Interest form connects survivors with Fahe Disaster Resilience Team; Governor also visits Skyview high-ground site to view progress
HAZARD, Ky. (Jan. 3, 2025) – Today, Gov. Andy Beshear encouraged Eastern Kentucky flood survivors to apply for recovery housing support through a newly launched online form at HousingCantWait.Org.
Gov. Beshear was joined by local leaders and Fahe representatives at the Housing Development Alliance in Hazard to make the announcement. The Governor also viewed the progress being made at the Skyview community in Perry County, one of seven high-ground sites under development or completed for flood survivors to make their New Kentucky Home.
“We are committed to helping flood survivors find their New Kentucky Home, and now, through the launch of Fahe’s intake form, the process is much easier and more help is available,” said Gov. Beshear. “If you or someone you know was affected by the 2021 or 2022 floods, please visit this site and see if you are eligible for housing support. Together, we are making progress for our families in Eastern Kentucky.”
Flood survivors interested in receiving housing support can now visit HousingCantWait.org to complete the easy-to-use interest form, which collects basic information on each applicant and their needs. Once the provided information is reviewed, a Fahe Disaster Resilience Team member will reach out and help determine available options for individual housing needs. Fahe’s goal is to help every survivor in need, with support made available through the federal government’s Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery grant program, as well as other funding sources.
“We are excited to support survivors in meeting their unique housing needs, whether at Skyview or other high-ground housing communities in Eastern Kentucky,” said Pam Johnson, senior vice president of partnerships and programs at Fahe. “Working hand in hand with Team Kentucky, the Department of Local Government and local governments, we are committed to creating new housing opportunities for our Eastern Kentucky neighbors. Join us in this effort by visiting HousingCantWait.org and filling out the interest form today. Together, we can build a brighter future.”
The Housing Can’t Wait coalition of nonprofit builders and Fahe has completed 393 homes since the 2021 and 2022 floods, including 88 new homes and 305 rehabs. Additionally, the organization, along with nonprofit builders such as HOMES Inc., the Housing Development Alliance, Appalachia Service Project and Partnership Housing, is seeing through Gov. Beshear’s mission of seven high-ground communities for flood survivors.
The sites include: The Cottages at Thompson Branch in Letcher County; New Hope Estates in Floyd County; Wayland in Floyd County; Chestnut Ridge in Knott County; Grand View in Letcher County; Olive Branch in Knott County and Skyview in Perry County.
In addition to the seven high-ground communities, Gov. Beshear also dedicated $8.3 million toward the development of two housing sites for flood survivors in Breathitt County, which will help build eight homes along Highland Avenue and 20 homes along Kentucky Highway 30.
Gov. Beshear traveled to the nearby Skyview community today following the event at Housing Development Alliance to view progress on the 50-acre site, which will have nearly 100 new, single-family homes for flood survivors. The land was generously donated by the Ison family. Model homes for the community will begin construction in the coming months. This community boast additional acreage that could be further developed.
“We are making incredible progress as we build new homes for survivors at these high-ground sites, which is why it’s so important folks visit HousingCantWait.org and apply for housing support with the help of the Fahe team,” the Governor said.
The Governor was joined by Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander and Hazard Mayor Donald “Happy” Mobelini, both of which expressed their gratitude to the Governor and Team Kentucky for their dedication to Eastern Kentucky.
Perry County Judge/Executive Scott Alexander said, “We are so pleased with the progress being made in Eastern Kentucky by the Governor and Team Kentucky. This is another great milestone for the families affected by the floods.”
“Gov. Beshear is a man of his word – he’s done everything he said he would for Eastern Kentucky and more,” said Hazard Mayor Donald “Happy” Mobelini. “When we had the floods, he said he wouldn’t leave us, and he hasn’t. This is just another example of the Governor pushing forward these higher-ground communities for flood survivors.”
Also in attendance were Wendell and Glenna Bryant, who lost their home in the 2022 floods. The Bryant’s and their four children are now living in their new home on higher ground, built by the Housing Development Alliance, Inc. with the help of Team Kentucky.
Glenna Bryant shared, “Wendell and I are very grateful for all the help we’ve received from Team Kentucky. Without the funding, we would be in a tremendous amount of debt because we had to start all over from finding a new home to buying a vehicle for work. We’re very happy to see the funding help other families who were affected by the flooding. Our family is Kentucky proud and will be forever grateful for all the help we have received.”