Kentucky Habitat for Humanity is launching a three-year initiative aimed at accelerating construction of affordable housing. Habitat is joining about 50 non-profit housing providers. The formal announcement of the 2020 Housing Vision project came Monday at the state capitol.
Governor Matt Bevin says the Commonwealth’s homelessness problem is troubling. “Kentucky has more homeless students per capita than any state in America. What a tragic and terrible statistic to lead the nation in. This is why this matters. Every single bit of it matters,” said Bevin.
2020 Housing Vision Director Mindy Shannon Phelps says while the focus is on affordable housing it’s also important to build compassion for the homeless. She says a specific goal for new home construction should be established later this year. “We want to accelerate construction as much as we possibly can, whether that’s doubling it, tripling it, quadrupling it, or more. We don’t know today. But, we will know this year,” noted Shannon Phelps.
Shannon Phelps says results from a housing needs assessment are expected to be released in May or June. The habitat leader says non-traditional methods of housing construction, such as the use of cargo containers and establishing so called tiny home communities are also being explored.
© 2018 WEKU
