KNOTT COUNTY, Ky. — For many in eastern Kentucky, relocating to an area outside of a flood zone just isn’t possible without assistance. Last year’s floods also impacted some of the poorest areas in the state. In the flood’s aftermath, organizations with deep ties to the region have stepped up to build homes for flood victims.
Housing Development Alliance, a longstanding pillar of affordable housing in eastern Kentucky, is doing just that. The organization’s efforts are helping survivors like Alvin Sizemore, who lost everything when his home was destroyed.
“It’s been hell,” Alvin said about the last year, describing the challenges he faced since last August, such as a lack of permanent housing. However, that struggle is about to change with the nearing completion of a two-bedroom, one-bath home for Sizemore and his wife.
“Oh, this is a nice place. They’ve done a real good job on this,” Sizemore said.
Mindy Miller, development and communications director for Housing Development Alliance, says Sizemore’s home is the 11th her organization has built this year. The goal is to build 20 by the end of 2023.
Since the flood, the alliance has scaled up its operations and has hired locals to help with construction. The assistance given to survivors is happening on top of the decades-long work of helping low-income families in the area find affordable housing.
“You know, the more that we can offer great things for our community and can continue to build homes and make new homeowners, new taxpayers, new customers for local businesses, the better that we are doing for our community and hopefully keep people here for a long time,” Miller said.
The financial burden for clients is kept manageable, with affordable financing that keeps monthly payments low.
“His payment will be under $200. It’ll be probably around $195 a month,” Miller said.
Sizemore’s home is also being built far above a nearby creek in an area that won’t flood.
“This is a dream come true,” Sizemore said. “These people never gave up on me.”
Other organizations in the region have also stepped up like HOMES, Inc in Letcher County. So far, HOMES, Inc has completed 13 homes outside of flood zones, and has a goal of reaching 24 by the end of the year. However, their biggest challenge remains finding suitable land for construction.