The City of Owensboro is now accepting applications for housing and revitalization grants in the Monarch Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area (NRSA), a five-year redevelopment initiative targeting a large section of the city’s northwest side.
Community Development Director Abby Shelton said the City is ready to move forward after delays caused by the federal government shutdown and the rollout of new grant management software. With that software now in place, Shelton said the city can process applications for both federal programs online.
“We’re rocking and rolling,” Shelton said. “We finally have everything in a good place, and now we’re just trying to get the word out.”
The Monarch NRSA began in July 2025 and will run through 2030. It follows the Riverview NRSA, which spanned five years and resulted in more than 300 projects with over $12.6 million in combined investment. The Monarch NRSA area stretches from Clay Street to the City limits and from Ninth Street to the Ohio River.
Shelton said the purpose of the NRSA is to increase homeownership, promote economic growth, preserve the unique character of the neighborhood, and address housing affordability and community safety.
The City is offering several grant programs depending on the applicant’s situation.
First-time homebuyers may qualify for down payment assistance worth up to 10 percent of the home’s sale price, which can also go toward closing costs. Several Community Catalyst grants are available for demolition, rental rehab, new home construction, or single-family rehab projects. These programs are geared toward developers and property owners who want to invest in and revitalize housing stock in the area.
For current homeowners, exterior-only rehab grants are available based on household income. Shelton said these allow residents to make needed improvements without taking on major financial strain.
“These programs give people the opportunity to maintain their households and do things they might not otherwise be able to afford — things like siding, roofing, landscaping, or fencing,” Shelton said. “It’s also about helping clean up the commercial corridors and giving business owners a chance to freshen up their storefronts, maybe put up new awnings or clean their building’s façade.”
Commercial façade grants are available and include a matching investment requirement. The City is also working with RWRA on a downspout removal program, which does not require applications and will take place throughout the neighborhood automatically.
Shelton said the overarching goal is to support long-term sustainability in the area by encouraging reinvestment from residents and business owners.
Applications for most grants are available through the City’s updated website, owensboro.org. Users can go to the “Departments” tab, select “Community Development,” and find “Grant Programs” listed on the left side. Federal grant programs are managed through the Neighborly Software portal. Community Catalyst grants are handled directly through the City.
Applicants can also visit City Hall for printed applications if they do not have internet access.
“We’re happy to help anyone who wants to apply,” Shelton said. “Once the cold weather breaks, we’ll be putting out yard signs and doing more to let people know what’s available.”
The Monarch NRSA is backed by nearly $3.1 million in federal funding and is expected to generate an additional $3.8 million in private investment. Commissioners have also allocated $500,000 in local funds to support Community Catalyst grants.
