Latest news with #KentuckyHousingCorporation
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Jessamine County defies state trend with fewer unsheltered homeless people
NICHOLASVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) — Leaders at the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition said they are taking the small wins wherever they can get them. The Jessamine County Homeless Coalition posted to Facebook on Sunday to thank the community. The post included data from the Kentucky Housing Corporation, which indicated that unsheltered homelessness in Jessamine County went down by about 33% over the past year, and in Lexington, it's down by around 18%. 13 arrested after protest on Covington bridge turns hostile There was an increase, though, in unsheltered homelessness in Louisville (+6.4%) and in the Balance of State (BoS), which includes rural and non-urban areas (+25%). Statewide, homelessness is reportedly up by 10.7%, while unsheltered homelessness is greater. It saw an increase of 16.4% from 2024 to 2025. Johnny Templin, Executive Director of the Jessamine County Homeless Coalition said, 'You just got to shine a spotlight on what you can, and that's a positive. There's less people that we could find living in unsheltered environments, regardless of the situation here. And we're here for those individuals.' Templin said the reason the numbers are down in his part of the state is a two-fold issue. The first is positive, due to the way the community has stepped up, allowing the shelter to do a lot with a little. Templin said, 'This is all done by the goodness and generosity of our community and the heart of our volunteers putting in.' The second is more negative. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: 1 arrested in Georgetown after law enforcement presence on Maple Street Thousands without power in northern, eastern Kentucky as storms roll in Injury crash on I-75 in Richmond involving 2 semi-trucks leads to partial closure Templin told FOX 56 that it's due to House Bill 5, which criminalizes street camping. The bill was passed last year, and Templin believes it forced many people experiencing homelessness into hiding. 'These individuals are now, where they were closer to a shelter like us, to where they could get resources and stay alive, if you will—they have now scattered to avoid persecution and going to jail for their situation,' Templin said. Despite the challenges, Templin said the fight isn't over, and even small steps forward are worth celebrating. In Jessamine County, those steps are starting to add up. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Solve the daily Crossword
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Owning a home in Kentucky changed my life. I want that for you, too.
Homeownership is deeply personal for me. When I was a child, we lost our house. I vividly remember my mother working tirelessly to secure a stable home for us. The day she closed on our new property is etched in my memory. It wasn't just a financial transaction — it was the realization of a dream. Homeownership became the foundation for my future success. I want to ensure others have the same opportunities. The ability to own a home allows families to focus on education, careers and wealth-building. Unfortunately, this dream is slipping further out of reach for many Americans. In the U.S., we face a housing shortage of more than 4.5 million homes. High mortgage rates and reduced housing inventory have led to skyrocketing prices. In my own state of Kentucky, too many families are priced out of homeownership. In some areas, median home sale prices are now nearly five times median household incomes — up from less than three times 30 years ago. Recent reports from the Kentucky Housing Corporation ('KHC') and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce underscore the urgency of this crisis. KHC identifies a housing shortage driven by high construction costs, restrictive zoning, limited funding and a diminished post-recession builder base. Natural disasters have compounded the problem. Thousands have been displaced, overwhelming the existing local supply. The Kentucky Chamber's 2024 report further frames housing as key to economic growth, calling for reforms in zoning, infrastructure investment, workforce development and tax incentives. Rand Paul: I can't support a bill with the largest debt increase in US history | Opinion While Kentucky has made strides in addressing the housing crisis, achieving lasting progress requires collaboration. Organizations like the Kentucky Chamber, KHC, the Kentucky Bankers Association and Bluegrass Community Bankers Association need to join forces with the public sector. Collaborating with Gov. Andy Beshear and the state legislature is crucial to solving this issue. Here are several strategies implemented in other states for Kentucky to consider: Zoning and permitting reforms: Outdated zoning laws restrict housing supply. By modernizing these regulations and streamlining permits, states like Tennessee, Montana and Florida have sped up construction and increased housing availability. Increasing housing development funding: Expanding programs like the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and creating a state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit can incentivize developers to build homes that working families can afford. States like Indiana have seen success with initiatives such as the Residential Infrastructure Assistance Program, which created a revolving loan fund to support infrastructure improvements necessary for residential development and incentivize pro-building zoning reform. The Kentucky Chamber is currently collaborating with the Kentucky League of Cities, KHC and Home Builders Association to advocate for a similar program. Opinion: Kentucky bourbon raking in money doesn't mean we can ignore alcohol's risks Addressing construction costs: The rising costs of building materials must be tackled by working with suppliers and adopting new technologies that reduce costs without sacrificing quality. Other states, like Texas, have utilized modular construction techniques and prefab homes to reduce building costs and expedite construction. Workforce development: A skilled labor shortage in construction hampers housing development. Investing in workforce training programs can help build the talent necessary for homebuilding projects. Programs like those in Ohio, which have partnered with community colleges to train the next generation of builders and skilled laborers, have proven successful. Fostering private sector innovation: By partnering with private sector innovators using modular homes and 3D printing, Kentucky can explore cost-effective, efficient housing solutions. In places like rural Texas and towns across Oklahoma, these innovative approaches have helped create affordable housing options at a fraction of the typical cost. Kentucky's housing crisis demands decisive, unified action. Public and private sectors must work together to make homeownership attainable across the commonwealth. Just as it changed the trajectory of my own family, stable housing can offer Kentuckians the foundation they need to thrive. With smart investment and shared commitment, we can close the gap and secure a better future for all. Tell us what you think. Submit your letter to the editor. Independent board director and business leader, William 'Bill' Jones, is an inspired idea creator and positive change maker. He is a member of the Kentucky Housing Corporation board and former chairman of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. A former public company CEO and CFO, Bill has been serving on multiple boards in diverse industries, from banking and health care to utilities. This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky homes for sale reveals affordability crisis | Opinion
Yahoo
31-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Historic Lexington Church to undergo renovation, build affordable senior housing
As plaster fell off the ceiling of the 100-year-old building home to Woodland Christian Church in 2020, church leaders knew they needed help keeping the building in one piece. Damaged windows and empty classrooms punctuated the crumbling ceiling. Worship services moved to the basement. Rev. Christy Jo Harber feared the church may have to sell the building it has called home since 1925. She asked Rev. Donald K. Gillett II, the regional minister of the Christian Church Disciples of Christ, 'Can these bones live?' He answered Thursday, that through 'the goodness, the grace and the mercy of God,' life will continue in the halls of the building. In partnership with local developer Winterwood Inc., the church broke ground Thursday on a renovation project that will preserve its historic building and meet a housing need in the community. The church will build 38 affordable housing units for seniors aged 55 and older who make less than 60% of the area's median income -- or $45,720 for a family of two. It also will restore the sanctuary. 'Many churches today face challenges with underutilized buildings and the financial burden of maintaining. We believe our partnership with Winterwood is more than innovative – it's unique,' said church elder Gary Barksdale. 'This project can become a model for other congregations seeking to address the growing need for affordable housing while remaining an active faith community.' Unused classrooms and offices in the back of the church will be converted into eight apartments, and a new building constructed on the grassy lot next door will have 30 apartments. Zach Worsham, vice president of Winterwood, said he expects people to be moving into the units, called The Oaks at Woodland, in the first quarter of 2026. Worsham said it took awhile to finalize the funding for the project, which is estimated to cost $13 million. The developers secured a Low Income Housing Tax Credit and a Historic Preservation Tax Credit for the program. The Low Income Housing Tax Credit is a federal program, but funds are disseminated from the Kentucky Housing Corporation. 'We at (Kentucky Housing Corporation) have been talking a lot lately about the housing supply gap across Kentucky. We need over 200,000 more homes,' said Justin Long, a project specialist with the Kentucky Housing Corporation. 'We need them today. Fayette County is not immune. This region needs over 22,000 units.' They invested $646,000 in tax credits for the apartments. Those tax credits can be sold to investors who then put up equity. WNC associates, an affordable housing real estate firm, purchased the Woodland Church tax credits, and then allocated some to CVS, the drugstore. WNC associates put up $6.9 million in equity for the constriction of the affordable housing units. The city of Lexington allocated $3.2 million of American Rescue Plan Act funds, or coronavirus relief money, to the project, and $1 million from the local affordable housing fund. Mayor Linda Gorton said the construction will meet a pressing need in the city because 25% of Lexington's population is 55 or older. Fundraising is not done yet. Harber asked the community to make donations to improve the renovation efforts of the sanctuary. She said if the church can raise $200,000, the church could purchase equipment to make the building a performing arts venue. 'Lexington has known for many years now that an art filled community is a healthy community – with restored venues like the Lyric and Kentucky theaters offering vibrant expressions of art that heal and strengthen its audience,' she said. 'We believe that if our sanctuary were equipped as a performing arts space, it could further nurture the arts in our beautiful city.' The money raised would help the church buy lighting, audio and video equipment, Harber said.
