Pike County allocates $75,000 from Act 137 fund to support Habitat for Humanity

Pike County commissioners on Dec. 3 said they will allocate $75,000 from the Act 137 fund — the county’s recording-of-documents fund for housing purposes — to support Habitat for Humanity’s local projects.

At the meeting an unidentified speaker noted the organization is "on to their 38 house," with a final inspection scheduled the same morning, and encouraged residents to donate buildable lots. The speaker said the Act 137 contribution is an appropriate use of the fund to help address the county’s ongoing housing shortage.

Commissioners and members of the public described housing pressures tied to the county’s tourism-driven job market and a shortage of central sewer infrastructure that limits larger multiunit development. "These type of housing units help their individuals that are working there find affordable housing," an unidentified speaker said, referencing hospitality employers.

The meeting record shows commissioners also discussed that lot prices have risen (a cited range of roughly $15,000–$18,000 for some lots) and that the first 25 Habitat lots were donated. No additional contractual details for the county contribution were provided at the meeting; staff follow-up was implied when the payment was approved.

The commissioners approved multiple routine financial motions at the same meeting, including the Act 137 allocation referenced here. The county did not discuss a detailed timetable for further Habitat support during the session.