In 2021, more than 70 cities and counties in Kentucky made local disaster declarations due to flooding. Thousands of houses were destroyed by high waters in 2022. Earlier this year, floods impacted hundreds of homes. Officials estimate it could cost up to $950 million to rebuild all the homes that have been lost in natural disasters since 2021.
Governor Andy Beshear recently announced the federal Emergency Watershed Program has granted Kentucky over $100 million to buy property from homeowners living in floodplains.
“No Kentuckian should have to stay in a flood-prone area just because it’s too expensive to move or they can’t find a buyer. So, we’ve been working to make sure people are safe, and that they can afford that new Kentucky home,” said Beshear.
The federal funding comes with a cost-share requirement that would require each county being granted funding to contribute almost $2 million. Kentucky’s state government is using $12 million through the Local Match Participation Program to take this financial responsibility from local governments.
Homeowners living in Floyd, Knott, Letcher, McLean, Perry, and Pike counties can decide to sell their property to the government. Anyone who chooses to participate in the program will receive fair market price for their house and be given reimbursement for some relocation costs.
Those who choose to participate can apply to live in recovery housing.
Eight high-ground communities that will eventually house around 800 eastern Kentuckians are being built in Knott, Perry, Floyd, Breathitt, and Letcher counties.
“We’re looking at an opportunity for people to live in a place that’s never going to flood, that they never have to worry when it rains. They can be part of a brand new community with the newest water, sewer, broadband, and other utilities. We are moving people out of danger to safety and we’re working to address affordable housing in eastern Kentucky all at the same time,” said Beshear.
Homeowners living in the participating counties who are interested in receiving federal funds for their property can fill out an interest form at housingcantwait.org. The recovery housing interest form can be found on the same website.