An infusion of federal funding will assist construct a whole bunch of properties in Kentucky communities devastated by tornadoes and floods in 2021, Gov. Andy Beshear mentioned Wednesday.
4 counties hardest hit by the storms – Graves, Warren, Hopkins and Breathitt – will obtain 80% of the greater than $123 million in housing help allotted by the federal Division of Housing and City Improvement, the governor mentioned at a information convention.
The rest shall be unfold amongst 36 different counties additionally impacted by the intense climate.
The funding will assist in the restoration from lethal tornadoes that hit parts of western Kentucky in late 2021 and flooding that swamped elements of japanese Kentucky earlier that yr.
The federal help will go to construct an estimated 600 housing models statewide, together with homes and rental properties, Beshear mentioned.
”These are 600 households that simply this most up-to-date funding will assist guarantee they’ve a roof over their head, that they’re again on their toes,” he mentioned.
The governor was joined by Mayfield Mayor Kathy O’Nan, Jackson Mayor Laura Thomas and Hopkins County Decide-Government Jack Whitfield for the funding announcement.
“Aside from the lack of lives, which may by no means be regained, properties have been our best loss,” mentioned O’Nan, whose city took a direct hit from a twister in December 2021. ”They are often rebuilt, however it takes a whole lot of time. And it takes a whole lot of funding.”
In Hopkins County, additionally laborious hit by the tornadoes that ravaged elements of Kentucky, the funding will ”assist these a lot who might not be capable to in any other case afford a brand new home,” Whitfield mentioned. Thomas mentioned the funding is “desperately wanted” as her japanese Kentucky city continues its restoration from flooding.
Beshear praised Senate Republican chief Mitch McConnell for his work in securing the funding.
“Catastrophe restoration isn’t partisan, by no means needs to be partisan,” the Democratic governor mentioned. ”It needs to be about our folks and the way we transfer ahead.”
Functions for the funding will open Could 1 for native governments, nonprofits and for-profits wanting to make use of the funding to construct again housing, Beshear mentioned.
In the meantime, a follow-up announcement is predicted in coming weeks in response to huge flooding that inundated massive swaths of japanese Kentucky final summer season, the governor mentioned. HUD officers have mentioned practically $300 million will come to Kentucky to help within the restoration from these floods.
High picture: Destruction from the twister in downtown Mayfield in 2021. (AP Photograph/Gerald Herbert, File)
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