LOUISVILLE, Ky. — You've been calling and e-mailing the WHAS11 newsroom with questions about paying your rent. It's April first --which means the monthly cost of living is due.
Meet Andy Bleiden, he’s a landlord who rents out 28 business spots in the Butchertown Market Building.
"I have gotten a lot of phone calls today and I don’t normally get a lot of phone calls I mean April first is obviously April fools but this is no joke.”
Bleiden says the uncertainty in the matter of how long businesses and people will be out of work is paralyzing.
Last week, Governor Andy Beshear signed an executive order halting evictions.
However, Councilwoman Jessica Green says that doesn't mean you don't owe rent.
"The reality of what that means for people is that there is nothing that prohibits a landlord when all this is done whether it be two months, three months, or four months from demanding rent payments.”
Green is an attorney in her day job, who handles landlord/tenant law and evictions.
Her best suggestion is having a conversation with your landlord, about payment options. For landlords--your debt is not wiped away, she says.
For now, lenders are deferring payments or allowing you to only pay interest, but that could change.
There are also federal bail outs that help if a landlord is losing money.
Bleiden says these programs work.
"Every bank I’ve talked to is willing to work with us, so I would just say, be part of the solution if you can.”
For renters, your options just got bigger in Louisville.
Green says “ there is a COVID-19 fund that initially had 3.6 million dollars in it you will be able to call each of the neighborhood to get on that list.
On the other side of river, Hoosiers, Governor Eric Holcomb has also issued this same executive order, so again, you can't get evicted during this outbreak, but you do still owe your rent.
Consumers Louisville, Jefferson Co.
The One Louisville: COVID-19 Response Fund will provide flexible funding resources for rental assistance, childcare assistance, transportation aid, food access, utility assistance and other support as determined, via $1,000 payments to eligible households.
Funds will also be made available to community-based organizations that are being hit hard by the disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
If you want to donate to the fund click here.
Utilities
LG&E, KU, Duke Energy and ODP will suspend disconnects through May 1 for those who are having difficulty making payments on time. They will work with customers on payment arrangements, and they will continue to serve customers through home visits when necessary.
RELATED: Utility companies suspend disconnections, waive late fees for customers facing financial difficulty
Homeowners
Numerous mortgage lenders have said they are willing to work with distressed borrowers, including potentially suspending or reducing payments.
Contact them immediately to find out about your options.
GOVERNMENT HELP
Yes, the government is delivering one-time payments to adults but those are still weeks away.
Evelyn Zohlen, a certified financial planner and chair of the Financial Planning Association, urges people to use that money for needs not wants. If you are not in need, consider dropping that money into an emergency savings fund as anyone's economic picture can change quickly.
Apply for Unemployment
Thousands of people in Kentucky and Indiana are without jobs after businesses were forced to shut down to try to stop the spread of the coronavirus.
If you need to apply for unemployment benefits during this uncertain time, you can do it easily online.
Small businesses
Organizations and U.S. Small Business Administration is providing disaster-assistance loans to small business owners who qualify and were affected by the pandemic.
Other companies waiving fees through May
For the latest updates on COVID-19 in the Commonwealth, click here.
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