Frankfort, Ky. (May 5, 2022) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that starting Monday, May 9, Jefferson County tenants and landlords can apply for rental assistance through Team Kentucky’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund.
Team Kentucky initially received $264 million in federal funding for its 118-county eviction relief program, and Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government and Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government each received funding to run local programs. The federal funding formula gave Lexington and Louisville fewer funds than anticipated, and the mayors of both cities asked the Governor for Team Kentucky funds to help them continue running their local programs. To date, the Governor has allocated $23.4 million to Lexington, and Louisville has received $54 million from the state’s program.
As of April 29, Louisville had exhausted all of its rent assistance funding, which included $41 million directly from the U.S. Treasury and $54 million from Team Kentucky, leaving many Louisville residents in jeopardy of eviction.
“Once again, we are showing that Team Kentucky spirit by partnering with leaders in Louisville to continue to help Kentuckians negatively impacted by the pandemic,” Gov. Beshear said. “By adding Jefferson County to our program, we are helping to ensure those in need, whether they have had a loss of income due to a family member’s death or have continued medical hardships, have access to rental assistance.”
“Thank you to Gov. Beshear, Team Kentucky and the Kentucky Housing Corporation family for their continued support and dedication to providing financial support to those who have experienced an economic hardship due to the COVID pandemic,” Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer said. “This continuation of aid for the residents of Louisville/Jefferson County is duly needed, and this assistance is critical to providing housing stability to families who are working to recover from the pandemic.”
Renters and landlords can view a complete list of requirements and apply for rental assistance through stopmyeviction.org or teamkyhherf.ky.gov for up to 12 months of past-due rent and utility bills and three months of future payments.
The Kentucky Housing Corporation recommends that Jefferson County tenants with a scheduled eviction court case contact the Legal Aid Society at 502-584-1254 and contact their landlord and ask to remain as they apply for rent assistance. Third parties can also help tenants complete the online application, and instructional videos are available to help applicants. Team Kentucky also has a customer service line – 833-597-3687 – to help Spanish-speaking applicants.
Lexington area residents will continue to apply for rental assistance through the Fayette County program at covid19renterhelp.org.
As of April 29, 2022, Team Kentucky has provided $139.3 million in rent and utility assistance to 30,818 households, and it ranks 18th in the nation in funds distributed to those in need. The National Low Income Housing Coalition named Kentucky a “champion of innovation” for its rent and utility assistance program and its success with simplifying the application process for many Kentuckians.
Team Kentucky Homeowner Assistance Fund
Earlier this year, Gov. Beshear announced that, thanks to $85.4 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the commonwealth launched the Team Kentucky Homeowner Assistance Fund. Qualified homeowners can visit teamkyhaf.ky.gov to apply for up to $35,000 in assistance to help with delinquent mortgage payments, property taxes, homeowner’s and/or flood insurance, homeowners’ association fees and utility costs. If approved, the funds will be paid as a grant directly to mortgage servicers, utility companies, county property tax administrators, insurance agencies or homeowners’ associations. Since February 2022, Team Kentucky has distributed more than $3.4 million to more than 300 homeowners. The average payment per household is $14,000.
To further help all Kentuckians combat rising prices due to inflation brought on by the global pandemic, Gov. Beshear announced in February that he is providing immediate vehicle property tax relief by holding vehicle values at 2021 levels through 2023, which is estimated to save Kentucky vehicle owners more than $370 million in vehicle property taxes. As a result, vehicle owners will pay the same amount in tax in 2022 and 2023 as they paid in 2021, provided they own the same vehicle, it is in similar condition and they continue to live in the same county.
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