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Campbell County approves CDBG-backed homeownership project to build seven homes in Newport
Summary
The Campbell County Fiscal Court adopted a package of CDBG resolutions and a grant agreement to support a 2023 homeownership development project in Newport that will create seven owner-occupied homes (two rehabilitations, five new builds) and provide down-payment assistance.
The Campbell County Fiscal Court on Aug. 7 adopted a set of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) resolutions and authorized the county to execute a grant agreement with the Commonwealth for a homeownership project in Newport that will create seven owner-occupied homes.
Finance director Laura introduced the CDBG package and the court unanimously adopted resolutions R64-24 (a residential anti-displacement and relocation assistance plan) and R65-24 (a procurement code) as part of the county’s application and administrative framework for the 2023 Campbell County homeownership development project. The court also approved R66-24 (acknowledging state clearinghouse comments), R67-24 (committing the county to cover cost overruns), R68-24 (authorizing Judge Executive Steve Pendry to sign a development agreement with Newport Millennium Housing Corporation 3), R69-24 (a fair housing resolution) and R70-24 (a Section 3 plan).
County staff member Dennis described the project’s scope: “There are a total of 7 homes that will be developed,” two of which are rehabilitation projects at 49 Nineteenth Street and 1112 Ann Street in Newport, and five new-construction homes at 417 West Ninth, 319 West Eighth, 320 West Eighth, 3204 West Eighth and 708–710 Columbia. Dennis said the CDBG funds will go toward development costs and that proceeds from sales, combined with the CDBG award, are intended to make the full development possible. “Whatever money is left over goes into a revolving fund,” he added, to support future acquisitions.
Dennis also described buyer requirements and affordability supports. Buyers must be owner-occupants able to secure a first mortgage and must complete a homeownership training program operated by Brighton Center. He said a $20,000 soft-second mortgage will provide down-payment assistance; that assistance is structured to be forgiven if the buyer remains in the home for 10 years.
Dennis said plans and specifications for the five new homes are complete and that the State Heritage Council has approved the plans for all seven properties. The next step, he said, is an environmental review that the county expects to advertise later in the month to allow public comment, after which the state will release funds on a draw schedule.
Judge Executive Steve Pendry was authorized to execute the development agreement with Newport Millennium Housing Corporation 3, and the court voted to execute Grant Agreement 23052 with the Kentucky Department for Local Government to secure the CDBG funding. All related motions were moved, seconded and carried by voice vote.
The resolutions and grant agreement create the administrative framework and revenue path for the project; the timeline Dennis described makes public review (the environmental review) the next procedural step. The county did not provide exact total grant dollars in the meeting record; specific award amounts and the date the state will disburse funds were not specified in the discussion.
What’s next: the county plans an environmental review and public comment period before funds are released and construction proceeds.
