House of Ruth opens Red Key Landing apartments in Louisville, expanding affordable housing for residents aging with HIV

A new supportive-housing site opens in Shelby Park

House of Ruth, a Louisville nonprofit serving people affected by HIV/AIDS, has opened a new affordable-housing development designed to reduce practical barriers that can complicate long-term health and stability.

The project, known as Red Key Landing, is a 40-unit apartment community in the Shelby Park neighborhood on East St. Catherine Street. The development is intended for people aging with HIV, a population that can face overlapping challenges related to housing access, health management, and fixed or limited incomes.

Project timeline, cost, and scope

Construction on Red Key Landing began about 17 months ago after a groundbreaking event held on October 14, 2024. The organization has described the effort as its largest housing project. The most recent reported project cost is $1.3 million.

In addition to the new complex, House of Ruth operates 17 scattered-site housing units for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS and works in partnership with Louisville Metro Government.

What “removing barriers” means in daily life

For residents living with HIV, day-to-day stability can depend on consistent routines: keeping medical appointments, managing medications, and maintaining access to basic needs. Housing instability can disrupt all of these, adding pressure to health management.

Red Key Landing is aimed at reducing that disruption by offering stable, affordable apartments under a model intended for residents who may be navigating aging-related needs alongside HIV care.

“But they have taught me that they’re there. And you don’t have to go through this alone,” said Michael Tress, who said he was diagnosed in 2003 and is now a resident at Red Key Landing.

Demand for housing and related services

During the 2024 groundbreaking, House of Ruth leadership said the organization maintained a waiting list for housing that could grow during colder months, indicating demand beyond existing capacity. The Red Key Landing development is expected to expand options, though it was not presented as a complete solution to the full level of need.

House of Ruth reports serving about 650 people each year through a combination of services. Those services include housing support as well as financial assistance and access to food pantries.

Key facts at a glance

• Location: East St. Catherine Street, Shelby Park neighborhood, Louisville
• Development: Red Key Landing, 40 affordable units
• Purpose: Housing designed for people aging with HIV
• Construction start: October 14, 2024; roughly 17 months before the March 11, 2026 opening report
• Reported project cost: $1.3 million
• Additional housing: 17 scattered-site units also operated by House of Ruth