LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville residents in need of rental assistance received some good news Friday as Mayor Greg Fischer announced the city is reopening applications for eviction prevention assistance. Louisville Metro received around $22.9 million in federal funds thanks to the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
Beginning Monday, Feb. 15, the city’s Office of Resilience and Community Services will start accepting new appointments for those in need of assistance due to financial hardship from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Office of Housing already has begun processing applications for assistance through the Court Eviction Diversion Program and will begin accepting applications from community service providers on behalf of tenants needing assistance.
Previously receiving assistance does not preclude renters from being eligible for additional assistance, Fischer said. Louisville Metro had provided a total of $20.7 million in rental assistance to more than 17,300 Louisville residents as of Jan. 31.
“Using an initial $21 million from the 2020 federal CARES Act, we have been successful in helping thousands of Louisvillians maintain safe and stable housing, but we know people are continuing to struggle to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That is why this additional federal assistance is critical to preventing a tide wave of evictions and homelessness,” Fischer said. “I encourage everyone in need of assistance to please reach out.”
Eligible persons and households may receive assistance for past-due rent dating as far back as April 2020, plus an additional three months of assistance for future rent payments if needed to ensure housing stability.
According to federal regulations, eligible households must:
- Qualify for unemployment or have experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced a financial hardship due to COVID-19;
- Demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability; and
- Have a household income at or below 80 percent of the area median.