LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Metro Council approved the plan for $182 million in federal funding Thursday night.
This second round of American Rescue Plan funds includes $42 million for public safety, $89 million for homelessness and affordable housing, and more than $28 million for premium pay for essential employees.
Nearly half of the funding will be used for implementing the public safety reforms recommended by Hillard Heintze and the Department of Justice. The main areas of focus will be accountability and community engagement, with the goal of "constitutional and effective policing."
Mayor Fischer said the city wants to use a "good amount" of the funding to reduce the number of people experiencing homelessness in the city. Nearly $80 million will be used to create and support affordable and client-centered housing.
Through the proposal, certain public safety and essential employees will be eligible for increased pay and bonuses. Fischer said these employees are ones that met critical needs during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The highest payments will go to people working in Metro Corrections, fire, LMPD, EMS and sanitization - those Fischer said were "face-to-face on the front line."
There is still about $160 million in funds left to be distributed.
On Twitter, Mayor Greg Fischer thanked the council for approving the plan and said he will continue to work with them to develop the third round of ARP funding.
The next ordinance, focused on addressing workforce development and healthy neighborhoods, will likely be proposed in January or February.
The first round of ARP funding was used in June to meet COVID-related emergency needs like public health and eviction prevention.
All ARP funding must be spent by Dec. 31, 2026.
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