Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

Statement from Dr. Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates

LOUISVILLE, KY – When families have access to safe, stable housing, children can grow and thrive. Yet, families with children are two times more likely to face eviction than other households, often leading to long-term barriers to securing stable housing even if the case is dismissed. And sometimes those children are listed on eviction filings, damaging their housing record before they are even old enough to sign a lease. 

Through House Bill 338, Representative Susan Witten and her bipartisan cohort of co-sponsors seek to promote family housing stability, remove unnecessary roadblocks to accessing affordable housing, and prevent childhood adversity. This proposed legislation would require dismissed evictions to be automatically expunged from records and prohibit minors from being named on eviction filings. 

With our partners in the Bloom Kentucky initiative, we applaud Representative Witten for her thoughtful approach to this issue impacting too many children and their families across Kentucky. We also thank the House Judiciary Committee for recognizing the need for changes to the eviction process while upholding the property rights of landlords with passage of HB 338 today. Addressing Kentucky’s housing crisis will require real investment, commonsense policy change, and true leadership – we see that in today’s discussion as HB 338 now advances to the full House for consideration. 

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.