Kentucky Overview
This page provides comprehensive information about resources, laws, and assistance programs available to individuals experiencing homelessness or hardship in Kentucky.
Quick Facts
- State Population: 4.5 million
- Homelessness Statistics: Approximately 5,200 individuals experiencing homelessness (2024)
- State Homeless Assistance Funding: $45 million allocated through various programs
- Major Urban Centers: Louisville, Lexington, Bowling Green, Owensboro
- Primary Challenges: Rural homelessness, substance use disorders, limited affordable housing
Emergency Contact Numbers
Kentucky Crisis Hotline
(866) 274-7471
Available 24/7
Housing Assistance
(800) 633-8896
Mon-Fri, 8am-4:30pm
Mental Health Support
(800) 273-8255
Available 24/7
Domestic Violence Hotline
(800) 799-7233
Available 24/7
Local Resources
Find assistance in Kentucky based on your specific needs:
The Sanctuary (Emergency Shelter)
Emergency shelter options throughout Kentucky:
Louisville Rescue Mission
City: Louisville
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, recovery programs, case management
Restrictions: Men's program, separate women's facility available
Phone: (502) 584-3711
Address: 818 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40204
Hours: 24/7 intake
Hope Center for Women
City: Louisville
Services: Emergency shelter for women and children, transitional housing
Restrictions: Women and children only
Phone: (502) 584-3711
Address: 811 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40204
Hours: Call for intake appointments
Catholic Action Center
City: Lexington
Services: Emergency shelter, meals, clothing, case management
Restrictions: Men only, 90-day maximum stay
Phone: (859) 255-5126
Address: 1055 Industry Rd., Lexington, KY 40505
Hours: Check-in 5pm-7pm daily
Greenhouse17
City: Lexington
Services: Youth emergency shelter (ages 17-24), transitional housing
Restrictions: Age 17-24 only
Phone: (859) 252-8017
Address: 1922 Russell Cave Rd., Lexington, KY 40505
Hours: 24/7 intake for youth
The Bread of Life (Food Assistance)
Food banks, meal programs, and nutrition assistance in Kentucky:
Dare to Care Food Bank
City: Louisville
Services: Food distribution through partner agencies, mobile food pantries
Requirements: None for emergency food assistance
God's Pantry Food Bank
City: Lexington
Services: Food distribution, mobile pantries, Kids BackPack Program
Requirements: None for most services
St. John Center
City: Louisville
Services: Daily meals, no questions asked policy
Requirements: None
Phone: (502) 584-9611
Address: 922 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40203
Hours: Breakfast 7am-8:30am, Lunch 11am-1pm
Bowling Green Community Kitchen
City: Bowling Green
Services: Free meals, food pantry, holiday assistance
Requirements: None for meals
Phone: (270) 842-4629
Address: 1019 Center St., Bowling Green, KY 42101
Hours: Mon-Fri 11:30am-12:30pm
Food Not Bombs - Kentucky Chapters
Locations: Multiple cities statewide
Services: Free vegan/vegetarian meals, community food sharing
Requirements: None - open to anyone
National Hotline: (800) 884-1136
Website: Kentucky Chapters Directory
Email: menu@foodnotbombs.net
Note: Visit website for local chapter locations, meal times, and contact info
The Healing Hand (Healthcare Access)
Healthcare services, free clinics, and mental health resources in Kentucky:
Family Health Centers
City: Louisville (Multiple Locations)
Services: Primary care, dental, mental health, substance abuse treatment
Requirements: Sliding fee scale based on income
Bluegrass Community Health Center
City: Lexington
Services: Primary care, behavioral health, pharmacy services
Requirements: Accepts uninsured patients
Healing Place Services
City: Louisville
Services: Addiction treatment, mental health, medical care for homeless
Requirements: Must be experiencing homelessness or in recovery
Phone: (502) 364-7100
Address: 1020 W. Market St., Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: 24/7 intake
Kentucky River Community Care
City: Hazard (Eastern Kentucky)
Services: Mental health, substance abuse, developmental disabilities
Requirements: Serves residents of Eastern Kentucky
The Haven (Safe Parking & Camping)
Safe parking programs and camping information in Kentucky:
Wayside Christian Mission
City: Louisville
Services: Safe parking program, vehicle dwelling support
Requirements: Registration required, background check
Phone: (502) 584-3711
Address: 432 E. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Program coordination Mon-Fri 9am-5pm
Louisville Metro Parks
City: Louisville
Services: Information on overnight parking policies in city parks
Requirements: Contact for current regulations
Kentucky State Parks
City: Statewide
Services: Low-cost camping options at state parks
Requirements: Camping fees required, reservations recommended
Salvation Army - Lexington
City: Lexington
Services: Emergency overnight parking assistance
Requirements: Case-by-case basis
Phone: (859) 252-7706
Address: 736 W. Main St., Lexington, KY 40508
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
The Living Waters (Shower & Hygiene)
Shower facilities, hygiene resources, and personal care assistance in Kentucky:
Louisville Rescue Mission
City: Louisville
Services: Showers, laundry, personal hygiene items
Requirements: Available to shelter guests and day visitors
Phone: (502) 584-3711
Address: 818 E. Muhammad Ali Blvd., Louisville, KY 40204
Hours: Daily 7am-7pm
St. John Center
City: Louisville
Services: Day center with shower facilities, clothing
Requirements: No ID required
Phone: (502) 584-9611
Address: 922 W. Jefferson St., Louisville, KY 40203
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm
Catholic Action Center
City: Lexington
Services: Showers, laundry facilities, hygiene supplies
Requirements: Open to all homeless individuals
Phone: (859) 255-5126
Address: 1055 Industry Rd., Lexington, KY 40505
Hours: Mon-Fri 8am-4pm
YMCA of the Bluegrass
City: Lexington
Services: Day passes for shower facilities
Requirements: May require small fee or community service
Phone: (859) 254-9622
Address: 239 E. High St., Lexington, KY 40507
Hours: Mon-Fri 5:30am-10pm, Sat-Sun 7am-8pm
The Guardian (Legal Aid & Rights)
Legal assistance, advocacy, and rights protection in Kentucky:
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
City: Lexington (Serves Central/Eastern KY)
Services: Housing law, public benefits, family law, consumer protection
Requirements: Income eligibility required
Louisville Legal Aid Society
City: Louisville
Services: Housing, public benefits, disability, family law
Requirements: Low-income eligibility
Kentucky Bar Association Pro Bono
City: Statewide
Services: Free legal clinics, attorney referrals
Requirements: Income eligibility varies
Coalition for the Homeless (Legal Clinic)
City: Louisville
Services: Legal clinic specifically for homeless individuals
Requirements: Must be experiencing homelessness
Phone: (502) 589-0190
Address: 334 E. Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202
Hours: Legal clinic Wednesdays 10am-2pm
The Providence (Government Benefits)
Government assistance programs and benefit enrollment in Kentucky:
Kentucky Department for Community Based Services
City: Statewide Offices
Services: SNAP, TANF, Medicaid, childcare assistance
Requirements: Varies by program
Social Security Administration
City: Louisville, Lexington (Multiple Offices)
Services: SSI, SSDI, Social Security benefits
Requirements: Varies by program
Kentucky Housing Corporation
City: Frankfort (Serves Statewide)
Services: Housing Choice Vouchers, emergency rental assistance
Requirements: Income limits apply
211 Kentucky
City: Statewide
Services: Information and referral to all government programs
Requirements: None
The Shepherd (Faith-Based Services)
Religious organizations and faith-based assistance programs in Kentucky:
Salvation Army - Louisville
City: Louisville
Services: Emergency assistance, food, clothing, spiritual counseling
Requirements: None for emergency services
Phone: (502) 637-7244
Address: 800 W. Ormsby Ave., Louisville, KY 40203
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-4pm
Catholic Charities of Louisville
City: Louisville
Services: Emergency assistance, refugee services, counseling
Requirements: Open to all faiths
St. Vincent de Paul - Lexington
City: Lexington
Services: Emergency assistance, food pantry, utility help
Requirements: Open to all
Phone: (859) 255-3661
Address: 674 Bolivar St., Lexington, KY 40508
Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-12pm, 1pm-4pm
United Way of Southern Kentucky
City: Bowling Green
Services: Coordinates faith-based assistance programs
Requirements: Varies by program
Kentucky Laws & Regulations
Understanding the legal landscape regarding homelessness in Kentucky:
Camping & Sleeping in Public
Kentucky does not have statewide laws specifically prohibiting camping or sleeping in public spaces. However, many municipalities have local ordinances that restrict these activities. The Martin v. Boise decision from the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals provides some protection, though Kentucky is in the 6th Circuit.
Note: Local ordinances vary significantly by city and county.
Vehicle Dwelling
Vehicle dwelling laws vary by municipality in Kentucky. Most cities prohibit overnight parking in residential areas, but enforcement varies. Some cities have begun exploring safe parking programs.
Examples: Louisville Metro Code prohibits sleeping in vehicles on public property but has some designated areas.
Food Sharing & Distribution
Kentucky generally allows for food sharing and distribution. The state has Good Samaritan food donation laws that protect donors and distributors from liability when donating food in good faith.
State Statute: KRS 411.350 (Good Samaritan Food Donation Act)
Property Rights & Seizure
Kentucky follows general constitutional protections regarding property seizure. Cities must provide adequate notice before clearing encampments and should store personal property for reasonable retrieval periods.
Constitutional Basis: 4th and 14th Amendment protections apply
Housing Rights
Kentucky follows federal fair housing laws and has some state-level tenant protections. The state has adopted the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act with modifications.
State Statute: KRS Chapter 383 (Landlord and Tenant)
Legal Resources
If you need legal assistance regarding your rights in Kentucky, the following organizations can help:
Legal Aid of the Bluegrass
Provides free legal services for low-income residents in housing, benefits, and family law.
Phone: (859) 254-7046
Website: lablaw.org
Louisville Legal Aid Society
Serves low-income residents in Jefferson County with various legal issues including housing.
Phone: (502) 584-1254
Website: louislegalaid.org
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund
Serves Eastern Kentucky with legal assistance for low-income residents.
Phone: (606) 678-0460
Website: appalred.org
Kentucky Equal Justice Center
Advocates for policy change and provides training to legal aid organizations statewide.
Phone: (859) 431-8200
Website: kyequaljustice.org
County-Specific Information
Laws, resources, and regulations can vary significantly by county in Kentucky. Select a county to view specific information:
Jefferson County (Louisville Metro)
County Seat: Louisville
Population: 770,000
Homelessness Statistics: Approximately 1,600 people experiencing homelessness
Local Ordinances
- Camping: Louisville Metro Code 96.05 prohibits camping in public spaces, but enforcement is limited when shelter space is unavailable.
- Sleeping in Vehicles: Generally prohibited on public streets, but some designated areas available through programs.
- Panhandling: Regulated but not prohibited; aggressive panhandling is illegal.
- Food Distribution: Generally allowed in public spaces with proper permits for large gatherings.
County Resources
Key resources specific to Jefferson County:
Fayette County (Lexington)
County Seat: Lexington
Population: 325,000
Homelessness Statistics: Approximately 400 people experiencing homelessness
Local Ordinances
- Camping: City ordinances prohibit camping in public spaces, parks, and downtown areas.
- Sleeping in Vehicles: Prohibited in most public areas, limited safe parking options available.
- Panhandling: Allowed with restrictions on location and methods.
- Food Distribution: Permitted with coordination through city officials for larger distributions.
County Resources
Key resources specific to Fayette County:
Success Stories from Kentucky
Read about individuals who have found hope and assistance through GRACE and our partner organizations in Kentucky:
Sarah's Journey
After losing her job at a Louisville manufacturing plant, Sarah and her teenage daughter faced eviction. Through the Coalition for the Homeless, they accessed emergency rental assistance and Sarah enrolled in job training for healthcare support. She now works as a certified nursing assistant and has stable housing.
"The case workers didn't just help me with immediate needs - they helped me build a plan for the future. Now I'm helping other families in similar situations."
Resources that helped: Emergency Rental Assistance, Job Training, Case Management, Childcare Support
Michael's Journey
After struggling with addiction and living in his car in Lexington, Michael connected with the Catholic Action Center's recovery program. Through comprehensive services including treatment, transitional housing, and employment assistance, he has been sober for 18 months and works as a maintenance supervisor.
"The folks at CAC met me where I was and helped me see that recovery was possible. They gave me more than shelter - they gave me hope and a community."
Resources that helped: Substance Abuse Treatment, Transitional Housing, Job Placement, Peer Support
Have a success story to share? We'd love to hear how resources in Kentucky have helped you.
Share Your StoryState-Specific Programs
Special initiatives and programs available specifically in Kentucky to assist those experiencing homelessness:
Kentucky Emergency Rental Assistance Program (KERAP)
Type: Rental and Utility Assistance
Eligibility: Households at or below 80% Area Median Income affected by COVID-19
Benefits: Up to 18 months of rental assistance, utility payments, housing stability services
How to Apply: Through Kentucky Housing Corporation or local participating agencies
Permanent Supportive Housing Program
Type: Long-term Housing with Services
Eligibility: Chronically homeless individuals with disabilities
Benefits: Rental assistance combined with case management and supportive services
How to Apply: Through Coordinated Entry System in your area
Solutions for Hope (S4H)
Type: Housing and Recovery Services
Eligibility: Individuals with substance use disorders experiencing homelessness
Benefits: Integrated housing and treatment services, peer support
How to Apply: Through participating treatment providers and homeless service agencies
Interactive Resource Map
Find resources in Kentucky based on your location:
Enable location services to find resources near you, or select a city below:
Interactive Map Placeholder
In the full implementation, this would display an interactive map showing:
- • Shelter locations
- • Food banks and meal services
- • Health clinics
- • Safe parking areas
- • Hygiene facilities
- • Government service offices
- • Angel Outreach partners