LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Advocates in Louisville called on Metro Council to add funds for eviction prevention to the next fiscal year’s budget.

Multiple groups are asking for $16 million in eviction prevention services.

“One of the best ways to address public safety and community safety in our community is to keep people housed,” said Celine Mutuyemariya, with the Black Leadership Action Coalition of Kentucky. “City budgets, to maintain the progress we’ve made over the past three years, are one of the best ways to address public safety and community safety.”

Mutuyemariya said they met with Mayor Craig Greenberg last week to add $16 million in eviction prevention services, but his office refused.

“So now we’re here at the Metro Council. We’re hoping that Metro Council members will put the money in our city budgets to maintain the progress we’ve made over the past three years,” Mutuyemariya said. 

At least a dozen people gathered outside Louisville Metro Hall, calling attention to the issue. 

“Our homelessness rate is already up 139% this year and so if we don’t do anything about eviction prevention, then more people will end up on the streets,” Mutuyemariya said. “And we will have more and more of an uphill battle to con to get those people re-housed and stabilized.”

As of June last year, Louisville distributed $126 million, money from the CARES Act, and helped over 51,000 people stay in their homes.

“There are thousands of evictions that have already been filed this year. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, Louisville’s eviction rate was twice the national average year after year after year,” Mutuyemariya said.

The Black Leadership Action Coalition of Kentucky said in 2021, the eviction rate dropped by 49%.

That’s because of funding, policies and programs developed to keep people housed.

After the rally, several people spoke to the Louisville Metro Budget Committee, all asking for more funds for programs that help people experiencing homelessness and those that are struggling with addiction.