500

  • Program open to all of Kenton County

Money from the CARES Act is now offered as an incentive to landlords through the city's Housing Choice Voucher Program.

The city says there are some 126 low-income families in Covington who qualify as potential tenants under the program commonly known as Section 8. But the city said there aren't enough landlords participating in the program.

Property owner Sandy Hamilton is an exception.

“Plus the fact that I’ve had such nice tenants that take care of the property know that they are going to be inspected and the rent is regularly coming in, so they will also stay a long time with me,” Hamilton said. 

The pandemic has certainly caused a strain on many people’s wallets.

“We’ve been through recessions and economic troubles before, but this is almost touched every family,” said Kim Phillips, coordinator of the Houston Choice Voucher Program

Phillips said this is perhaps the first time many families have experienced an impact due to larger circumstances.

“Sometimes tenants have trouble finding housing so we thought this might be a nice incentive to encourage property owners to participate in our program,” Phillips said.

Covington is using the money they received from the CARES Act and offering $500 bonuses to landlords who sign a new lease through the city's program. There is at least one stipulation that the leases must be new and not just transfers. This program is open to all of Kenton County.

“We have so many families looking for housing right now who aren’t able to use our program because they can’t find landlords. So we’re hoping that we can bring the two together to offer these services,” Phillips said.

As for Hamilton, she’ll soon sign up to take part in the incentive program for a unit she’ll soon list.

“I just hope other landlords will look into the opportunity because you do get to pick the tenant that you want, you can run background checks, look into them as much as any other tenant and i find them to be very reliable and i also find that the tenants do take care of the property more than someone might think,” Hamilton said.

So far Covington has helped out 14 families since the start of the program.

The coordinator said as of now, they have until December to offer the incentives.