SE Kentucky News

U.S. Rep. Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) has secured a $3 million Community Project Funding earmark for the Housing Development Alliance, Inc. (HDA) in the federal Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024. This funding will be utilized to construct new affordable homes for survivors of the devastating flood that hit Eastern Kentucky in July 2022.

Expressing his dedication to aiding flood survivors, Congressman Rogers, Dean of the House, stated, “I have met many of the flood survivors who lost everything they had nearly two years ago. The effort to build new affordable homes for flood survivors has been met with labor and supply shortages, along with a lack of developed land to build new homes on. I was honored to secure $3 million to help the Housing Development Alliance build homes for families and individuals who need them the most. It is my hope that these new affordable, safe homes will help flood survivors move forward with greater peace of mind.”

HDA, situated in Hazard, Kentucky, at the heart of four severely affected counties, will be responsible for constructing homes to be sold at appraised value and financed for homebuyers through forgivable grants and loans. Executive Director Scott McReynolds expressed gratitude for the funding, stating, “We appreciate Congressman Rogers' efforts to secure this funding that will help so many Eastern Kentucky families get into energy-efficient, high quality, and long-lasting homes that will never flood.”

In addition to the $3 million earmarked for housing construction, Congressman Rogers also secured $500,000 for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to conduct a flood mitigation study covering the entire Kentucky River and its watershed, known for persistent flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

Overall, Congressman Rogers secured 15 Community Project Funding earmarks in the FY24 Consolidated Appropriations Act, totaling nearly $86 million, including various other significant victories for Southern and Eastern Kentucky communities. For further details on federal funding and Congressman Rogers' initiatives, visit halrogers.house.gov.