Jennifer Jones has been living in her “forever home” for about a week. The house is the latest build through the City of Owensboro’s first-time homebuyers program. Jones said she’s grateful to finally have a place that feels like home after living in an apartment for a few years.
“I was just so excited to finally move in,” Jones said. “It’s just an amazing feeling. You can’t compare this to the place I was at. This is just beautiful in every way, shape, and form.”
The project to build the home began in 2020, but experienced significant delays due to COVID-19. Jones said it was worth the wait.
“I’ve been in an apartment for a few years now,” she said. “When you rent an apartment, they’re not a home. I wanted my forever home. This is my forever home. I don’t ever plan on moving. I’m eternally grateful for all of this.”
City and project officials held a ceremonial ribbon cutting Monday afternoon at the new home on Jackson Street.
The City utilized HOME Investment Partnership program funds through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the project, which was a partnership with the nonprofit Owensboro Area Affordable Housing Solutions.
Project financing included a city loan in addition to funds from the U.S. Department for Housing and Urban Development (HUD) HOME Investment Partnerships Program.
According to City of Owensboro Community Development Director Abby Shelton, 15 percent of the City’s HOME Investment Partnership Program funds must be set aside for a Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO), a special type of nonprofit that focuses on affordable housing. The Housing Authority of Owensboro created the Owensboro Area Affordable Housing Solutions nonprofit to help serve as one of these CHDOs.
Shelton said there are specific requirements that must be met for the homebuyer, such as having not owned a home in the past 3 years, as well as income qualifications. She said the homebuyer also must get their own mortgage.
This new build — a 3-bedroom, 2-bath house with 1,280 square feet and constructed by Paul Martin Builders — is the last of a series of new home construction on Jackson Street. Habitat for Humanity has completed a pair of single-family new builds, while the Owensboro Area Affordable Housing Solutions also completed the single-family new build next door in 2019.
Shelton said they typically build one or two of these houses per year. One house on Elm Street is expected to be completed within the next few weeks, while they have a couple lots in the Northwest area that will be projects for 2023.
