Tenants and landlords alike came together on April 11, 2023, to receive information about housing rights and responsibilities at the Louisville Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities Workshop. The workshop was co-hosted by the HUD Louisville Office, Home of the Innocents, and Louisville Coalition for the Homeless in recognition of Fair Housing Month.

The workshop consisted of presentations by HUD, Home of the Innocents, Kentucky Fair Housing Council, Louisville Metro Code Enforcement, and Louisville Legal Aid. Following the presentations, a lively panel session for questions and answers took place.

“As we commemorate 55 years of the enactment of the Fair Housing Act, we strive to connect with tenants and housing practitioners to remind them of its importance for ensuring justice and dignity in our housing system,” said Tiffany Cobb, HUD’s Southeast Deputy Regional Administrator. “This workshop for HUD assisted residents and landlords in Louisville and Jefferson County is part of our ongoing partnership with federal, state, and local governments and organizations to improve the quality of life for HUD assisted tenants and ensuring their protections under the Fair Housing law are implemented.”

“Please have this meeting more than once a year! I learned a lot,” said Azariah Bryant, Louisville tenant.

“The first Tenants’ Rights and Responsibilities workshop in Louisville was a success. Multiple attendees received valuable information and resources,” said Joe Hamilton, PMP, Vice President of Prevention and Pathways HOME, Home of the Innocents. “There was a fantastic discussion between panelists and the audience with many specific questions being thoroughly addressed. I'm already looking forward to next year's workshop!”

Louisville Metro, Kentucky is a consolidated city-county with Jefferson County. In addition to enforcement of federal and state protected classes (race, religion, national origin, color, familial status, sex, and disability), this locality also includes the following protected classes: Age, Gender Identity, Sexual Orientation, Source of Income, Arrest History, Homelessness Status, and Military Record. See City of Louisville Municipal Code § 92.01 et seq. for more information.

Also in attendance providing information on various topics included the following community partners: AARP, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Coalition for the Homeless, United Way Metro, Louisville Legal Aid Society, Louisville Office of Resilience and Community Services, Lexington Fair Housing Council, Metro Housing Coalition, Southside Ministries, Dollar For, Neighborhood Place, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Kentucky Fair Housing Council, Louisville Metro Public Health and Wellness, Kentucky League of Women Voters, and Americana World Community Center.

If you feel that your housing rights have been violated, you can file a Fair Housing Complaint online. You may also contact the Kentucky Fair Housing Council. For legal advice on housing topics including how to avoid eviction, please contact Louisville Legal Aid Society. For further information about code enforcement for properties in Louisville Metro, visit the Louisville Metro Code Enforcement site.

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