Gov. Andy Beshear on Tuesday announced that $16 million from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund will help provide up to 300 homes in 13 Kentucky counties.
“The exciting new partnerships we are announcing today are really going to help our Western Kentucky families,” Beshear said. “If your home was lost in the devastating tornadoes five months ago, we are creating a real path for replacement through the donations to the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund and the efforts of these nonprofit organizations.”
Working with the Public Protection Cabinet (administrator of the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund), and nonprofit groups Habitat for Humanity, Homes and Hope for Kentucky, and The Fuller Center for Housing, proposals were submitted to help build up to 100 homes each.
Homes can be built in the counties that were eligible for individual and household assistance through the Federal Emergency Management Agency: Caldwell, Christian, Fulton, Graves, Hart, Hickman, Hopkins, Logan, Marshall, Muhlenberg, Ohio, Taylor, and Warren counties.
Habitat for Humanity has agreed to administer $4 million to help with down payment assistance for the mortgage on a home. Habitat hopes to build 10 homes in Bowling Green and 10 in Dawson Springs by the end of 2022. Thirty new homes in Bowling Green and 50 new homes in the Pennryile region are expected to be built by the end of 2023.
“Kentucky Habitat for Humanity is so very humbled by the magnitude of this support and the generosity of people from across the world that chose to support Kentuckians in their time of great need,” said Mary Shearer, executive director of Kentucky Habitat for Humanity. “Many thanks to Gov. Beshear and the Public Protection Cabinet for their support.”
The Fuller Center for Housing has agreed to administer $4 million to help with down payment assistance for mortgages on up to 100 homes. Fuller Center hopes to build 11 homes in Graves County and has indicated its willingness to expand to other counties.
“The Mayfield/Graves Fuller Center for Housing is committed to bringing back Mayfield, restoring families and providing affordable housing to assist those who have been severely impacted by the devastating tornadoes,” said Dave Wright, board chair of the Mayfield-Graves Fuller Center for Housing. “We are very appreciative of the support being provided from the Team Western Kentucky Tornado Relief Fund and look forward to a successful partnership.”
Homes and Hope for Kentucky has agreed to administer $8 million to pay for materials to construct homes. Homes and Hope, partnering with Mennonite Disaster Services and Amish groups in the region, will build and repair homes minus labor costs, and is expected to fund up to 100 homes.
Homes and Hope for Kentucky currently has 15 houses under construction in Graves County.
Hopkins County Judge/Executive Jack Whitfield expressed his appreciation for the organizations, saying, “All the groups that have been helping or are going to help rebuild our communities have been amazing. It is so great to see our state government working with these groups to ensure that our communities not only rebuild, but prosper and grow.”
Impacted families should contact each nonprofit directly to determine which program will best meet their needs. The organizations will collaborate on the review and approval of applicants.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
