Safe, affordable, quality housing is the foundation of a thriving, vibrant city

Our vision is to create a stronger and more vibrant Louisville through increased housing options in every part of our community, providing Louisville residents across all income ranges with affordable quality housing options that fit their needs and stage of life.

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The neighbors pictured on billboard, kiosks and bus shelters are fictional, but they represent realistic stories of residents in Louisville who need more affordable housing options - single mothers, the elderly, the disabled, and others. Below are stories of real-life Louisvillians who struggle to find decent and stable housing or to access homeownership.

  • "I'm living with my niece and her family currently looking for a 2 bedroom apartment. I have a 12 year old and a 2 year old, and I'm pretty much homeless. I only make $18.75 an hour, and I can't afford an apartment for $1,300.

    Marlena, 40272

  • "I see my Dad wonder how he will pay his rent if it keeps going up, knowing that he is in one of the more 'affordable' apartments in the urban area. He knows he can't afford to live in many other places."

    Rebecca, 40204

  • "My son is disabled, and he uses a wheelchair. He relies on SSDI and Section 8. We looked for a year for a place for him that he could afford and was in a fairly accessible, safe area. We finally had to borrow every dime we could to purchase a place for him to rent. There simply was nothing out there. We're very house poor now, and that's a shame. He's a human being who deserves a decent place to live.

    Robin, 40220

  • " ... the idea of buying a house here is totally unaffordable right now. The amount of affordable housing available is just not enough, and the city has an overwhelming amount of houses being flipped and sold for 300k and up. This is not sustainable nor is it attainable for most Louisvillians. "

    Sarah, 40203

  • "I've been trying to find immediate housing for [my brother-in-law] in the Russell area or closer to me around Cane Run Road, Taylor Boulevard with no success. There aren't enough affordable senior housing without using a majority of the senior's income and still survive. Majority of the senior facilities have a 1-6 months waiting list. There need to be something done for our seniors.

    Cynthia, 40215

  • "Everything is too expensive. I am so young, and I feel so hopeless. How am I gonna buy a house and retire comfortably. I am so scared."

    Caleb, 40217

  • "[Our daughter who is disabled] was approved for a Section 8 voucher, but we were unable to locate an accessible and affordable place for her to live in her community before her voucher expired. ... This just pushed her further back from being able to secure safe, affordable housing and achieve her dream of living independently.

    Karen, 40207

  • "I was homeless two times in Louisville in the span of 20 years. In 2002, I couldn't afford a place for my family and I outside of the West End. While in the West End and receiving Section 8 housing assistance, my utility cost were through the roof and cause me to leave affordable housing. I moved around and even moved away and came back. The jobs and wages don't match the housing options, especially when you are poor. At times I paid 60% to 75% of my income for housing.

    Shameka, 40216

  • "As recently widowed, I am currently stuck in my home. I cannot sell my current house and downsize because the housing market is so high. I would like something smaller but not 3 times the price of my current price."

    Harriet, 40299

  • "I am a single mom of 4, working 2 jobs to pay $1,860 a month for a 3 bedroom apartment. We have to choose between providing a roof over our children's head or providing a household where a parent can be present."

    DeShaun, 20272

  • "It's been hard, and it took us 1.5 years of intense looking to find a new home after living in the same one for 17 years. We looked off and on over the last 6 years but could not find a suitable affordable place. In the end, we settled for a home that needed massive amounts of renovations and required fixes. More affordable and dense housing would drive down home costs for everyone looking to buy."

    Michael, 40205

  • "Have several relatives who live with serious mental illness. It is very challenging finding and securing safe, affordable housing with access to treatment, health services, employment, shopping, etc. They need housing with supportive services that enable them to be engaged community members and achieve greatest possible self-sufficiency and quality of life."

    Leslie, 40204

  • "Two years ago, my husband was diagnosed with ALS. We were living on the second floor of a 4 plex... The first thing the doctors told us was that we HAD to get to a 1st floor because my husband would eventually be in a wheelchair ...I could not find anything we could afford. Finally, 10 months later, I found a somewhat affordable "basement" ground level... My husband passed away 2 weeks after we signed the lease... I'm STUCK here. I can barely afford this ($910); there is no possible way I can move to something with easier access."

    Rebecca, 40206

  • "I find it difficult to find affordable housing. I am homeless. I am fortunate to live in a home where I am a live-in caregiver for an elderly family member. However, I am vulnerable to being out of this home should something happen to this family member."

    Susan, 40220

  • "It's been difficult to find safe, affordable housing for my autistic son and I. We had a condo that I attempted to buy on contract. However, the condo did not qualify for the financing because there were too many FHA loans. It was disappointing to say the least. We lost money. We moved in 2022-our rent is over $650 higher. I find it impossible to save any money and it's hard to make ends meet. I have given up hope on buying a home at this point.

    Kelly, 40245

Meet your real neighbors

Nick Tsueda

Leah Pugh

Eurana Horton