The end of a federal moratorium on evictions brought with it an increased urgency in getting assistance dollars to tenants and landlords. It was a topic of significant discussion Tuesday at Lexington City Hall.
Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton said city workers from various departments have been called in to help with the large number of applications for housing assistance. Chief Administrative Officer Sally Hamilton told Council members it has meant lots of long hours for many employees. “They’re working all weekend. We cannot do any more than we can do. And I appreciate everything that has been done by our staff. And I will defend them til death do me part,” said Hamilton.
Grants and Special Programs Director Charlie Lanter said 50 people are now involved in the largest push during the pandemic. He said cities were not prepared for such a massive federal flow of money. Lanter said Council will be asked later this month to approve a plan where Community Action Agency will take the lead on processing.
Jonathon Wright heads Lexington’s Housing Stabilization Program. He said forcing residents out of their homes doesn’t happen often. “A true eviction where a tenant is forcibly removed from their home, that scenario is very rare right now. Even still, it happens. Each one of those we obviously take seriously and learn from,” explained Wright.
Wright said the majority of landlords are still willing to work with his office and judges are continuing cases to a future date. Council Member Richard Moloney expressed concern about single mothers with children being evicted. He said he’s passed on to the mayor’s office word of a local hotel owner willing to offer his facility for a year to help those evicted.