Navigating Eviction and Housing Rights in Louisville
May 07, 2026 10:59PM ● By Marie Lewis
Eviction is often discussed as a personal failure or a private struggle. But for many in Louisville, it is a systemic trap, one that impacts health, education, and long-term stability. To better understand the landscape of housing justice in Kentucky, we sat down with two dedicated leaders working on the front lines of community organizing and policy change.
Meet the Experts
Celine Mutuyemariya
Co-Director of BLACK (Black Leadership Action Coalition of Kentucky) As the Co-Director of BLACK, Celine focuses specifically on Operations and Development for the organization. While her co-director, Talesha Wilson, leads organizing and programs, Celine ensures the engine of the organization is strong so they can fulfill their primary mission: growing people power to drive systemic changes in Kentucky.
Nikita Perumal
Director of Issue Organizing at Common Ground Kentucky, Director of Issue Organizing at Common Ground Kentucky Nikita is a strategist and organizer dedicated to statewide powerbuilding coalitions and housing justice. Through her role at Common Ground Kentucky and her work with the Welcome Home KY coalition, she recently convened 17 organizations to push for policy solutions like eviction expungement and protecting minors from being named in housing filings. Nikita works to develop and support organizers who fight for the real-world needs of Kentucky families.
The Invisible Barrier to Housing
One of the most startling realities of the local housing crisis is what Nikita Perumal calls the "Invisible Problem." Nearly 45% of eviction filings are eventually dismissed in court. In reality, that filing, even when dismissed, stays on a person’s record indefinitely. As Celine explains:
"Once an eviction is on someone's record, it's very, very hard for them to get housing in the future. So if the goal is to prevent that scarlet letter from being on someone's housing record, then we need to help people stabilize their housing."
This barrier often extends to the next generation. This is why the fight for fair housing is a statewide effort. Initiatives like the work of the Welcome Home KY coalition are fighting to ensure that minors aren't improperly listed on filings and that families aren't haunted by dismissed cases for years. A bill that offered these solutions very nearly passed in the 2026 General Assembly and is expected to come up again in 2027.
Care Over Punishment
Celine emphasizes that our current city systems are often designed to surveil rather than support. She suggests a radical but simple shift:
"Instead of the city coming from this punishment lens, we believe they should be coming from a lens of care... rather than fine people for not having their grass cut, couldn't there be a way to fund or hire volunteers to help people's grass get cut?"
Currently, public funds are often funneled into policing and jails, while programs funding eviction prevention reach capacity almost instantly. When advocates look at the current landscape of support, they see a "crumb" system.
"Government officials try to point to the crumbs and they say, 'Look, we do have something,'" Celine notes. "But you got to talk to the people who are actually going through those application processes... you realize that there’s nothing out there."
If You Need Help Right Now
If a notice appears on your door, the most important thing to know is: Do not just accept it and leave. Louisville is covered by the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (URLTA), which means you have specific protections. While legal options in Kentucky are still limited, you have the right to a process.
Quick-Start Resource Guide
Stop My Eviction: Your first stop for immediate local resources.
Street Tips (Coalition for the Homeless): Up-to-date guidance for housing crises.
The I Am Dope Project: A Black woman-led organization providing emergency housing support.
Your Legal Toolkit
The Strength of the Union
Individual action is a start, but collective action is the solution. "We should be back in the practice of knowing who our neighbors are and building relationships with them," Celine says. "There are ways that we can support each other without anyone intervening."
1. Join a Tenant Union
Don't fight alone. These groups organize tenants for collective bargaining power to protect each other’s rights:
Kentucky Tenant Union: Active here in Louisville.
KY Tenants: Representing neighbors in Lexington and Morehead.
2. Demand Systemic Change
We need policy, not just charity. Advocates are calling for a minimum $20 million investment in housing stabilization. Celine argues this starts with changing how we view our homes:
"Housing is treated like a commodity... when we see it as a basic human need. If it is a basic human need like food, it should be regulated. Those who enter the landlord profession should have rules to follow."
3. Connect with "Organizing Homes."
Groups like BLACK (kyblack.org) help residents build the collective power needed to drive lasting change. You can also support the Safe and Stable Campaign, a joint effort pushing for affordable housing investments across the city.
By building real relationships and demanding policy changes that prioritize stability over punishment, we can ensure that every family in Kentucky has a safe place to call home.