Gov. Beshear Announced Sites for 34 Homes in Floyd County for Flood-Impacted Kentuckians

GOVERNOR ANDY BESHEAR visited Floyd County last week to announce funding for acquisition and development of property to build affordable housing for residents displaced by flooding.

By Lilly Adkins

BSN Associate Editor

PRESTONSBURG —Governor Andy Beshear visited Floyd County on Thursday during which he announced $2 million in funding to help Floyd County acquire two vacant lots in Prestonsburg to build 33 new homes and rehabilitate one vacant home.

The homes will be for those directly affected by the 2021 and 2022 flood events that impacted Floyd County, a release from Beshear said.

One site is a 27-acre lot for 20 single-family homes and the other is a 7-acre lot for 14 single-family homes.

The new homes will be located along Cliff Road and Old Cliff Road in Prestonsburg, the release said and they will be out of the flood plain and close to the community services, shopping, education, employment and medical services available in town.

“Housing remains the top priority as we continue rebuilding from the floods,” Beshear said in the release. “We promised to be with Eastern Kentucky until every structure, home and life is rebuilt. We’re keeping that promise, and we’ll be back here soon with more updates on this project.”

“We knew recovering from the floods would take years,” Floyd County Judge Executive Robbie Williams said. “As we approach the one-year anniversary of the floods, we’re here announcing a new housing community in Floyd County. We’re still standing, and we’re building a better future for our people. We thank Beshear and all those who have helped us as we continue to rebuild and recover.”

Prestonsburg Mayor, Les Stapleton said that they celebrated a lot of good news today in Prestonsburg and that they have more good news coming and a lot of reasons to hope.

“We are grateful for these funds and will keep building a better future for our people,” Stapleton said in the release.

Funding for the project comes from the Community Development Block Grant program, the release said and once the property is acquired Beshear will announce funds to help Floyd County with water, sewer, sidewalk and road infrastructure on the lots.

After the infrastructure is installed, the Mountain Housing Corporation will construct 33 new homes and rehabilitate one vacant home, the release said.

Andrew Mortimer