LOUISVILLE METRO HOUSING & FAMILY SERVICES
(502) 574-8669

Provides rental and utility payment assistance for Persons Living with HIV/AIDS who meet eligibility guidelines.

On The Home Front With Louisville Metro Housing & Family Services

Louisville Metro Housing & Family Services (LMHFS) plays a vital role in addressing our community's needs meet in order to continue its stability and viability. The mission of LMHFS is to enhance our neighborhoods and improve our quality of life for everyone in Louisville.

The four streams of funding which allow LMHCD to plan projects and activities directed toward such services are:

1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)
2. Federal Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME)
3. Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)
4. Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA)

Louisville Metro is focused on identifying and meeting the needs of its homeless population. This has become an important and common focus for many communities across the nation. The Housing Policy Advisory Team delivered THE Comprehensive Housing Strategy report to Mayor Jerry Abramson in August 2005, with recommendations of strategic objectives and policies were identified that would advance the mission of providing housing of all types, at all price points, throughout every neighborhood in metro Louisville. These recommendations took into account the funding streams that LMHFS can use for various programs. The five goals identified in the report were:

1. Plan for the future
2. Ensure neighborhoods of choice
3. Create and promote innovative housing finance
4. Address regulatory barriers and
5. Create a shared vision of housing choice.

One of the programs that LMHFCS provides is housing assistance to approximately 25-30 households annually in which at least one household member is infected with HIV/AIDS related disease. This program is funded with HOPWA funds and referrals for the program are provided by House of Ruth. The House of Ruth staff also provides intensive case management for households served through this program.

In addition to the HOPWA Program there are between 35-40 households that receive housing assistance annually in which at least one household member is infected with an HIV/AIDS related disease. These households are assisted by one of three Shelter Plus Care grants, through LMHFS, that address the housing needs of this specific sub-population within our community.

These programs are accessed through referrals from agencies that partner with LMHFS to provide housing participants with case management and other needed support services. Some of the partnering agencies are Seven Counties Services, Volunteers of America, The Healing Place, The House of Ruth, and others.

For additional information on the housing assistance programs please call Michele Bright at 574-8669.