District 11 eNews

Banner
Councilman Kramer Headshot

Metro Councilman Kevin Kramer

601 W. Jefferson Street
Louisville, KY 40202
502.574.1111
Kevin.Kramer@louisvilleky.gov
 

Become a Fan

  
Scott Harrington

 

Legislative Assistant
Phone: 502-574-3456 Scott.Harrington@louisvilleky.gov

In this issue:


COVID19 Helpline

The COVID-19 Helpline - 502-912-8598 is staffed 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by our contact tracing team. There are bilingual staff available (at least 18 languages spoken) as well as translation services available.

This is the best number and quickest way for residents to get answers and assistance if they:

  • Have tested positive and have not heard from Metro's Public Health & Wellness yet
  • Are waiting for a test result and not sure what to do
  • Were in close contact with someone who tested positive and aren’t sure what to do
  • Have questions about safely isolating or quarantining
  • Have questions about contact tracing
Covid Helpline

Louisville Metro streamlines process for eviction prevention assistance programs

To date, programs have assisted 6,199 residents

LOUISVILLE, KY (October 21, 2020) – Mayor Greg Fischer today announced that Louisville Metro Government has removed the income requirement for all of its eviction prevention assistance programs in an effort to streamline the application process for all applicants. The income requirement has been replaced with a maximum cap on monthly rental assistance.

Eligible residents can now receive a maximum of $1,750 per month in rental assistance for up to six months. The amount of assistance will continue to be determined based on applicants’ individual rental rates and amount of back rent owed, and all other requirements will remain in place, including proof of COVID-19 impact and notice of overdue payment or pending eviction case.

“We’re making this change to streamline the intake process to get help to our residents facing eviction more quickly. So many tenants have accumulated rent debt due to previous COVID-19-related unemployment, and while some may have regained employment, they’re still in a catch-22 where they might never be able to get caught up on their rent payments and stabilize their household without assistance,” said Mayor Fischer.

“Thank you to our teams at Louisville Metro’s Office of Housing and Office of Resilience and Community Services, as well as our many partners, who are working every day to connect residents to resources,” he added.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has affected people from all neighborhoods and walks of life. While we work to control the spread of COVID-19, we must also tackle the economic fallout the pandemic has created in our community,” said Metro Council President David James. “Providing assistance to Louisvillians facing eviction is a critical part of stabilizing our economy and preventing a wave of homelessness.”

This summer, Louisville Metro Government allocated $21.2 million in federal CARES (Coronavirus Aid, Relief, & Economic Security) Act money toward eviction prevention assistance. The city has established a program to assist individuals, the Eviction Prevention for Households Program, through the Office of Resilience and Community Services, as well as a program that allows landlords of subsidized units to apply for assistance on behalf of their tenants, the Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Program, through the Office of Housing.

In addition, the Office of Housing has partnered with the court system and Legal Aid Society on the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program, which acts as a backstop for eviction as cases enter the court system. As of Oct. 16, the three programs have allocated $5.4 million, assisting 3,246 households and 6,199 total residents in Jefferson County.

Recently, Louisville Metro also reallocated $3 million from the Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Program for external agency agreements with the Coalition for the Homeless and the Association of Community Ministries to administer eviction prevention programs.

“Secure and safe housing is the most basic need and right of every Louisvillian, and the expansion of the eviction prevention program is not only important, but essential,” said Councilwoman Keisha Dorsey, D-3. “There is unprecedented need at this time that spans beyond race, socioeconomic status and geography. This program is the very best for anyone facing their worst, and it shows we are a compassionate Louisville.” 

On Aug. 25, Gov. Andy Beshear rescinded an executive order suspending residential evictions for failure to pay rent and replaced it with a new order requiring landlords to provide at least 30 days’ notice to tenants that they plan to evict for failure to pay rent. Under the order, landlords cannot apply penalties, late fees or interest related to non-payment of rent from March 6 to Dec. 31, 2020.

In addition to the other eviction prevention programs, the Office of Resilience and Community Services has distributed more than $2.8 million raised through the One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund to landlords and/or utility companies on behalf of 3,324 households.

Louisville Metro also has allocated $5.5 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) toward eviction prevention and housing stabilization for low-income and homeless persons.

For information about all the resources and services available to those facing eviction, visit StopMyEviction.org

For details about the Eviction Prevention for Households Program, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/resilience-and-community-services

For details about the Landlord Tenant Rental Assistance Program, visit https://louisvilleky.gov/government/develop-louisville/eviction-prevention


Update on proposed Tucker Creek Apartments, 9311 Old Six Mile Lane

Proposed Old Six Mile Lane Apartments

RE:  Change in Zoning from R-4 (single family) to R-6 (multi-family) with Detailed District Development Plans for property located at 9311 Old Six Mile Lane (Case # 20-ZONE-0010) and Street Closure for Tucker Road (Case # 20-STRCLOSURE-0002)

At yesterday’s Land Development & Transportation (LD&T), Commissioners scheduled the Public Hearing for Thursday, December 3rd, 2020 at 1:00 PM.  The Public Hearing will be held online via Cisco Webex Video Teleconferencing. You may join the online Public Hearing using a computer, laptop, or mobile device by following the link below:

https://louisvilleky.gov/government/upcoming-public-meetings

The property being considered for rezoning is in the City of Jeffersontown so Metro’s Planning Commissioners will send their recommendation (after the public hearing) to Jeffersontown for final action.

Below is information that was discussed at today’s LD&T meeting:

Technical Review (provided by staff)

  • Preliminary approval has been received from Louisville MSD and Transportation Planning
  • 100% consent has not been received on the road closure; therefore, a public hearing with 30 days advanced notice will be required. Agency review has been coordinated and easements will be provided as needed.  No objections to the closure were issued to staff.  No future need was indicated by Jeffersontown.
  • Historic Preservation staff has reviewed the proposal and provided, “Neither of these houses would be individually eligible for listing on the National Register of Historic Places due to loss of historic integrity.”

Traffic Impact Study (conducted by applicant’s traffic engineer)

60 apartments in 3 story buildings will generate:

  • 21 AM peak hour trips with 5 entering and 16 exiting
  • 27 PM peak hour trips with 16 entering and 11 exiting

Traffic would be evenly split between Taylorsville Road and Old Six Mile Lane

One of the applicant’s slide in his PowerPoint presentation shows a “Side by Side Comparison” of what was originally planned to their new plan.  (see image below)

One adjacent property owner spoke in opposition and the applicant showed Commissioners how the plans were modified to help alleviate some so those concerns.  Commissioner Jeff Brown wanted to know if the applicant considered having the road that goes through the proposed apartment complex a public road with easements instead of it being a private road.  The applicant will be working with City of Jeffersontown since Jeffersontown will also take final action on the street closure.

Once published, you can view the video of today’s LD&T meeting and the minutes of the meeting by visiting: https://louisville.legistar.com/DepartmentDetail.aspx?ID=23455&GUID=02555248-15FD-4CCF-88A1-EAA624D4E610&R=564b5c69-d5a6-464a-9388-5e5185c2278a

For questions or comments regarding this proposed development, please contact the case manager, Joel Dock, at joel.dock@louisvilleky.gov or by phone, 574-5860. 

New Plan

Kentucky Science Center New Exhibit

On October 15th, the Kentucky Science Center opened their new permanent UPS exhibit, One World by Air Cargo. This exhibit highlights the tech of the Boeing 747-8F and the numerous STEM careers at UPS Worldport that are involved in moving things all over the world.

Kentucky Science Center New Exhibit UPS World One

Alert from LMPD Officer Ross regarding increase of thefts from autos

Officer Amber Ross, LMPD 6th Division, Division Resource Officer, has brought to my attention an increase in "Theft by Unlawful Taking from Autos." (Map below shows locations of recent thefts). The one location in District 11 happened in the parking lot of T.J. Maxx, 4080 Taylorsville Rd., in Hikes Point Plaza. Officer Ross encourages everyone to remove valuables from their vehicles or place them in the trunk and lock your car doors.  Also, as weather gets colder, please do not warm your vehicle unattended.  

increase of thefts from autos

Jack O'Lantern Spectacular is back for 2020!

Jack O'Lantern Spectacular 2020

Get out and enjoy this SAFE drive-thru-only Halloween experience at Iroquois Park October 1, 2020 thru November 1, 2020

For more information visit www.jackolanternlouisville.com.


Kentucky Public Health recommendations for Halloween

Halloween safety recommendations