Unfortunately, there hasn’t been much movement on policies that address issues related to homelessness, emergency housing, or affordable housing at the federal and state levels. At the federal level, there were 66 bills originating from the House related to homelessness or emergency shelters, but not one of them made it out of the House and to the Senate.
At the state level, there was a bill related to give a state tax credit to seniors and veterans who received federal housing vouchers to help making housing more affordable. However, that bill died in committee.
Happily, there has been some progress at the local level though. Check it out!
Unity Place Affordable Housing Proposal Passes Metro Council (12/13/18) The Louisville Metro Council cleared the way for a proposed affordable housing development in the Okolona neighborhood by passing a requested zoning change Thursday night.
In a 16 to 7 vote, council members approved the Planning Commission’s recommendation to change the zoning for a piece of land in the 8000 block of Shepherdsville Road to allow multi-family housing.
Metro Council advances funding for
temporary homeless services this winter (12/6/18)
Louisville Metro Council’s Budget Committee unanimously approved spending most
of the city’s recent budget surplus on emergency services for the homeless this
winter, including providing temporary storage for their belongings and
temporary shelter that is considered “low barrier,” welcoming of some
individuals who aren’t allowed in the city’s largest shelters.
FY 2019 Budget allocates $12 million in the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and Louisville CARES (6/26/18)$10 million to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and $2 million to Louisville Cares. (In the last three years, city has invested nearly $30 million in local funds.)
Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund allocates FY18 funds (3/6/18)
The Louisville Affordable Housing Trust Fund (LAHTF) announced the allocation of FY18 funds. LAHTF allocated about $8.76 million to 22 different projects which will assist in the creation or preservation of 1,115 units to projects in 8 Metro Council Districts.