Kentucky Association of Health Plans Announces $500,000 Grant to Support Kentuckians Experiencing Homelessness
Partnership with Samaritan will help 500 Medicaid members overcome daily barriers to care and stability
Louisville, Ky. (Nov. 24, 2025) —Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP), the trade association representing Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial insurers in the Commonwealth, announced a $500,000 grant to Samaritan to support 500 Medicaid members in Louisville and Lexington who are experiencing homelessness or unstable housing. The investment reflects a shared commitment to helping Kentuckians facing the highest barriers stay connected to care and move toward stability this holiday season.
Samaritan partners with trusted community organizations to help individuals overcome the small but critical barriers that often derail progress—like a lost phone, a bus fare, or the clothing required for a new job. Through Samaritan’s platform, frontline providers set small, practical goals with their clients (“action steps”) and issue modest $5–$15 rewards that help them follow through. Providers then help Members use funds to address urgent needs in real time, such as transportation, food, and personal hygiene supplies.
Since launching in Louisville in 2022, Samaritan has partnered with Goodwill Kentucky, The Hope Buss, Volunteers of America Mid-States, St. Vincent de Paul, Arthur Street Hotel, and additional organizations serving people navigating homelessness. To date, 331 Kentuckians have used Samaritan to stay connected to care, gather vital documents, access treatment, prepare for employment, and take steps toward housing. Independent evaluations of Samaritan’s model in other states have shown a 21% reduction in emergency-department use and stronger connection to primary care.
“For many Kentuckians, a twenty-dollar barrier can derail an entire care plan,” said Tom Stephens, CEO of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans. “This partnership gives providers the tools to offer help at the exact moment it’s needed. Small supports delivered at the right time can change the course of a life.”
Samaritan’s model centers on momentum and trust. Members receive support directly from the providers who know them best, and they also receive messages of encouragement from peers and community supporters, an added source of motivation during difficult moments. Across Louisville deployments, Members have completed nearly 80% of their action steps, met 300+ urgent needs, and received nearly 8,000 acts of support from the community.
“We offer many services at our location and within our company [Goodwill], however, there are gaps Samaritan helps us to meet needs where we can not,” shared Shaun Israel, Director at Goodwill Kentucky. “I have seen our participants' lives change through working with the Samaritan platform. The encouragement they receive throughout their journey is invaluable.”
With KAHP’s investment, Samaritan will expand its Louisville partnerships and launch new programming in Lexington. Monthly progress updates will track improvements in care engagement, housing progress, and access to essential supports.
About the Kentucky Association of Health Plans
Kentucky Association of Health Plans (KAHP) is the trade association representing Medicaid managed care organizations and commercial insurers in the Commonwealth. KAHP advocates for policies that improve health outcomes, expand coverage options, and strengthen access to high-quality, affordable care for Kentucky families. www.kahp.org
About Samaritan
Samaritan provides community organizations with a platform to deliver small, well-timed financial supports that help people experiencing homelessness follow through on care, navigate housing steps, and meet essential needs. By removing everyday barriers, Samaritan helps Members build momentum toward stability. To support Kentuckians directly, visit samaritan.city/fund to send encouragement and help fund urgent needs identified by local providers.