Kentucky

In Kentucky, various programs and resources are available to support pregnant women, mothers, and families in need of housing assistance. Here are some key options:

State and Local Housing Programs

1. Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC)

KHC is the state’s housing finance agency offering a variety of affordable housing resources, including rental assistance programs, homebuyer education, and development of affordable housing units. KHC helps low-income families, including pregnant women and mothers, secure safe and affordable housing. It offers several programs to assist low-income individuals and families:

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8): Provides rental assistance vouchers for eligible low-income families, allowing them to choose housing in the private market.
• Scholar House Program: An innovative housing model that offers affordable housing, child care, and supportive services to single parents pursuing higher education. Participants must be at least 18 years old, eligible for a Housing Choice Voucher, and enrolled full-time in a degree or specialty institution.

1. Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Program (Kentucky)

Kentucky participates in the federal Section 811 PRA program, which provides project-based rental assistance for extremely low-income individuals with disabilities, linked with long-term supportive services. This program is administered through partnerships with local housing authorities and service providers. Learn more

Emergency Shelters and Transitional Housing

1. St. Gianna Crisis Pregnancy Home: Located in Bowling Green, this transitional housing facility exclusively serves pregnant women experiencing homelessness or lacking support. The home provides a safe environment and resources to help expectant mothers achieve stability.

1. Homeless and Housing Coalition of Kentucky (HHCK): HHCK administers permanent supportive housing vouchers for chronically homeless individuals and families across 118 counties in Kentucky (excluding Fayette and Jefferson counties). Eligibility and priority are determined through the Coordinated Entry process.

1. Welcome House, Inc.: Serving Northern Kentucky, Welcome House offers a holistic approach to ending homelessness, including emergency shelter, housing facilities, and supportive services for individuals and families striving to meet their basic needs.

1. The Nest (Louisville, KY): A maternity shelter providing safe housing, prenatal support, parenting education, and life skills training for pregnant women and new mothers facing homelessness or housing insecurity.

1. A Mother's Love Maternity Home (Lexington, KY): Offers free, supportive housing for pregnant women and mothers experiencing crisis pregnancies, helping them prepare for motherhood with counseling and parenting support.

Other Resources

2-1-1 Kentucky: A free, confidential helpline available 24/7 that connects individuals to local housing assistance programs, emergency shelters, and community resources for pregnant women, mothers, and families across Kentucky. Dial 2-1-1 or visit 211kentucky.org

Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services – Family Support Services: Provides information and referrals for housing assistance, childcare, healthcare, and other support services for pregnant women and families.

Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP): KTAP provides financial and medical assistance to needy dependent children and their parents or relatives. While not exclusively a housing program, the financial support can aid families in maintaining stable housing.

Louisville Metro Housing Authority: Administers the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) in Louisville, offering rental assistance to eligible low-income families to secure safe and sanitary housing.

UP for Women and Children: A drop-in day center in Louisville providing unhoused women, children, and marginalized genders with services such as a safe space, showers, restrooms, mailing addresses, and assistance obtaining vital documents.

Kentucky Moms Maternal Assistance Toward Recovery (KY-Moms MATR): This program offers specialized services for pregnant and parenting women struggling with substance use, including resources for housing assistance as part of a comprehensive support system.

These resources and programs collectively aim to support pregnant women, mothers, and families in Kentucky by providing safe housing options, supportive services, and pathways to stable living environments during critical periods.