In Kentucky, rental assistance is available through state-administered programs, local community action agencies, and specific relief funds, depending on your household income and county of residence.
Rental assistance programs (state and local)
Team Kentucky Eviction Diversion Program (KY-EDP)
The Team Kentucky Eviction Diversion Program (KY-EDP) is a state-administered intervention initiative managed by the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC), designed to prevent homelessness through direct intervention in active eviction court cases. Unlike general financial aid programs, this program specifically targets tenants who are already facing formal legal eviction proceedings.
Requirements and eligibility criteria
To qualify for KY-EDP assistance, you must meet the following mandatory criteria:
Active court case: You must have an active, ongoing eviction lawsuit filed against you in court, where the lease violation is non-payment of rent.
Geographic eligibility: You must reside in any Kentucky county, with the exception of Jefferson County (Louisville) and Fayette County (Lexington). Both excluded metropolitan areas manage their own independent local eviction diversion funds.
Income limit: Generally, your household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Program coverage
For eligible households, the program can offer direct financial assistance:
Past-due rent: Covers up to 3 months of overdue rent, paid directly to the landlord, for the purpose of dismissing the eviction case.
Future rent: Can cover up to 1 month of future rent to help stabilize your housing situation. Emergency relocation vouchers: If it is not possible to stop the court-ordered eviction or if you must vacate the property, the program offers assistance vouchers to help you quickly secure alternative housing.
How to Apply
Applications must be submitted online via the official Team Kentucky KY-EDP portal. Landlords are encouraged to cooperate in order to receive payments for past-due rent, but their participation is not required for the tenant to apply for or receive assistance.
To check application status, ask questions, or obtain guidance, you may contact KHC program administrators directly by calling 1-866-780-1840 or emailing evictions@kyhousing.org.
Kentucky ERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP)
The Kentucky ERA2 Partnership Program (KyERA2-PP) is a housing stability initiative administered by the Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC). Funded through the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, the program does not accept applications directly from individual tenants. Instead, KHC distributes these funds directly to a network of approved local non-profit organizations and homeless service providers across the state.
These local partner agencies use the KyERA2-PP portal to document household eligibility and manage funds at the local level.
Key Requirements and Criteria
To receive assistance through a local partner agency using KyERA2-PP funds, the household must meet the following federal criteria:
Housing documentation: Must have a current lease agreement or official housing documentation in the primary applicant’s name (this may include verified stays in emergency shelters, hotels, or participating motels).
Economic impact: Must demonstrate some form of financial hardship.
Priority demographic groups: Since these specific funds are channeled through local community groups, priority is given to Kentucky residents experiencing homelessness, the elderly, or very low-income families.
What the program covers
KyERA2-PP funds are highly flexible, allowing local organizations to tailor assistance to the client’s needs. They generally cover:
Short-term rental and deposit assistance: Direct payments for ongoing rent, security deposits, or initial lease fees.
Emergency shelter and lodging: Funding for temporary stays in hotels or motels for individuals experiencing a housing crisis.
Utility assistance: Financial aid for overdue utility bills and utility connection deposits.
Housing stability services: Support services, such as case management, to help tenants maintain long-term housing stability.
How to Access KyERA2-PP Assistance
Since it is not possible to apply through a centralized state website, you must contact a partner agency active in your region. Prominent participating organizations include regional groups such as Welcome House of Northern Kentucky and various community action agencies across the state.
Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) Special Programs and Vouchers
The Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) offers targeted rental assistance through voucher initiatives designed for populations with specific needs. While the KHC’s main waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) program is closed, these specialized programs remain active thanks to a dedicated network of community partner agencies.
Specialized Voucher Programs via Referral
These programs do not accept applications directly from the general public. To qualify, you must be assessed and referred through the local Coordinated Entry (CE) intake process or by a partner entity participating in the regional Continuum of Care (CoC) network:
Mainstream Voucher Program: Provides rental assistance specifically to non-elderly individuals with disabilities. Eligible applicants include individuals transitioning out of institutions, those at serious risk of institutionalization, and individuals with disabilities who are currently homeless or at risk of homelessness.
Family Unification Program (FUP): Distributes vouchers to two specific groups: families whose housing instability puts them at risk of losing custody of their children, and young adults aged 18 to 24 who are aging out of the foster care system. Vouchers for youth provide essential housing assistance for up to 36 months.
Stability Vouchers: A targeted housing subsidy resource for individuals and families who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, or fleeing domestic violence and dangerous living conditions.
Programs for Veterans (VASH and VETT): The Veterans Emerging Towards Transition (VETT) program specifically provides Housing Choice Vouchers to support up to 100 homeless Kentucky veterans across 87 eligible counties, regardless of their status regarding Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits.
Direct and Project-Based Specialized Programs
Unlike programs based solely on referrals, these initiatives are linked to specific conditions or particular physical properties:
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA): KHC administers the federal HOPWA program throughout Kentucky, offering short-term rental, mortgage, and utility assistance to low-income individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. It also funds local support services and permanent housing placement costs. Eligible households must have an income at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Recovery Kentucky: In collaboration with local organizations, KHC integrates project-based rental assistance into dedicated recovery centers across the state, offering housing alongside addiction recovery programs.
Scholar House: Designed specifically for low-income single parents enrolled in higher education. It offers on-site subsidized housing, along with affordable childcare services, to help parents complete their studies.
Geographic availability
KHC manages these voucher programs in most rural and suburban regions of Kentucky. However, KHC does not administer vouchers for Fayette County (Lexington) or Jefferson County (Louisville). If you reside in either of these metropolitan areas, you must handle these specialized programs directly through the Lexington Housing Authority or the Louisville Metro Housing Authority.
County-level emergency services and eviction prevention
Louisville / Jefferson County: Residents can access local support and apply for assistance through “Stop My Eviction” or the Louisville Office of Social Services.
Lexington / Fayette County: Emergency financial assistance for rent and utilities is managed through the City of Lexington Emergency Assistance program or by calling 859-300-5300.
Community Action Agencies (e.g., KCEOC)
Regional organizations such as KCEOC Community Action offer Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) grants and utility deposit assistance, awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
