A new report by a national nonprofit examines challenges facing rural homeowners – including flood victims in eastern Kentucky. Sharon Cornelissen is the director of housing for the Consumer Federation of America. She said much of her research took place in Perry County last October.
“I spoke to two dozen local experts, homeowners, renters, realtors, lenders, and I spoke to people in Hazard and surrounding counties, and I also visited experts and lawmakers in Frankfort and Lexington.”
Cornellisen said eastern Kentuckians face multiple housing challenges, including aging homes and climate-related flooding. Among the study’s suggested solutions: new tax credits for home rehabilitation and preservation and more support from the Federal Housing Authority.
“It's really difficult to get what's called, like, a rehab mortgage, a mortgage that would allow you to both buy the home and put some money into it, right? That would all be financed. So we just need to make it easier for people to get both, you know, the mortgage to buy and to renovate.”
Cornelissen says more state support is also needed and suggested Kentuckians contact their elected representatives in Frankfort and Washington, D.C.
