Kentucky House passes bills about squatters, affordable housing

Legislation passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives on Friday included one dealing with creating affordable housing and another on evicting squatters.

House Bill 50, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, deals with those occupying buildings without permission of the owner, commonly known as “squatters.”

She told her colleagues that similar legislation passed last year met with universal accolades statewide, except in Jefferson County and from Louisville Metro Police. They expressed apprehension, so the current bill was drafted to  address their concerns.

HB 50 was approved on a 92-0 vote.


House Bill 333 would allow faith-based organizations to build up to 24 affordable housing units on their property.

Rep. Michael Pollock, R-Campbellsville, told House colleagues that the bill originated after the Sisters of Loretto renovated an empty building and turned it into short-term housing. 

The bill also permits religious institutions to operate modest homeless shelters, including warming and cooling centers. Shelter operations are limited to commercial, business or industrial zones. All shelter facilities must fully comply with existing codes and safety standards.

Housing units built under the legislation would be required to remain affordable for at least 15 years, using U.S. Housing and Urban Development definitions of affordable housing.

The bill passed 90-1.

The two measures now head to the Senate for approval.