LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Applying for eviction prevention assistance just became a bit easier in Louisville.

Louisville Metro Government removed the income requirement for all of its eviction prevention assistance programs to help streamline the application process, Mayor Greg Fischer announced Wednesday. Instead, the income requirement has been replaced with a maximum cap on monthly rental assistance.

Eligible residents can now receive a maximum of $1,750 per month in rental assistance for up to six months, while the amount of assistance will continue to be determined based on applicants' individual rental rates and amount of back rent owed. Other requirements will remain in place, including proof of COVID-19 impact and notice of overdue payment or pending eviction case.

“We’re making this change to streamline the intake process to get help to our residents facing eviction more quickly. So many tenants have accumulated rent debt due to previous COVID-19-related unemployment, and while some may have regained employment, they’re still in a catch-22 where they might never be able to get caught up on their rent payments and stabilize their household without assistance,” said Fischer.

Previously, for a single person, those earning over $15.66 would have been over the income limit for the program.

Louisville Metro Government put $21.2 million in federal CARES Act dollars toward eviction prevention assistance over the summer. Through the Office of Resilience and Community Services, the city established the Eviction Prevention for Households Program, and the Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Program through the Office of Housing.

The Office of Housing also partnered with the court system and Legal Aid Society on the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program, which is meant to act as a backstop for eviction as cases enter the court system. The programs have allocated $5.4 million as of Oct. 16, assisting 3,246 households and 6,199 total residents in Jefferson County.

Louisville Metro also reallocated $3 million from the Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Program to the Coalition for the Homeless and the Association of Community Ministries for eviction prevention programs.

“Secure and safe housing is the most basic need and right of every Louisvillian, and the expansion of the eviction prevention program is not only important, but essential,” said District 3 Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey. “There is unprecedented need at this time that spans beyond race, socioeconomic status and geography. This program is the very best for anyone facing their worst, and it shows we are a compassionate Louisville.” 

If you are having trouble paying rent, notify your landlord as soon as possible. Next, call 211 and tell them you need rental assistance to apply over the phone. You can also apply for assistance online.