Here you can find information and assistance if you need help with housing. There are public housing resources, utility payment assistance, and help with the impacts of COVID-19. This information is intended mainly for housing authorities and government entities, with some exceptions.

Kentucky Homeowner Assistance Fund

Description: 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.

Eligibility: Qualifying homeowners

Dates: The program is available until all funds are expended or Sept. 30, 2025, whichever comes first.

Single Family Housing Programs

Description: Housing Programs give families and individuals the opportunity to buy, build, repair, or own safe and affordable homes located in rural America. Low interest, fixed-rate Homeownership loans are provided to qualified persons directly by USDA Rural Development. Financing is also offered at fixed-rates and terms through a loan from a private financial institution and guaranteed by USDA Rural Development for qualified persons. Neither one of these home loan programs require a down payment.

Eligibility: Eligibility for these loans, loan guarantees, and grants is based on income and varies according to the average median income for each area. Information regarding this program can be found on their website. If interested, applicant must contact local Rural Development Office. For Kentucky, that number is 859-224-7300.

Dates: Year-round.

Multi-Family Housing

Description: This program works to provide affordable multi-family rental housing in rural areas by financing projects geared for low-income, elderly and disabled individuals and families as well as domestic farm laborers. Programs include:

  • Farm Labor Direct Loans & Grants
  • Housing Preservation & Revitalization Demonstration Loans & Grants
  • Housing Preservation Grants
  • Multi-Family Housing Direct Loans
  • Multi-Family Housing Loan Guarantees
  • Multi-Family Housing Rental Assistance

Eligibility: Depends on program. Visit website to see specifics.

Dates: Year-round.

Healthy at Home Eviction and Utilities Relief Fund

Description: The purpose of the Healthy at Home Relief Fund:

  • Assist Kentucky tenants with RENT and/or UTILITIES to keep them housed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Allow landlords to get substantial payments for back rent.
  • Reduce the volume of eviction cases in Kentucky courts.

Assistance with back rent and utility bills cans be calculated going back to April 1, 2020.  Assistance will be paid as lump sum payments to landlords and utilities.

Eligibility for Tenants:

  • Any Kentucky county outside of Fayette County and Jefferson County.
  • Experienced income reduction/loss or other economic hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Depending on past due bills, tenant applicants may seek assistance with rent, utilities, or both.
  • IF SEEKING RENTAL ASSISTANCE: At risk of eviction as evidenced by a past due letter from landlord, a pending court eviction, eviction notice, or similar document.
  • IF SEEKING UTILITY ASSTANCE: Past due on utility payments as documented in the most recent utility bill. (Utilities paid by the landlord are not eligible for assistance).
  • Gross household income before taxes cannot exceed 80% Area Median Income (AMI).
  • Are requesting assistance for their primary residence (address where the applicant lives and sleeps).
  • If a tenant received some type of short-term assistance, this program cannot duplicate payment for a given month but can assist with rent for other months.
  • If a tenant receives monthly rent subsidy (such as Section 8), they are not eligible for HHERF rent assistance but CAN get help with utilities.
  • Those living with family and paying rent informally are not eligible.
  • Those who own a trailer home and owe rent for a lot are eligible.

Eligibility for Landlords:

  • Must forgive late fees, penalties, interest, and legal/court fees related to non-payment of rent.
  • Have a current written lease or sign a lease with their tenant.
  • Must agree not to evict for any past rent due prior to April 1, 2020.
  • Must agree to give 30 days’ notice for any future eviction, not to be initiated until at least 45 days after assistance concludes.
  • Must agree to terms of the HHERF settlement agreement and submit all necessary paperwork.

Dates: Application portal opened on February 15, 2021 and will close once all funds are expended.

Single Family Housing Guaranteed Loan Program

Description: The Section 502 Guaranteed Loan Program assists approved lenders in providing low- and moderate-income households the opportunity to own adequate, modest, decent, safe and sanitary dwellings as their primary residence in eligible rural areas. Eligible applicants may purchase, build, rehabilitate, improve or relocate a dwelling in an eligible rural area with 100% financing. The program provides a 90% loan note guarantee to approved lenders in order to reduce the risk of extending 100% loans to eligible rural homebuyers.

Eligibility: Must meet income eligibility (cannot exceed 115% of median household income). Must agree to personally occupy the dwelling as their primary residence. Must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

Closing Date: None