Finding an affordable place to live is often one of the biggest challenges facing single mothers. Rent and housing costs continue rising across the U.S., and many single moms struggle to keep up with payments each month.
If you’re a single mom in Kentucky looking for help with housing costs, know that you have options. A number of government and nonprofit programs offer rental assistance, help with security deposits, transitional housing, and more.
This guide covers some of the main programs and resources that single moms in Kentucky can turn to for housing help. With persistence and planning, you can find an affordable living situation.
Government Housing Assistance in Kentucky
Several Federal and state government agencies offer housing assistance programs in Kentucky. These can help single moms pay their rent, find temporary housing, or buy a home.
Rental Assistance with Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers
One of the best-known rental assistance programs is Section 8, also called the Housing Choice Voucher program. It’s a federal program funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered at the local level.
Section 8 provides vouchers to help low-income families pay their rent. If you qualify, you can use your voucher at properties that accept Section 8. Generally, you’ll pay 30% of your monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to a payment standard set by HUD.
To get a Section 8 voucher in Kentucky:
- Contact your local Public Housing Agency to apply. You can find yours here.
- Get on the waiting list, which can take 1-3 years in some areas. You’ll get notified when your name comes up.
- Meet eligibility requirements related to income limits and family size.
- Pass a background check and meet other criteria set by your housing agency.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)
Another government program that creates affordable rentals is the Low Income Housing Tax Credit. It gives tax incentives to developers to build units priced below market rates.
You don’t apply directly for LIHTC housing. Rather, contact affordable housing complexes in your area and ask if they accept LIHTC. Income limits, credit checks, and waitlists often apply.
Search for LIHTC properties using the National Housing Preservation Database.
Public Housing
Public housing developments are owned and managed by local housing authorities. They offer affordable rental units to low-income families, seniors, and disabled individuals.
To get into public housing:
- Contact your local housing authority to get on the waitlist.
- Qualify based on income limits and eligibility criteria. Public housing typically accepts households earning up to 80% of area median income.
- Pass credit and background checks.
- Pay an income-based rent each month. This is usually 30% of your monthly adjusted gross income.
Rural Development (RD) Housing
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers several home loan and rental programs through its Rural Development division. These can assist low-income individuals and families in rural areas.
Options include:
- Direct home loans for low-income buyers.
- Loan guarantees to help buyers qualify for mortgages.
- Rental assistance at certain USDA-financed complexes.
Check if your county qualifies as “rural” and contact an RD specialist to learn more.
Other state and local programs
Beyond federal options, Kentucky runs state agencies and initiatives to create affordable housing:
The Kentucky Housing Corporation
Offers down payment assistance loans, and affordable mortgages, and helps fund low-income housing construction.
The Kentucky Department for Local Government
Runs the Community Development Block Grant program, which cities can use to revitalize neighborhoods.
The Kentucky Housing Assistance Fund
Provides emergency payments to cover back-due rent and prevent evictions.
Reaching out to these agencies is a good starting point to learn about available aid. Kentucky cities and counties also have their own housing assistance funds and programs in many cases.
Nonprofit Housing Assistance in Kentucky
Several charitable organizations across Kentucky offer housing help or connect families to affordable rentals and transitional housing.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity constructs and refurbishes homes for sale to low-income buyers. Homeowners get an affordable zero-interest mortgage structured in a way they can manage.
Habitat also operates Habitat Home Repair programs to fix up homes owned by vulnerable families.
To get Habitat housing:
- Contact your local Habitat chapter and explain your need.
- Qualify based on income limits, willingness to partner, and need.
- Contribute sweat equity by volunteering on construction projects.
- Complete homebuyer education courses.
- Purchase the home with an affordable Habitat mortgage.
Housing assistance from churches
Many churches and religious charities provide temporary assistance and housing aid. For example:
- Catholic Charities operates transitional shelters and permanent affordable housing.
- Family Promise helps families experiencing homelessness.
- Salvation Army offers emergency rent and utilities assistance.
These vary by location, so contact local congregations and faith-based nonprofits to learn about aid options.
Community action agencies
Kentucky has a network of community action agencies that deliver services to low-income residents. Many offer emergency rent help, deposit assistance, and connect families to affordable housing resources.
To find your local agency, go to the Community Action Kentucky website.
Other local housing nonprofits
Beyond these, numerous nonprofits across Kentucky focus specifically on creating affordable housing solutions, including:
- Housing assistance leagues
- Community development corporations
- Housing partnerships
- Homeless service providers
Search for organizations in your city or county and reach out to them directly to ask about their monetary assistance program, programs and openings.
Tips for single moms seeking housing help in Kentucky
Finding affordable housing assistance takes patience and perseverance. Here are some tips:
- Learn about eligibility requirements for programs that interest you and gather documents you’ll need to apply, like ID, income verification, birth certificates, etc.
- Get on multiple waiting lists, as these can take over a year in many cases. Don’t get discouraged.
- Look into transitional housing if you’re homeless or at immediate risk. These supportive programs provide temporary housing while helping families get back on their feet.
- Be persistent and follow up. Check in with organizations periodically to update your information and show you’re still seeking aid.
- Search for affordable market rentals, especially if you don’t qualify for below-market options yet. Avoid spending over 30% of your income on housing costs.
- Talk to a housing counselor for advice on finding and keeping stable housing. HUD-approved counselors offer this service free of charge.
Additional Financial Assistance for Low-Income Families
In addition to housing assistance singles can find additional help from the following programs in Kentucky
Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP)
The Kentucky Transitional Assistance Program (KTAP) provides temporary cash assistance to low-income families with dependent children. KTAP aims to help needy families become self-sufficient by providing short-term financial aid as well as employment assistance programs.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
SNAP, formerly known as food stamps, helps low-income individuals and families in Kentucky purchase food by providing a monthly benefit through an EBT card. SNAP benefits can be used to buy eligible grocery items at participating retailers and help ensure families have access to nutritious meals.
SNAP can also provide access to the Kentucky school breakfast program meals for children and National school lunch programs where available.
Children’s Health Insurance Program (KChip)
The Kentucky Children’s Health Insurance Program (KCHIP) provides free or low-cost health coverage to uninsured children up to age 19 whose families earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. KCHIP covers a comprehensive range of medical services including doctor visits, prescriptions, dental, vision, hearing, hospital care and more.
Women infants and children (WIC)
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides nutritious supplemental foods, nutrition education, breastfeeding support, and referrals to healthcare for low-income pregnant and postpartum women, infants, and children under 5 in Kentucky.
WIC aims to safeguard the health of at-risk, pregnant women, and young children by providing specially formulated foods, a debit card to purchase items, and connections to maternal and pediatric health services.
LiHeap
The Kentucky weatherization assistance program known nationally as LIHEAP helps low-income households afford their heating and cooling energy costs. LIHEAP provides two types of assistance – a subsidy payment sent directly to utility companies to help manage bills, and a crisis payment for emergency heating needs during the winter.
Lifeline and ACP Benefits for Housing Assistance Recipients
Families who qualify for federal housing assistance like Section 8 or Public Housing are also eligible for valuable Lifeline and Affordable Connectivity (ACP) benefits that make internet, phone, and technology more affordable.
Lifeline and the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) provides discounts on cell phone and data service to wireless carriers.
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