MHC Reports

MHC conducts and compiles research relevant to housing in the metropolitan region. Since 2003, we have published the annual State of Metropolitan Housing Report, which provides indicators on nine measures of affordable housing and has different focus issues annually. We also produce papers on specific housing issues.

Scroll through the report library to review titles and abstracts, or use the report search engine to locate the report you are seeking.



2003 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 13th, 2003

MHC's first in-depth annual report that reports on 9 measures of housing in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area. Published annually after 2003.

2004 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 25th, 2004

In addition to its housing measures, The 2004 State of Metropolitan Housing report highlights the rising rates of foreclosure in the Louisville metropolitan area.

2005 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 25th, 2005

The 2005 SMHR focuses on the role of non-profit affordable housing developers in creating affordable housing and revitalizing neighborhoods, with government cooperation. MHC now staffs the Non-profit Housing Alliance and MHC’s role in facilitating the creation of affordable housing is well underway. The report also includes new indicators in our measurement of our community’s ability to provide fair and affordable housing throughout our region. We have included gender in our study of segregation, as women head 35% of all households.

2006 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 30th, 2006

MHC's annual report card on affordable housing examines at land development codes and their impact in the Louisville Metro region on affordable housing.

2007 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 17th, 2007

In 2007, the SMHR focus topic is transportation in our region – How is it financed? What is the planning process? Who makes the decisions? How can we have our voices heard? When we started, we found this area to be one of seemingly deliberate obfuscation which denied individuals meaningful input into the planning process. What we found is that nominal decision makers are not being held accountable as they defer their responsibility. But we can take back control of the over $1 billion dollars spent on transportation! It starts with each of you requiring your elected officials- state and local- to be accountable. MHC also makes policy recommendations including a process that includes the public before all the decisions are made.

2008 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 28th, 2008

The 2008 State of Metropolitan Housing Report is a report card of the affordable housing challenges and successes in the Louisville metropolitan region. This year's report focuses on utilities cost and energy efficiency as an integral component of housing affordability.

2009 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 28th, 2009

On our 20th anniversary, MHC is released our seventh State of Metropolitan Housing Report, an ongoing report card of the fair and affordable housing challenges and successes in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistcal Area. Instead of a choosing a specific focus topic, we have expanded each measure to examine the way each are connected to create an overall picture of housing in our region.

2010 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 28th, 2010

In addition to its nine measures of affordable housing in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area, the 2010 State of Metropolitan Housing Report provides a housing policy roadmap for our community. It examines housing policies and strategies that can shape housing choices for individuals and families in Louisville. The report provides an outline for what issues local and state housing policies should address, what policies and strategies have been successful here or in other cities, the most effective ways to implement these policies, and strategies to provide fair and affordable housing for all members of the Louisville community.

2011 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

October 27th, 2011

The 2011 report examines nine indicators of fair and affordable housing progress in the 13-county Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and this year brings in new 2010 census data. In addition to the nine measures, the report also looks at environmental justice issues of soil, water and air quality as well as approaches to providing fair and affordable housing that uses less energy. "This year the State of Metropolitan Housing Report specifies links between safe and affordable housing and environmental harms and benefits. We see a natural coalition between those who advocate for affordable housing and those who advocate for environmental justice and environmental protection”, states Dr. Lauren C. Heberle, Director, Center for Environmental Policy and Management. The 2011 State of Metropolitan Housing Report is made possible by the generous support of Louisville Metro Government, MHC board member Janet Dakan, PNC and the Gannett Foundation.

2012 State of Metropolitan Housing Report

November 29th, 2012

Through its 9 measures of fair and affordable housing, the 2012 State of Metropolitan Housing Report clearly demonstrates Metropolitan Louisville’s growing need for safe, fair, and affordable housing. For the first time, the SMHR includes data on the number of children experiencing homelessness in the MSA’s public school systems; before MHC reported only on Jefferson County Public Schools. The focus topic of the 2012 report is vacant properties and their impact on the community as well as current efforts and best practices that to address this issue. The report also drills down into the Neighborhood Stabilization Program, a federal program designed to address the issue of vacant properties, and how it was used in Louisville. The report was researched and written by a team from the University of Louisville Center for Environmental Policy and Management (CEPM)- John Vick, M.S., Carol Norton, AICP Allison Smith, Ph.D., and Lauren C. Heberle, Ph.D. The report was made possible by the generous support of: Louisville Metro Department of Community Services and Revitalization; Louisville Metro Council Neighborhood Development Fund- with thanks to Metro Councilmembers Marianne Butler, Attica Woodson Scott, Tina Ward Pugh, Glen Stuckel, Stuart Benson, Robin Engel, Jon Ackerson, Cheri Bryant Hamilton, Tom Owen, David Yates, Kelly Downard, David Tandy, and Mary Woolridge ; PNC Bank; Fifth Third Bank; and the Gannett Foundation.

Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice in Louisville Metro, KY

March 30th, 2010

At the request of Metro government, MHC prepared the 2010 Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing Choice for Louisville Metro, Kentucky (AI). It was adopted as policy by Metro Government in March 2010 and submitted to HUD as part of the 5-year Consolidated Plan. The AI examines the state of housing choice for the protected classes (race, color, national origin, sex, familial status, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity) in Louisville Metro, KY. The AI not only looks at where people in protected classes live, but proposes action steps to tear down barriers to fair housing.

Analysis of Policies That Are Impediments to Full Expenditure of LIHEAP Funds in Areas with Metered Utilities

November 2nd, 2011

MHC advocates for three changes in policy at the state level which will allow low-income households in Jefferson County to fully benefit from energy assistance as intended by the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The three changes are to: extend the program cut-off date for metered areas that actually allow the delay between consumption and billing for the heating season; retain the $400 cap for households in metered areas; and allow any unspent funds from the heating season to be held by the jurisdiction until the cooling season and/or be used for energy efficient modifications to residences. MHC circulated information on our policy work and asked for organizations to sign onto this letter to the Commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Community-Based Services, which administers the LIHEAP program and to the Kentucky Attorney General’s office. Seven other organizations signed on with MHC and the letter was sent on November 2, 2011.

CDBG: A Tool for Neighborhoods

June 28th, 2004

This 2004 report will let you see how you can influence the use of the Metro Government’s largest fund--the Community Development Block Grant. Primarily used to benefit low-income people and neighborhoods, this is a powerful source of funding for projects that will improve low-income neighborhoods and the people's lives that live in them.

Clarksdale HOPE VI: Community Supportive Services Program Evaluation Final Report: A Critical Analysis


This paper analyzes the 2011 Clarksdale HOPE VI: Community Supportive Services Program Evaluation Final Report (Clarksdale Report) by Dr. Ramona Stone and provides recommendations to Louisville Metro Housing Authority (LMHA) for criteria it should use to evaluate proposals to conduct independent program evaluation of the Sheppard Square HOPE VI Revitalization project. Using Michael Quinn Patton’s “utilization-focused evaluation” model as a lens, the critical analysis determines that the Clarksdale Report represents a lost opportunity for LMHA to gain useful information about the implementation and effects of its Clarksdale HOPE VI Revitalization CSS program that would enable it to tailor those services to better meet the needs of Sheppard Square residents who will shortly begin relocation from the site.

Homeless - Not Helpless: Coordinating a Community Response to Homeless Students White Paper

May 6th, 2011

Due the significant rise in the number of students experiencing homelessness in Jefferson County Public Schools (10,555 students in 2009-10), three major systems – the Jefferson County Public Schools, the Kentucky Cabinet for Family and Health Services Department of Community-Based Services and the Jefferson County Family Court- convened a cross-training, held on September 17, 2010 on the effects of this exponential rise in the number and percentage of youth who are homeless and touched by these systems. The focus of the training was to learn about this growing problem and together approach solutions to serving these children. Conference attendees participated in small group breakout sessions to collaboratively brainstorm ideas that identify and address the gaps and barriers that exist within and between systems to meeting the best interests of children who are homeless. This White Paper summarizes and makes recommended action steps based on the ideas from the groups. These ideas were categorized into six areas: Training and Professional Development, New Resources, A Community-Wide Response, Ways to Improve Communication, Housing Ideas, and New Collaborations. The discussions initiated at this conference must continue and should be viewed as just the first small step in coordinating a better response to children’s homelessness.

Housing Insecurity: Neighborhood Conversations on Health Care Costs

March 5th, 2008

MHC's 2008 recommendations for changes in health care policy in Kentucky and the nation.

Housing Trends in Louisville-2003

December 1st, 2003

This data-packed report gives analysis of housing trends throughout the city, and provides comparative analysis by zip code. Written in partnership with the University of Louisville.

Louisville Metro Homlelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP): Evolution & Impact 2009-2012

October 30th, 2012

A report by the Louisville Urban League (LUL). This report discusses the history and impact of the Louisville Metro Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Rehousing Program (HPRP). The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (or Stimulus Package) included $1.5 billion for HPRP. Louisville Metro received $4,870,830 in a 3-year grant for this program. HPRP offered its participants two types of rental assistance, "homelessness prevention" and "rapid re-housing." Homelessness prevention provided rental subsidies to tenants at risk of eviction due to their inability to pay rent in full. This allowed them to remain in their existing homes. The rapid-rehousing program provided rent, and, moving costs, and/or security deposit subsidies that enabled recipients to locate new rental housing. HPRP also provided clients with case management services designed to help them become self-sufficient. Some of the case management funds supported legal services and referrals to households facing eviction hearings in court. The report summarizes the history of the program in Louisville, including important changes made after the first year to improve the program's efficacy. The report also discusses client outcomes, including stories about three individual clients' experiences with HPRP. The report finds that HPRP was a Successful Recovery Act Intervention with lasting impacts that helped 2,069 Louisville households hurt by the recession. HPRP: Evolution & Impact 2009-2012 was prepared by LUL in partnership with the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services & Revitalization. MHC researched and wrote the report for LUL.

Louisville Vacant Properties Campaign Presentation to Metro Council Ad Hoc Committee on Vacant Properties

March 5th, 2012

On Monday, March 5, the Metro Council Ad-Hoc Committee on Vacant Properties held its meeting at the Shawnee Neighborhood Association offices on Amy Avenue. Nearly 60 people attended and heard presentations from MHC and the Network Center for Community Change (NC3). MHC's Cathy Hinko spoke about the work of the Louisville Vacant Property Campaign and policy options available to help our community better respond to our growing vacant property crisis.

Louisville's Foreclosure Crisis

January 20th, 2008

A study of loan elements and Property Valuation information for all foreclosures in Louisville Metro from January 1 to June 30, 2007 and interviews with 26 individual households in foreclosure.

Louisville's Foreclosure Crisis- Powerpoint Presentation

January 10th, 2008

Power Point Presentation on Foreclosure Crisis report findings.

Louisville's Foreclosure Crisis- Report Appendices

January 10th, 2008

Appendices to the Foreclosure Report include: Foreclosure Data for the Annie E. Casey Neighborhoods; Foreclosures by State Senate District; Foreclosures by Investment Property by Neighborhood; Data Sources; Characteristics of Foreclosed Loans; 2007 Foreclosures by Month Compared to 2005; Foreclosures by Lender; Mortgage Lender with Adjustable Rates, Prepayment Penalties or Insurance & Tax Exclusions by Area; Utility Costs by Type, Age and Size of Home; Foreclosures by Zip Code; Foreclosures by Census Tract.

Louisville's Foreclosure Recovery: Understanding and Responding to the Impact of Foreclosure Sales

March 21st, 2012

Louisville's Foreclosure Recovery updates MHC’s January 2008 report Louisville’s Foreclosure Crisis The 2008 report examined and analyzed all 1,699 foreclosures filed in Jefferson County, KY from January 1 through June 30, 2007. This paper examines the status of those properties, using data from local government supplemented by site examination. The report assesses current trends in foreclosure in Louisville, the impact of foreclosure on vacancy rates, the tremendous loss in home value resulting from these 2007 foreclosures, and the subsequent increase in costs and loss in property tax revenue to Metro Louisville Government. The issue paper concludes with recommend actions that will guide a recovery from the tremendous losses of foreclosure in our city. Louisville's Foreclosure Recovery was produced in partnership with the Network Center for Community Change (NC3) and is sponsored by Louisville Metro Council and NC3.

Moving On: Student Mobility and Affordable Housing

February 15th, 2004

This analysis, using Jefferson County Public Schools data, demonstrates the link between education and housing. Students who do not have stable homes suffer in their academic performance.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program in Louisville: An MHC Issue Brief

December 31st, 2012

This issue brief describes the impact of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) in Louisville, as administered by the Louisville Metro Department of Community Services and Revitalization. NSP is a federal program created by the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 that worked to stabilize neighborhoods that have suffered from foreclosure and abandonment. In Louisville, NSP targeted 5 neighborhoods: Shawnee, Smoketown, Shelby Park, Portland, Newburg, and Park du Valle.

Opening the Door: 40 Years of Open Housing

April 19th, 2006

Just forty years ago, many Louisville residents opposed the basic notion that African American citizens have the right to rent or own a home anywhere in the city. Like many cities at that time, Louisville’s laws overtly supported racial inequality. This issue paper, sponsored generously by US Bank, looks into our city's fair housing history. Thank you to US Bank for sponsoring this powerful issue paper.

Out of Breath: Childhood Asthma, Poverty and Housing

March 1st, 2005

This report examines the relationship between childhood asthma and concentration of poverty in our community.

Out of Breath: Childhood Asthma, Poverty and Housing- Methodology and Data Sources

March 1st, 2005

Additonal information about the methodology and data sources used for Out of Breath: Childhood Asthma, Poverty and Housing.

State of Fair and Affordable Housing in Lexington-Fayette Urban County, Kentucky

February 6th, 2013

A report of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Human Rights Commission (LFUCHRC). The State of Fair and Affordable Housing Report for Lexington-Fayette Urban County, Kentucky examines local housing conditions in Lexington-Fayette Urban County with a particular focus on housing fairness, choice, and affordability. LFUCHRC released this much needed in-depth look at fair and housing as a tool for both public and private sectors. LFUCHRC seeks to focus efforts to improve fair housing choices in Lexington and to strengthen the link between fair housing and affordable housing. Lexington, along with the rest of the state and country, has seen many demographic changes and gathered the information for easy access. Metropolitan Housing Coalition and the University of Louisville Center for Environmental Policy and Management did the research and writing of this report. The report was produced in partnership with the Lexington Fair Housing Council and was funded by a grant from United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

State of Fair Housing In Louisville

January 26th, 2011

More than forty years after the first Fair Housing laws were enacted, Louisville remains a segregated city. The State of Fair Housing in Louisville: Impediments and Improvements examines where people protected by Fair Housing laws live and explores the barriers that lie at the heart of true fair housing choice, many of which are inherited. The report offers action steps to remove barriers to fair housing choice so that it becomes a reality. MHC wishes to thank the sponsors of this report: Louisville Metro government, through the Department of Housing and through a special grant from Ninth District Councilwoman Tina Ward-Pugh, and Making Connections Network. MHC would also like to thank the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission for including the release of the State of Fair Housing in Louisville in the 15th Annual Race and Relations Conference on January 25, 2011

The Dividing Line: Women & Housing Patterns in Louisville

June 26th, 2007

In 2007, there were over 100,000 female headed households in Louisville Metro--over 35% of households! This paper studies where single mothers, women over 65 and single women without children live and examines household income of as well as family composition.

Vacant Properties: A Tool to Turn Neighborhood Liabilities into Assets

June 30th, 2009

No matter if you call Germantown, Fairdale or Shawnee home, every neighborhood in Louisville has been affected by vacant properties. This issue paper will teach you about this widespread problem and introduce solutions for change.

When Work Doesn't Pay: The Challenge of Housing Our Essential Workforce

June 20th, 2005

This report shows that there there is a significant gap between what workers earn and the cost of safe, decent housing in the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area. To reduce this gap, there are two solutions — to increase wages and to create new sources and forms of housing subsidy to provide low-cost housing.

Where Do You Live? Louisville's Homeless Children and the Affordable Housing Crisis

August 19th, 2009

During the 2008-2009 school year, 8,582, nearly 9%, of all children in the JCPS system were homeless at some time in the year. As an estimated ten families face foreclosure each day in the Louisville area, MHC is releasing this much needed in-depth look at how our children are being affected by the growing affordable housing crisis. With this rich data we will formulate policy based recommendations and actions you can take to help improve this crisis. Thank you to our sponsors Making Connections Louisville and PNC Bank. Without your support, this report would not be possible. Also, thank you to JCPS who worked with researchers Valerie Salley and Fran Ellers.