Lexington secures another $15.8M for eviction relief. Who qualifies, how to apply
Lexington’s eviction relief program will receive $15.8 million from a state fund started to support tenants who lost jobs or income during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. Andy Beshear announced Monday the money will come from Kentucky’s Healthy At Home Eviction Relief Fund and support Lexington renters, landlords and homeowners.
“Once again, we are showing that Team Kentucky spirit by helping those most in need,” Beshear said in a news release.
“Especially as we enter the holiday season, it’s important to remember that for many Kentuckians maintaining stable housing is a struggle. We know the pandemic made that even harder for so many of our neighbors, especially in our high-population areas like Lexington. This move will help dozens and dozens of families stay in their homes,” he continued.
Those who qualify for the relief can get up to 15 months of rent assistance. That includes up to 12 months of any back rent they might owe and up to three months of rent they will owe going forward.
How to access rent relief in Lexington
Lexington area residents can apply for assistance through Fayette County’s eviction relief program online at covid19renterhelp.org.
To qualify for Lexington’s program, one or more individuals in the household receiving assistance must meet the following criteria:
80% or below area median income
Reside in Fayette County
Certification that a household member has qualified for unemployment benefits or has experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs or experienced other financial hardship due directly or indirectly to the COVID-19 outbreak
Certification that a household is at risk of homelessness by a pending eviction or a past due notice or unsafe or unhealthy living conditions.
To date, Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said Monday the city has received $46 million from the state of Kentucky to help locals stay in their homes.
“One in every 12 renters in Lexington has been helped by this program. We will focus this additional funding on residents with the greatest risk of housing instability,” Gorton said in the news release, also thanking Beshear for his support.
Kentucky initially received $264 million in federal funds for its eviction relief program spanning 118 counties, the release said.
Local governments in Kentucky’s two largest cities, Louisville and Lexington, each received funding to run eviction relief programs. When federal funds started to dry up, the mayors of cities asked Beshear for help to continue their programs.
Another announcement regarding Louisville’s program is planned for Thursday.
The state claims its program has supported more than 50,800 households and issued more than 69,000 individual payments. In total, that’s more than $196.9 million in rental assistance payments and $23 million to help with utilities and internet costs, the governor’s office said in its release Monday.
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