Legislation passed by the Kentucky House of Representatives on Friday included one dealing with creating affordable housing and another on evicting squatters.
House Bill 333, sponsored by Rep. Michael Pollock, R-Campbellsville, would allow faith-based organizations to build up to 24 affordable housing units on their property.
He told his House colleagues that the bill originated after the Sisters of Loretto reached out to him.
“They took a building that was sitting there empty and renovated it into short-term housing. In other words, they took something old and unproductive and turned into a way that can impact people’s lives in a Christ-like way.
“House Bill 333 also permits religious institutions to operate modest homeless shelters, including warming and cooling centers. Shelter operations are limited to commercial, business or industrial zones. All shelter facilities must fully comply with existing codes and safety standards.”
He noted that housing units built under the legislation would be required to remain affordable for at least 15 years, using U.S. Housing and Urban Development definitions of affordable housing.
Pollock’s bottom line: “This can be a real solution in a spiritual way, by showing God’s love in providing help in our communities.”
The bill passed 90-1.
House Bill 50, sponsored by Rep. Emily Callaway, R-Louisville, deals with those occupying buildings without permission of the owner, commonly known as “squatters.”
She told her colleagues that similar legislation passed last year met with universal accolades statewide, except in Jefferson County and from Louisville Metro Police.
“They expressed apprehension, so we addressed their concerns and drafted this bill in response,” Callaway said. “We wanted to be clear that LMPD is covered and included as a consolidated local government. We wanted to ensure proper channels are utilized and that only responding officers would be responsible for the handling of the statement from the property owner.”
HB 50 was approved on a 92-0 vote.
The two measures now head to the Senate.
(Photo: The Loretto Heritage Center, courtesy of Kentucky Tourism)
By Tom Latek, Kentucky Today
