After eastern Kentucky experienced deadly flooding in 2022, Kentucky officials set a goal to provide survivors with recovery housing outside of the floodplain.
A floodplain is a flat area of land adjacent to a body of water that is subject to flooding. Governor Andy Beshear said recovery homes are being built in high-ground communities so survivors’ new homes are not in danger of flooding.
“All these neighborhoods are out of the floodplain. None of them are going to flood. People are going to be safe, and to feel safe. They are going to get that new Kentucky home that can be a forever home, to make good memories with their families,” said Beshear.
Beshear recently announced almost $15 million will be awarded to four businesses for the construction of high-ground rental units in Knott County.
“These awards are $2 million to the Housing Development Alliance to build ten rental units, $3.2 million to Frontier Housing to build 16 rental units, $4 million to Homes, Inc. to build 20 units, $5.6 million to Family Scholar House to build 28 rental units,” said Beshear.
The units will be a mix of single- and multi-bedroom properties to meet the individual needs of each survivor seeking recovery housing.
In Floyd, Letcher, Knott, Perry, and Breathitt counties, eight high-ground communities are being built to provide over 500 homes for survivors.
Survivors in search of recovery housing can fill out an interest form at housingcantwait.org.
The form contains questions about which location the interested party would prefer. Location options include Highland Avenue in Jackson, Chestnut Ridge in Knott County, Skyview in Perry County, and New Hope Estates in Floyd County. Each location is high-ground except Highland Avenue.