23 Free Kentucky Rent Assistance Programs

If rent has got you down this month, there are many rent assistance resources in the state of Kentucky that can help! If you live in Kentucky and are looking for rent assistance, keep reading. We have researched many sources and organized them here for you by county or city for your convenience.

Statewide Kentucky Rent Assistance

There are many Kentucky rent assistance programs. Besides the nationwide Emergency Rental Assistance Program (more information below), Kentucky has Salvation Army and Community Action locations throughout the state.

Emergency Rental Assistance Program

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) is a nationwide program that was created in response to the financial impact of COVID-19. Each state was given funds to distribute, and each state distributes differently. Kentucky’s ERAP funds are distributed through Team Kentucky’s Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund.  Please note, all counties except Fayette County are served by Team Kentucky relief fund. Fayette County residents can apply for Kentucky rent assistance through their community action agency (more information below)

What does ERAP cover?

Funds distributed through the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund can cover up to 12 months of past rent (since April 2020) and 3 months future rent. Additionally, funds can be used to pay past and future utilities (Please note, Jefferson County residents are not eligible for utility assistance through the Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund).

Who is eligible for ERAP?

To be eligible you must:

• Be a resident of Kentucky (excluding Fayette County)
• Have experienced a loss of income or increase in expenses due to the COVID-19 pandemic
• Have a past due notice from a landlord or an eviction notice
• Be at or below 80% Area Median Income
• Be requesting assistance for your primary residence
• Have a state ID
• Be able to provide a piece of mail if current address does not match state ID

How do I apply?

If you live in any Kentucky county other than Fayette, you can apply on Team Kentucky’s website. If you live in Fayette County Kentucky, you can apply here.

Community Action Partnership

Community Action Partnership is a network of social service agencies throughout the state of Kentucky. Each agency is different and offers different services, however most offer emergency rent assistance. Please see the website for the agency that serves your area for more information. The list below is organized by the city the agency is located in, but each agency usually serves the whole county they are located in and the surrounding counties. For a full list, please see this link.

• Bowling Green
• Covington
• Flemingsburg
• Frankfort
• Gray
• Harlan
• Hazard
• Hopkinsville
• Jackson
• Jamestown
• LaGrange
• Lebanon
• Lexington
• Louisville
• Manchester
• Mayfield
• Olive Hill
• Owensboro
• Paintsville
• Pineville
• Richmond
• Shelbyville
• West Liberty

The Salvation Army

The Salvation Army is a nationwide social service agency with locations throughout Kentucky. The Salvation Army offers many different services, and most offer emergency rent assistance. Please check with the location nearest you to verify. Please note, each location serves a larger area than the city they are located in.

• Danville
• Frankfort
• Lexington
• Louisville
• Richmond

Society of Saint Vincent de Paul (SVdP)

SVdP is a Catholic charity focused on meeting the basic needs of individuals. SVdP offers many services, and most offer emergency rental or utility assistance. There are four SVdP locations in Kentucky, but many local churches also offer assistance through SVdP. The churches that offer assistance through SVdP will be listed below in our local resources section.

• Frankfort
• Louisville
• Northern Kentucky
• Western Kentucky

Local Kentucky Rent Assistance Programs

Besides the statewide programs, Kentucky has many local resources as well. Most resources are provided by churches, smaller agencies, or city governments. The list below is organized by county for your convenience.

Barren County

Next Step

Next Step can provide financial assistance with your utility bills from Glasgow Water, Glasgow EPB, Farmers Rural Electric, Atmos Energy or Caveland Environmental. They may also be able to assist with rent in Barren County.

Boone County

Saint Paul’s Parish

St. Paul’s Parish is a part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP), a catholic charity that focuses on providing for basic needs. Their website does not list what assistance they offer, however most SVdP’s offer emergency financial assistance that can be used for rent. For more information, please call their office at 859-341-3219.

Boyd County

CAReS

CAReS may provide emergency financial assistance with rent, utilities, baby food, formula, household goods, diapers and other resources. This organization is based in Ashland and serves residents of Boyd County.

Fayette County

Cathedral of Christ the King (Lexington)

Cathedral of Christ the King is a part of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul (SVdP). SVdP is a Catholic charity focused on providing for basic needs. Cathedral of Christ the King’s website does not go into details about what they provide or how to make an appointment, however most SVdP’s offer emergency financial assistance. For more information, please call their church at 859-268-2861.

Hardin County

Helping Hand of Hope

Helping Hand of Hope is a ministry serving Hardin County. They may offer rent assistance to individuals or families who are 15 days late on their rent with a landlord notice or eviction notice. Anyone seeking assistance must provide pay stubs, photo ID for all adults, Social Security cards for everyone in the household, and proof of residency in Hardin County. For rent assistance, please make an appointment by calling 270-769-3092.

Jefferson County

Neighborhood Place

Neighborhood Place is a unique service agency made up of many Louisville Metro agencies. There are eight Neighborhood Places around Louisville that all offer similar services. Each neighborhood place may offer rent and utility assistance.  Information on how to apply is not listed online, so please call the Neighborhood Place nearest you for more details. Please visit their website for a full list of addresses and phone numbers.

Jeffersontown Area Ministries

Jeffersontown Area Ministries (JAM) serves residents living in the 40299, 40023, and part of 40220 zip codes. They primarily do food distribution but also offer rent assistance if funds are available. Please call 502-267-1055 for more information.

Southwest Community Ministries

Southwest Community Ministries is in Louisville but serves residents who live in the 40258, 40272, and 40177 zip codes. Financial assistance is offered but all requests need to be made by appointment. To schedule an appointment, please call 502-935-0310.

House of Ruth

House of Ruth serves people with HIV/AIDS and their families. They offer many services including rent assistance. For more information and to apply, please call 502-587-5080 or complete an online form.

Eastern Area Community Ministries

Eastern Area Community Ministries (EACM) serves residents of the 40018, 40027, 40059, 40222, 40223, 40241, 40242, 40242, and 40245 zip code areas. EACM offers food and emergency financial assistance that can be used for rent. To apply, please call 502-426-2824 ext.310.

Bethlehem Baptist Church

Bethlehem Baptist Church may offer financial assistance to residents of Louisville. For more information and assistance, please call 502-964-4384 between 9am-10am on Monday and Tuesdays.

Catholic Charities of Louisville

Catholic Charities’ Sister Visitor Center provides emergency assistance in a very specific area of Louisville. If you live west of 9^th Street and north of Broadway, you may be eligible for financial assistance from Catholic Charities.  Catholic Charities offer emergency rent assistance for up to one month’s rent. To apply, please complete this form.

Central Louisville Community Ministries

Central Louisville Community Ministries provide many services to residents of Central Louisville, including rent assistance. Their website is not clear on their service area, so please call for clarification. To apply for assistance, please call their office at 502-587-1999 and leave a message. Their office hours are 9:30-11:30 Monday-Thursday.

Ministries United of South Central Louisville

Ministries United of South Central Louisville (MUSCL) is a nonprofit made up of multiple churches and ministries. MUSCL serves the residents of the 40213, 40217, 40219, and 40229 zip code areas. They can offer one month’s rent assistance to residents of South Central Louisville. To make an appointment, please call 502-363-9087.

St. Matthews Area Ministries

St. Matthews Area Ministries (MAM) offers assistance to residents of the 40207 zip code and part of the 4220 zip code area. To appy for emergency rent assistance, please make an appointment by calling 502-893-5704 between 9am-2pm Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday.  You can also complete this online form.

United Crescent Hill Ministries

United Crescent Hill Ministries (UCHM) serves residents of the 40206 zip code by offering emergency rent and utility assistance. Anyone seeking assistance must have an ID, proof of income, and lease. To apply, please complete this online form.

West Louisville Community Ministries

West Louisville Community Ministries (WLCM) offers emergency financial assistance as well as other programs to residents of Louisville. Their website did not clearly define their service area or how to apply. For more information, please call 502-409-7371 or email [email protected].

Shively Area Ministries

Shively Area Ministries (SAM) serves residents of the 40216 zip code by offering emergency rent assistance as well as other programs. To apply for assistance, you will need to provide a photo ID, Social Security cards for every household member, proof of address, and a late or eviction notice. To make an appointment, please call 502-447-4330 ext. 24 between 9am-12:30pm Monday-Thursday.

Fern Creek Highview United Ministries

Fern Creek Highview United Ministries (FCHUM) offers services including emergency rent assistance to residents of the 40228 and 40291 zip codes. To apply, you must call their Family Assistance Center at 502-762-9611 to make an appointment. Please note, you will need to bring a picture ID, proof of income, proof of residence, and social security cards to your appointment.  

Highlands Community Ministries (Louisville)

Highlands Community Ministries (HCM) serves residents of the 40204, 40205, and part of the 40218 zip codes. HCM provides limited financial assistance that can be used for rent. For more information and to apply, please call 502-451-3695 ext. 213.

Warren County

Hope House (Bowling Green)

Hope House is an organization that offers many services including emergency rent assistance through their Advocacy Program. Anyone seeking assistance will be paired with a case manager and financial assistance will be provided if it is available. To apply for Kentucky rent assistance from Hope House, please call 270-904-1200 or complete an online application.

Additional Resources

Although there are many options for Kentucky rent assistance programs to assist its residents, do not forget about nationwide resources! For more information on nationwide rent assistance programs, check out our list!

Marie McCollum

Marie McCollum has a Masters of Social Work from the University of Georgia. She is currently the Director of Programs for a non-profit in Decatur, Georgia.