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Finding Kentucky rent relief remains a critical need for many residents across the Commonwealth. If you need help paying rent in KY, understanding where to turn for support can feel overwhelming, especially as assistance programs evolve. Major statewide emergency rental assistance initiatives established during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, such as the Team Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF) and the Team KY Eviction Diversion Program (KY-EDP), are significant examples of programs that are no longer accepting new applications as of early 2025. The KY-EDP specifically stopped taking applications on April 1, 2025, due to federal funding limitations.
The closure of these large, centralized programs marks a significant shift in how housing assistance is accessed in Kentucky. While those specific portals are no longer entry points for new aid requests, it does not mean help has disappeared entirely. Instead, support is now primarily available through ongoing state and federal programs, often administered by local partner organizations, and specific initiatives within larger communities.
Purpose of This Guide
This article serves as a guide to the currently available options for emergency rental assistance Kentucky, help with utility bills, resources for eviction prevention Kentucky, and ways to find affordable housing throughout the state in 2025. This guide focuses on providing clear, actionable information about the Kentucky housing assistance resources available now. We will explore statewide programs still offering support, highlight specific resources in Louisville and Lexington, provide practical steps for applying, and point towards additional housing stability resources. The goal is to help Kentuckians navigate the current landscape and connect with the help they need.
Several programs offer potential rent and utility assistance across Kentucky, although availability often depends on funding levels and specific eligibility rules. Unlike the previous centralized portals, accessing help now often involves connecting with local agencies or specific program partners.
A. Kentucky ERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP)
Program Overview
The Kentucky ERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP) utilizes federal Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) funds provided through the American Rescue Plan Act. While the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) administers these funds, the actual assistance is delivered to residents through various nonprofit partners located across the state. KHC has awarded these ERA2 funds to numerous nonprofits, including those specifically serving Kentuckians experiencing homelessness, indicating a targeted approach to distributing the remaining aid.
What KyERA2-PP Offers
Through these partner agencies, KyERA2-PP may offer several types of assistance to eligible households. This can include help with past-due rent to prevent eviction, short-term rental assistance (up to 3 months), or medium-term rental assistance (up to a total of 18 months combined across all ERA1 and ERA2 programs). For households experiencing homelessness, assistance might also cover rehousing costs like security deposits, application fees, utility deposits, and even limited funds for moving expenses or essential furniture. Additionally, the program can fund housing stability services, such as case management and housing-related legal aid.
Who is Eligible?
Eligibility for KyERA2-PP financial assistance requires meeting several criteria. Applicants must be renters with an obligation to pay rent and have experienced some form of economic hardship during or due to the COVID-19 pandemic (this can include income loss, significant costs, or other financial difficulties). Applicants must also be at risk of homelessness or housing instability.
Household income must generally be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for their county, and the household cannot have already received the maximum 18 months of federal Emergency Rental Assistance. KHC provides income limit details based on county and household size.
How to Find KyERA2-PP Help
Finding help through the KyERA2-PP requires a different approach than previous statewide programs. Because KHC distributes these funds through various nonprofit partners across the state , there isn't one central website for renters to apply directly. This means individuals need to identify and connect with a local organization administering the funds, making proactive outreach essential.
The recommended first step is often contacting your local Community Action Agency (detailed below), as they are key service providers statewide. Alternatively, individuals can inquire directly with KHC about participating nonprofit partners in their specific area by emailing the program at KyERA2PP@kyhousing.org.
B. Community Action Kentucky Network
Statewide Reach
The Community Action Kentucky network consists of 23 local non-profit agencies with outreach offices covering all 120 Kentucky counties. These agencies serve as vital hubs, offering a range of support services aimed at promoting economic stability and well-being. They are a primary resource for Kentuckians seeking help paying utility bills in KY and navigating other assistance programs.
LIHEAP Utility Assistance
A key program administered by Community Action Agencies is the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). LIHEAP offers assistance through different phases during the year. Currently, the LIHEAP Spring Subsidy phase is active, running from April 15 through May 30, 2025. This component specifically helps eligible households offset the cost of their electric bills with a one-time benefit, paid directly to the utility provider.
Eligibility for the Spring Subsidy requires a household income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level, and applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. To apply, residents must contact their local Community Action Agency office and provide necessary documentation, including proof of Social Security numbers for all household members, proof of the previous month's income, and their most recent electric bill. Other LIHEAP components, like the Winter Crisis program or partnerships with specific utility companies (Home Energy Assistance - HEA), operate at different times of the year.
Beyond LIHEAP: Other Services
Beyond LIHEAP, Community Action Agencies are crucial connectors to broader support. They may offer other forms of financial assistance for needs like food or housing, depending on available funding and local partnerships. Importantly, they are often knowledgeable about or may even be direct partners in administering other programs like the KyERA2-PP, making them an excellent starting point for anyone seeking help.
Their presence in every county makes them one of the most consistently accessible resources for navigating assistance options statewide. To find your local agency and their contact information, visit the Community Action Kentucky website at www.capky.org/network. Calling the local office directly is the best way to learn about available services.
C. Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Programs & Resources
KHC's Role
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) is the state's housing finance agency and administers various federal and state housing programs beyond the ERA2 partnership. While some KHC programs offer direct assistance, others work through local partners.
Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8)
One of the most well-known KHC programs is the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program, commonly known as Section 8. This program provides long-term rental subsidies to help very low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities afford housing in the private market. However, it's crucial to know that KHC's statewide HCV waiting list has been CLOSED since July 26, 2024, and new applications are not being accepted through KHC at this time.
Even when the waiting list is open, the demand far exceeds the available vouchers, leading to potentially long waits, sometimes several years. For questions specifically about the KHC HCV waiting list status, individuals can email hcvwaitinglist@kyhousing.org. Note that some local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in larger cities like Louisville or Lexington manage their own HCV programs and may have different waiting list statuses; it is advisable to check directly with the local PHA.
Other KHC Housing Programs
KHC also oversees other rental assistance and housing programs, such as the HOME Investment Partnerships Program's Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (HOME TBRA) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) program. These programs fund activities like rental subsidies, homelessness prevention, rapid re-housing, and shelter operations.
Generally, individuals access assistance from these programs not by applying directly to KHC, but through local government entities or nonprofit organizations that receive funding grants from KHC. Funding for these programs often operates in cycles; for example, the application period for the 2024/2025 ESG funding closed in June 2024, with the next round anticipated in 2026.
KHC Housing Search Tools
For those searching for housing, KHC offers resources like the Kentucky Rents platform (powered by Padmission), which helps connect landlords participating in KHC programs with renters seeking units. KHC also provides a Community Resource Guide listing agencies and services by county, including potential housing options. General information about KHC programs can be found at www.kyhousing.org or by calling 502-564-7630 (or toll-free in KY: 877-552-7368).
Summary of Active Statewide Assistance Avenues (Mid-2025)
The landscape of statewide assistance requires knowing where to turn. This table summarizes the main active avenues:
| Program/Resource | Administering Body | Type of Assistance | Key Eligibility Note | How to Access/Contact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KyERA2-PP | KHC via Nonprofits | Rent, Utilities, Rehousing | Income ≤80% AMI, COVID hardship | Contact Local Community Action or KyERA2PP@kyhousing.org |
| LIHEAP Spring Subsidy | Community Action Agencies | Electric Bills | Income ≤150% FPL | Contact Local Agency (www.capky.org/network) - Ends May 30 |
| Other Comm. Action Svcs | Community Action Agencies | Varies (Utilities, Food, Referrals) | Varies | Contact Local Agency (www.capky.org/network) |
| KHC HCV (Section 8) | KHC / Local PHAs | Long-term Rent Subsidy | Very Low Income | KHC LIST CLOSED (July 2024); Check local PHA status |
| KHC Other Programs (ESG, HOME) | KHC via Partners | Rent, Homeless Services | Varies | Access via funded local partners/CoCs |
This table provides a quick reference to help navigate the available statewide resources and identify the appropriate starting points for seeking assistance.
Kentucky's largest metropolitan areas, Louisville and Lexington, often manage their own specific programs and resources for residents facing housing challenges. This is partly because federal programs sometimes allocate funds directly to larger cities or counties, and these areas may have dedicated agencies to address local needs. Notably, the former Team KY Eviction Diversion Program excluded Jefferson (Louisville) and Fayette (Lexington) counties because they operated their own distinct eviction relief efforts.
A. Louisville / Jefferson County
Local Support Network
Residents of Louisville and Jefferson County have access to a local network of support, often centralized through the StopMyEviction.org website, which serves as a key information hub.
Active Assistance Programs (Mid-2025)
Several specific assistance programs are currently active as of mid-2025:
Accessing Louisville Resources
To access these resources, residents should utilize the Neighborhood Place appointment schedulers, contact the Legal Aid Society if facing court action, and regularly check StopMyEviction.org for the latest information, resource navigation forms, and updates. The presence of dedicated local programs and a central resource hub suggests a more structured, though still complex, local system for housing assistance compared to relying solely on statewide resources.
B. Lexington / Fayette County
Changes in Lexington Assistance
The situation for rental assistance in Lexington and Fayette County has changed significantly since the peak of pandemic-related aid. The primary local program distributing federal COVID-19 emergency rent and utility funds, operated by the Community Action Council in partnership with the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government (LFUCG), ended in November 2023 because its funding was exhausted. This means the large-scale, dedicated portal previously used (like covid19renterhelp.org) is no longer active for that purpose.
Key Resources in Lexington (Mid-2025)
With the conclusion of that major local initiative, Lexington residents seeking rent or housing assistance now primarily rely on the broader statewide network and resources focused on specific needs:
Current Landscape in Lexington
The end of Lexington's large, dedicated rental assistance program underscores the reliance on temporary emergency funding streams. Currently, residents facing housing instability in Fayette County must navigate a system more dependent on utility-specific aid like LIHEAP, legal defense services for eviction, and the general statewide support network, rather than a centralized local rent relief application process.
Navigating the application process for rent and utility assistance requires preparation and persistence. While specific steps vary by program and agency, following this general checklist can help streamline the process:
Successfully applying for assistance often involves careful preparation, gathering extensive documentation, and actively engaging with the application process. Being organized and persistent is key to navigating the requirements of different programs.
Addressing housing instability often requires more than just temporary financial aid for rent or utilities. Several other resources across Kentucky can provide crucial support for long-term stability.
A. Eviction Prevention and Legal Aid
Finding Legal Help
Facing eviction can be frightening, but legal help is available. Tenants facing eviction court should immediately seek assistance from their regional Legal Aid organization. These non-profits provide free legal services to eligible low-income Kentuckians. Key contacts include:
Other Eviction Prevention Tools
If Legal Aid cannot assist, the Kentucky Equal Justice Center (KEJC) may be another resource. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) also offers online guides and FAQs for people at risk of eviction. In some areas like Louisville, eviction mediation programs may offer a way to resolve disputes with landlords outside of court.
B. Finding Affordable Housing
Securing stable, affordable housing is a long-term goal. Resources to aid in this search include:
C. General Assistance and Referrals
Connecting to Broader Support
Often, housing issues are linked to other challenges. Several resources offer broader support and referrals:
D. Homelessness Resources
Accessing the Continuum of Care (CoC)
Individuals currently experiencing homelessness (living on the street, in a car, or in emergency shelter) should connect with their regional Continuum of Care (CoC) system. This is typically done by contacting the designated CoC Lead Agency for their area. These agencies conduct assessments and coordinate access to emergency shelters, transitional housing, and programs like the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) or Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). KHC provides a list of Lead Agency contacts on its website.
Specific Intake Lines
Specific intake lines for major cities include:
Comprehensive Approach
Achieving and maintaining stable housing often requires leveraging a combination of resources. Beyond immediate financial help for rent, utilizing legal aid, housing search tools, general support networks like 2-1-1, and specialized homelessness services provides a more comprehensive approach to overcoming housing challenges.
Key Takeaways
Navigating the landscape of Kentucky rent relief and Kentucky housing assistance in 2025 requires understanding the current resources available now that major COVID-19 emergency programs have concluded. While the system has shifted, help still exists for Kentuckians facing housing instability.
The primary avenues for statewide assistance currently include the Kentucky ERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP), accessed through partner nonprofits, and utility bill help via the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), administered by local Community Action Agencies. These local agencies, serving every county, are often the best initial point of contact for exploring available support (find yours at www.capky.org/network).
In Louisville, dedicated local programs through Neighborhood Place and resources coordinated via StopMyEviction.org offer additional options. For those facing eviction, seeking immediate help from regional Legal Aid services is crucial.
Next Steps
Finding and applying for assistance takes persistence. Be prepared to gather necessary documents, check eligibility carefully, and follow up diligently with agencies. Remember to explore related supports like affordable housing locators, HUD housing counseling, and general referral services like 2-1-1.
While challenges remain, resources are available across the Commonwealth. Taking the first step to contact a local Community Action Agency, Legal Aid, or a specialized local program is key to accessing the Kentucky housing assistance needed to achieve stability.
No, the large statewide emergency programs like the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (HHERF) and the Team KY Eviction Diversion Program (KY-EDP) stopped accepting new applications by early 2025. Current assistance comes from ongoing programs and local partners.
Contact your local Community Action Agency first; they serve all 120 counties and manage programs like LIHEAP for utility bills. They can also guide you to other local resources, potentially including partners for the KyERA2-PP rent assistance program.
Yes, the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) helps with energy costs, with a Spring Subsidy phase for electric bills running April 15 - May 30, 2025. Reach out to your local Community Action Agency to apply or ask about other utility aid.
The KyERA2-PP uses federal funds distributed by Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) via local nonprofit partners for rent, utility, and rehousing aid. To find help, contact your local Community Action Agency or email KHC ([email address removed]) to identify participating nonprofits near you.
Kentucky Housing Corporation's (KHC) statewide Section 8 waiting list closed in July 2024 and remains closed. However, some city/county Public Housing Authorities (like Louisville or Lexington) manage separate lists that might be open; check directly with your local PHA.
Visit StopMyEviction.org for current resources and call Neighborhood Place at 502-308-3344 about their Housing Stabilization or HOPE Assistance programs. If you have an eviction court date, call the Legal Aid Society immediately at 502-584-1254.
Lexington's large, federally funded COVID-19 rent assistance program, run through the Community Action Council, ended in November 2023 when funds ran out. Residents now primarily rely on statewide resources, LIHEAP via the Community Action Council, and legal aid if facing eviction.
Contact your regional Legal Aid office immediately for free legal advice and potential representation regarding your eviction case. Find your local office through the Kentucky Justice Online website.
It depends on the program; the KyERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP) does require demonstrating an economic hardship related to the pandemic. Other programs like LIHEAP focus mainly on current income eligibility.
Yes, individuals experiencing homelessness should contact their regional Continuum of Care (CoC) Lead Agency for assessment and connection to services like emergency shelter, rapid re-housing, and potentially KyERA2-PP rehousing aid. Louisville also has a Landlord Incentive Pilot Program specifically for this population.
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