LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear announced millions will go to Kentuckians struggling to pay their rent and utilities. Tuesday Beshear presented Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer with a check for $27 million and Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton a check for $11.7 million to help continue each city’s rental assistance programs.

What You Need To Know

  • Beshear presented Louisville and Lexington with millions for eviction relief

  • Both cities have their own assistance programs

  • The cities have until Sept. 2022 to spend all of the money

  • Kentuckians can apply for help online

Gov. Beshear used funds from the commonwealth’s program to help Louisville and Lexington. Both cities have their own eviction relief programs, but said the federal funding formula gave both cities less money than expected.

In a statement, Beshear said, “Whether it is the loss of income due to a family member’s death or continued medical bill hardships brought on by COVID, we owe it to those harmed by the pandemic to help them in this unprecedented time of need.”

Louisville and Lexington applied for direct funding from the federal government under the federal emergency rental assistance program that Congress passed in Dec. 2020. Lexington received $9.6 million and Louisville $22.8 million. The state has given Lexington $23.4 million and Louisville $54 million. They must spend all of this money by Sept. 30, 2022.

“Two years ago today, Lexington experienced its first case of COVID-19 involving a Fayette County resident,” Mayor Gorton said. “Since then, the pandemic has touched every corner of our community. Thanks to Gov. Beshear for helping our city. These funds have been essential, allowing us to keep people in their homes. These funds have gone to people who are truly low income–88% of those who have received rent assistance have had incomes lower than 50% of our area’s median income.”

Mayor Fischer said. “These programs have been successful because of great partnerships between Louisville Metro, the state, the court system and our local nonprofits, which worked tirelessly alongside the staffs at the Office of Housing and Community Development and the Office of Resilience and Community Services, to provide a lifeline for many of our residents.”

Kentuckians can apply for help in Fayette County by visiting covid19renterhelp.org. To apply in Jefferson County, visit stopmyeviction.org.

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