On Monday, Governor Andy Beshear announced that, through a partnership between the Kentucky Housing Corporation and the Department of Local Government, over 900 units will be constructed to address the rental housing shortage in the counties most severely affected by the December 2021 tornadoes.
The Governor stated that this is the largest housing initiative in the history of the two agencies, with an investment of $223 million to construct 953 affordable rental housing units in Graves, Hopkins, Christian, and Warren counties.
click to download audioWinston Miller, Executive Director of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, expressed the agency’s excitement about partnering with the Department of Local Government for this “historic funding announcement” for several reasons.
click to download audioMiller emphasized that to sustain Kentucky’s economic job growth, more housing units need to be constructed. He noted that the announcement of 953 rental housing units is a crucial step toward closing the supply gap that exists in western Kentucky.
He also expressed gratitude to the Department of Local Government for aligning its disaster recovery funding with the resources provided by the Kentucky Housing Corporation, making this historic announcement possible.
The Governor stated that the nearly 90 units being constructed in Dawson Springs would play a crucial role in preserving the town.
click to download audioGov. Beshear said that these projects will not only help in rebuilding but also help to continue the economic momentum. He emphasized that Kentucky is not merely recovering from the tornadoes; the state is building stronger communities that will thrive for generations to come.
He said construction on the rental units should begin next spring.
