KHC Celebrates Opening of Gurney’s Bend in Hazard

FRANKFORT, Kentucky — Kentucky Housing Corporation (KHC) joined Governor Andy Beshear yesterday to dedicate Gurney’s Bend, a 15-home affordable housing subdivision in the Allais section of Hazard, with a gathering and ribbon cutting.

“Look up this road and see what’s possible,” Gov. Beshear said, calling it “the newest neighborhood in all of Kentucky.”

Wendy Smith, KHC’s deputy executive director of housing programs helped commemorate the event alongside partners, including Scott McReynolds, executive director of Housing Development Alliance, which developed the subdivision. KHC allocated more than $1 million in funding for the project.

Residents of Gurney’s Bend looked on from their yards or porches or walked down the street to join the celebration.

“I never had the opportunity to be a homeowner,” said resident Charlie Harald. “I greatly appreciate it.”

Resident Karrie Shockey was asked to say a few words. She thanked the community all the partners for their support.

The final homeowner, Sharon Caudill, will move in next week. She is the only resident of Gurney’s Bend to lose her property in the flooding last July. In order to stay in that home, she said, the property would have needed $95,000 of repairs, money she didn’t have. HDA gave her the opportunity to get out of a flood-prone area and into a safe, affordable home.

“I love it,” Sharon said. “I love it. I do.”

KHC provided just over $366,000 from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund and an additional $700,000 of HOME funds for Gurney’s Bend. HDA finished all 15 homes in just 20 months.