Elevate Estates

Who We Serve

• Permanent supportive housing for people with disabilities who are homeless or have experienced homelessness

• Households with income at or below 30% of Area Median Income (example-income limit for a family of four is $30,000)

• Includes people with intellectual/developmental disabilities, serious mental illness, physical disabilities, or those experiencing/at risk of homelessness

 

38 Units are Part of The Kentucky Balance of State (BoS) Coordinated Entry 

• A statewide system (outside Louisville and Lexington) that connects people experiencing homelessness to housing and services in a fair, prioritized way

• Managed under the Kentucky Balance of State Continuum of Care (KY BoS CoC), with Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) as the collaborative applicant with funds received from HUD to support homeless services, prevention and housing

• Uses Local Prioritization Committees (LPCs) across the state to match people to available resources based on vulnerabilities including length of time homeless, chronic health conditions, etc. 

How People Access It

• Through local access points such as emergency shelters, street outreach teams, victim service providers, Community Mental Health Centers, and other partner agencies

• People who are literally homeless (streets, shelters, or fleeing domestic violence) are assessed and added to the prioritization list

• A standardized assessment (historically the VI-SPDAT) helps determine vulnerability and service needs

How Prioritization Works

• Highest need people are served first — not first-come, first-served

• Main factors:

  • Severity of service needs / acuity

  • Length of time homeless

  • Chronic homelessness status

  • Disability

• People who are unsheltered or have the longest histories of homelessness and most complex needs are generally prioritized higher

How Referrals Happen

• Local Prioritization Committees (LPCs) review the prioritization list and match eligible households to open housing resources (Permanent Supportive Housing, Rapid Re-Housing, etc.)

• Housing providers report vacancies and receive referrals from the prioritized list

• Client choice is respected — people can accept or decline offers 

Key Goals

• Ensure the most vulnerable people get housing resources first

• Reduce barriers to assistance

• Make the process consistent and fair across the Balance of State

• Help people move into housing as quickly as possible

Additional Notes

• Domestic violence survivors can be connected through specialized pathways while maintaining safety and confidentiality

• Veterans are also prioritized within the system and linked to available veteran-specific resources

• The system covers the majority of Kentucky counties outside the larger metro Continuums of Care of Louisville and Lexington

 

How to Apply / Get Referred for the 10 Remaining Apartments

• Primary referrals come through Kentucky Medicaid Home & Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver programs

• Includes the 1915(i) RISE Initiative (for adults with serious mental illness)

• Also accepts referrals from other Kentucky waivers (SCL, Michelle P., HCB, ABI, etc.)

• Direct applications may be accepted if preferred referral pathways cannot fill vacancies

Fair Housing & Equal Opportunity

• Open to all qualified applicants regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability, or other protected status

• Follows federal Fair Housing laws and Kentucky Civil Rights Act (KRS Chapter 344)

• Reasonable accommodations available for people with disabilities

Low-Barrier / Supportive Service Approach

• Supportive services are voluntary — not required to get or keep housing

• Does not automatically deny applicants for:

  • Poor or no credit history

  • Limited rental history or past evictions

  • Most criminal history (reviewed individually)

  • Substance use or mental health history

  • Lack of current income (within the 30% AMI limit)

When Housing May Be Denied

• Required federal reasons only (e.g., lifetime sex-offender registration, certain drug manufacturing convictions on federal property)

• Decisions are individualized and consider available supports

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