LEXINGTON, Ky. — A group rallied in Lexington Monday, calling for an extended hold on evictions in Kentucky due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lexington Housing Justice Collective says it's demanding city leaders in Fayette County stop mass evictions. The group also wants Gov. Andy Beshear (D) to cancel rent and mortgages across the state.

"We're here to ensure that both people who are inside getting evicted know that they are not alone in our community,” said rally organizer Justice Walker.

Walker says her group is advocating on behalf of at least 150 people who they say are scheduled to face an eviction hearing in the coming week. The group is providing various informational resources and connecting those facing evictions with lawyers. 

“We are not just two or three people who are angry about this. We are the tip of the iceberg of people who are tired of their rent going up every single month or every single year, and they renew their lease,” added Walker.

Lexington Housing Justice Collective also has three demands of Lexington’s Mayor and city council: 

• Fully fund the Affordable Housing Fund to end homelessness and build social housing;
• Enact just rental assistance; and
• Ban sweeps of homeless encampments.

Stephen Marshall is an attorney and represents landlords across Lexington. He says on Monday, he had 16 eviction cases, and 12 were dismissed because the tenants and landlords were able to work out a resolution; however, he says that’s not always the case.

“Everyone needs to understand the other side's perspective here, banks aren't forgiving mortgage payments landlords still have to make those payments and if they're not getting income from their tenants, those payments are really hard to make and so if they lose their housing. That's less housing for everyone,” explained Marshall.

The Lexington Housing Justice Collective plans to hold another Anti-Eviction Rally outside the Robert F. Stevens Courthouse in downtown Lexington on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.