Donated Knott County land will be site of new housing community for Eastern KY flood victims
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Housing a key issue after Eastern KY floods
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The state government secured 75 acres in Knott County where a new high-ground community can be built to provide housing for residents displaced by the summer’s deadly floods, Gov. Andy Beshear announced at a press conference Tuesday.
The initial building site is in the community of Talcum, near the Perry County line, Beshear said. The plot of land, which can be expanded up to 300 acres, is being conveyed to the state by private owners, Shawn and Tammy Adams. Construction is slated to begin in early 2023.
The new community will be called Olive Branch, and plans include spaces for home lots of various sizes, senior apartments, a park and potentially an elementary school, Beshear said at the Knott County courthouse, flanked by numerous state and local officials.
“It provides the opportunity for future economic investments and growth, not just in one community, but in multiple areas that were hit by that flood,” Beshear said.
Tuesday’s announced community is the first of multiple potential future sites throughout Breathitt, Knott, Letcher and Perry counties — which suffered about 75% of home losses in the flood — where the state is hoping to plant new communities.
In the July flooding, 43 people died. Many of the most devastated communities were built along the streams and rivers that carve up the region’s distinctive narrow valleys.
“I really appreciate the commitment to continue to stand with us,” said Jeff Dobson, the Knott County judge-executive. “To get our communities built back stronger, get our people back what they so much deserved.”
Beshear told reporters after the announcement that the state will be rolling out details on the selection process for future residents at a later date.
“It’s likely going to be a couple of different systems because, for instance, (Habitat for Humanity) is building, they have a certain system that you have to work through,” Beshear said. “FEMA will be building for folks that qualify for their FEMA direct housing. So we’re going to roll it out in one kind of comprehensive way to where people can know the different methods on how they apply, and where they apply.”
Beshear said he “believed” that the land where the community will be built was previously mined land.
Some previous building projects across Eastern Kentucky built on reclaimed mine land have suffered damage as the land beneath the building has settled. Vector Engineering has started a geo-technical survey of the Olive Branch site, Beshear said.
“We believe this is one of the most stable pieces of land that is out there,” Beshear said.
Funding for the infrastructure projects will come from multiple sources including the Eastern Kentucky SAFE funds, federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars and state transportation funds. The projects include an improved water treatment facility and roads.
The project will require some utility work to get going. Of the various parcels of land that the state is evaluating for future sites, some will require less utility work.
“Some are larger but don’t have as much utility, some are smaller, and may have some,” Beshear said of the land. “This is one of our largest pieces, but it will require probably the most significant utility work, but it’s already necessary. This will help Hazard and how taxed their water system is.”
In addition to the announced new community, Beshear said the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund will commit $600,000 toward building eight new homes in conjunction with the Housing Development Alliance and Homes, Inc.
The flood relief fund and the Eckstein Foundation are contributing matching funds totaling $800,000 to provide repairs for 80 homes damaged by the floods.
This story was originally published December 20, 2022 at 3:56 PM.
