New apartment building addresses homelessness for single parents in Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — A new housing project in Louisville is offering hope and stability to single parents and their children who have faced homelessness.

A former motel on Dixie Highway has been transformed into an apartment complex, providing a fresh start for families in need.

The project, spearheaded by New Life Directions Ministries, provides 20 affordable apartments alongside a state-of-the-art training center and child development services.

The goal: to support single parents who are at risk of or have experienced homelessness.

Freda Robinson-Sheard, who once faced homelessness herself as a young single mother, now works as a case manager at the new facility.

"I didn’t know what it was like to pay all the bills and how to maintain a home," Robinson-Sheard said. "I was working, but I just didn’t know how to manage everything."

Kendrea Young, also a case manager and a former client of New Life Directions, shared her experience of living in fear of eviction.

"When you're a parent, it's your first time. You don’t really know what to do," Young said. "It's emotional because everyone's story is different."

The apartments, which offer one-, two-, and three-bedroom units, are more than just a place to live—they're part of a larger mission to help single parents build better futures.

The complex includes a training center where families can access life skills education, financial management assistance, job training, and help with childcare.

"Some of our families have lived in cars or on benches," said Ashley Campbell, a board member of New Life Directions Ministries. "We help them transition from crisis mode to stability."

The new facility, built with American Rescue Plan funds, will provide not only housing but also guidance and resources for parents to break the cycle of poverty and homelessness.

Families can stay in the complex for up to two years, receiving support every step of the way.

The grand opening of the facility will take place on March 29, 2025, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony at noon.

The complex is one of seven projects funded by the Louisville Metro Housing and Community Development office under the American Rescue Plan.

Residents of the facility are hopeful that the training and resources offered will help them secure a better future.

"It just makes me happy to know that families will be able to have affordable housing and support," Robinson-Sheard said.

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