LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Geraldine Ealy has lived in the California neighborhood of Louisville for about 40 years.
She said she loves it, and she said she loves the new Alberta O. Jones Park that recently opened down the street.
“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s beautiful down there. This is what we needed for many a year. It’s something to bring us all together and kids have places to play.”
Now, the nonprofit New Directions Housing Corporation is partnering with the City of Louisville to provide free home repairs for low-to-moderate income homeowners who live around the park.
“It’s really important because as neighborhoods go through revitalization, often times those legacy low-income homeowners become victims of speculation and displacement and we don’t want to see that, so these programs help make sure that they can stay in their homes and that they’re a part of the revitalization process and they’re not a victim of the revitalization process,” said Max Monahan, director of home repair for New Directions Housing Corporation.
The nonprofit previously helped Ealy by putting in a stall shower for free. She said she was interested in applying for the new funding to lower her steps and possibly have work done on her porch.
“Most of the people that live [here] are older people and they have put all their lives … all their savings and everything to their houses,” she said. “Nobody wants to get up and move at our age. I know I don’t.”
She said she appreciates the program and hopes it can help others.
To be eligible, applicants must own and live in the home and make less than 80% of the area median income. Call 502-719-7153 to request an application.