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Appalachian Service Project details flood recovery builds, asks Prairie County for volunteer housing in June‑July
Summary
Appalachian Service Project staff told the Prairie County Fiscal Court they have built dozens of zero‑mortgage homes since 2022 and requested a central facility in Perry County to house about 84 volunteers per week from June 8–July 25.
Caroline, an Appalachian Service Project repair-program staffer, and Bridal, who oversees the group’s disaster-recovery and new-build work in Kentucky, updated the Prairie County Fiscal Court on a multi-county housing effort and requested local facility support.
They said the nonprofit began its Kentucky new-build disaster recovery work in 2022 and has completed "zero‑mortgage" homes for disaster-affected families. The presenters described 14 homes placed in a higher-ground community in Floyd County and 26 scatter-site builds on family properties; six homes at Skyview Estates were described as move‑in ready, with additional Skyview construction planned.
Why it matters: presenters said their model gives qualifying disaster‑affected families homes without a mortgage, a structure that also limits eligibility for some state funding. They asked the court to help locate a central, accessible facility (gym or classroom space) in Perry County that could house volunteers and serve as an operations center for June 8–July 25, when the group expects about 84 volunteers on site per week.
"We have about 84 volunteers that come into the county each week," a presenter said, and organizers emphasized that volunteers typically sleep on air mattresses or cots and need basic communal space rather than hotel accommodations.
The presenters described the program’s local economic contributions, saying volunteer labor and related local spending last summer totaled roughly $574,000 in donated labor and purchases in host communities. They also provided a contact for referrals or applications: eastkentucky@dsphome.org.
Court members asked logistical questions about volunteer counts and housing; staff confirmed a four‑person on‑site staff will oversee volunteers and intake. County officials thanked the presenters and said staff would try to identify facilities and coordinate with local schools and providers.
Ending: The court did not vote on a funding commitment during the presentation; presenters closed by thanking the county for infrastructure support at Skyview and encouraging referrals from residents and staff for families still needing assistance.
