By TOM LATEK, Kentucky Today
FRANKFORT, Ky. – With more cold weather in the forecast, a new fund becomes available next week to provide utility and rent assistance to tenants and landlords affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
In partnership with the Kentucky Housing Corporation, or KHC, Gov. Andy Beshear relaunched the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund, with an additional $264 million to keep Kentuckians safe and housed throughout the pandemic.
“With more Kentuckians rolling up their sleeves and receiving these safe and effective vaccines, we see the light at the end of the tunnel growing brighter by the day,” said Gov. Beshear. "But it will take months before everyone can receive their shot of hope, and until then, we need to ensure our people can stay healthy at home as much as possible.”
Starting Feb. 15, tenants who qualify can apply for rent and utility assistance to cover their past-due and future bills. If approved, lump sum, direct payments will be made to landlords and utility providers.
“Nearly a year into the pandemic, Kentuckians are still grappling with the economic effects of COVID-19,” said Winston Miller, KHC executive director. “This assistance will help keep renters housed, allow landlords to get substantial payments for back rent and reduce the number of evictions in Kentucky courts.”
The U.S. Treasury Department recently allocated $297 million in federal Coronavirus Relief Funds to the state of Kentucky, Lexington-Fayette County Urban County Government and Louisville-Jefferson County Metro Government to help renters impacted economically by COVID-19. The money will be distributed as three separate programs:
--To apply in Jefferson County, go to stopmyeviction.org.
--To apply in Fayette County, go to covid19renterhelp.org.
--In Kentucky’s 118 other counties, go to teamkyhherf.ky.gov.
The Team Kentucky Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund (representing 118 counties) will receive $264 million of the $297 million allocated for the state.
The funds will offer the same benefits to approved applicants: 100% of past-due rent, dating back to April 2020, and up to three months of future payments.
Those applying through the Team Kentucky portal also can receive help with past-due and future utility bills.
“Throughout the pandemic, many households have struggled with expenses,” said Wendy Smith, KHC’s deputy director of housing programs. “This essential eviction relief can help renters get caught up on rent and utilities.”
The Beshear administration offered a similar plan between September and December of 2020, which helped 4,135 households avoid eviction with nearly $15 million in assistance. The new fund’s structure and requirements are similar to that program.
Click on one of the above links to find out more.
