Housing and Utility Assistance Programs Update

In Tuesday’s Social Services and Public Safety (SSPS) Committee meeting, Commissioner of Housing Advocacy and Community Development Charlie Lanter will present an update on Lexington’s various housing assistance programs.

Using federal funding, Lexington operated a Housing Stabilization Program from 2021 to 2023 that assisted tenants facing evictions with backpay for rent and utilities and provided court mediation services between the tenant and the landlord to avoid eviction.

• During the program’s history, $54 million was spent on rent and utilities, serving 7,042 households in Lexington.

• Evictions were down 35% in Lexington compared to pre-pandemic levels while the program was running. Evictions will likely rise again due to the program’s end.

The Division of Community Resources and Services continues to operate the Emergency Financial Assistance Program, which provides residents facing eviction or utility disconnection up to $1,500 in assistance. However, residents may only use the program once every three years. In Fiscal Year 2024, the program has $600,000 to use, triple the amount of money it has had annually in past fiscal years.

You can view the full presentation starting on page 18 of this packet. You can also check out our coverage of the Housing Stabilization program from last January here.

The Social Services and Public Safety Committee will meet on Tuesday, January 23rd at 1:00 pm in Council Chambers. You can attend in-person or watch live on LexTV.

Republished from CivicLex.

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