The Housing Authority of Owensboro (HAO) celebrated a major milestone Wednesday with a ribbon-cutting at Churchill Park Apartments, marking the completion of a $52 million renovation and conversion project that ensures long-term affordability and sustainability for one of the city’s largest housing communities.
The project fully renovated 248 units across 58 buildings at what was formerly known as Rolling Heights, located at 2161 East 19th Street. All units are now part of the Section 8 subsidized housing program following a conversion from public housing that began in 2021 and wrapped up in September 2024. The complex is now operating under the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program.
“This change means public housing will be around for years to come,” said Shauna Boom, Executive Director and CEO of HAO. “Under the public housing model, funding was decreasing, and it limited our ability to maintain and invest in these units. Converting to Section 8 gives us more flexibility, quicker access to funds, and long-term sustainability.”
She added, “Section 8 still means tenants pay approximately 30% of their gross income toward rent, but the big difference is in how the remaining portion is funded and how quickly that funding comes in. That allows us to handle things like roof repairs or electrical upgrades immediately instead of waiting a year. These are cinder block buildings that can last another 100 years if properly maintained.”
Churchill Park now includes 20 fully accessible units — ranging from one to four bedrooms — built specifically for residents with mobility needs. Extensive renovations included updated flooring, paint, kitchen cabinets, plumbing, and new ventilation systems. Old windows in bathrooms were replaced with vent fans, and many buildings were stripped to the studs before being rebuilt.
Boom said the property never closed during the process, and a relocation-on-site plan allowed residents to move between units during construction.
“We strategically left units vacant through attrition so we could rotate residents into renovated units as they became available,” she said.
Originally built in 1954, the site was the third public housing complex constructed in Owensboro. The conversion was part of a long-term effort by HAO to shift all its public housing units into the Section 8 model through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s RAD/Section 18 Blend program.
The Churchill Park project included funding and support from a number of key partners, including TCG Development Advisors, R4 Capital LLC, Aetna, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Piper Sandler & Company, REB Architects, and Clayton Watkins Construction.
Additional improvements included new playgrounds, administrative office renovations, and updates to on-site partner Girls Inc., including the gymnasium used by the organization.
Boom said the complex now houses approximately 601 people and is at full occupancy. HAO is already planning to reinvest proceeds from Churchill Park into five other Section 8 properties across Owensboro, further expanding access to quality, affordable housing.
Candance Brake, President and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the project is a shining example of what can happen when a community invests in its people.
“This is what community is all about,” Brake said. “This project not only provides a safe, modern place to live — it changes lives and strengthens our entire city.”
