Fulton, KY – August 12, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Gov. Steve Beshear today presented the city of Fulton with a $1 million Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) for a scattered site housing rehabilitation project targeting low income, disabled, and elderly homeowners within the city limits.Fulton will use the grant to address at least 13 houses that have been inspected and determined to be beyond repair, requiring demolition and reconstruction. The dilapidated units will be rebuilt on their existing properties and temporary housing will be provided for the residents during the rehabilitation process.
“I strongly believe that safe, sanitary housing is a basic right to which all Kentuckians are entitled,” said Gov. Beshear. “This grant will help improve the quality of life for some of Fulton’s most vulnerable citizens while improving the appearance of the city and community as a whole.”
The rehabilitation project will address multiple safety and health hazards such as unsound foundations, dangerous outdated electrical wiring and fuse boxes, structural damage, inadequate heat and/or air conditioning, lack of running water or hot water, no insulation and leaky roofs.
“I would like to express our appreciation to Gov. Beshear and the Department for Local Government for their support of the City of Fulton and our efforts to revitalize our hometown,” said Fulton Mayor Dan Voegeli. “As this grant helps us serve those with some of the greatest needs in our community, we hope it will also inspire other residents to get involved in improving the overall appearance of their neighborhoods.”
After advertising the project, the city received 37 applicants. Selected structures were prioritized based upon household income, need for repair, elderly or disabled homeowners and the presence of children in the home. New construction will incorporate energy efficient and green building standards. All houses occupied by disabled individuals will be made handicap accessible.
Recipients of this housing revitalization project will receive housing counseling through the Purchase Area Housing Corporation on topics to include creating a household budget; home maintenance; operation of home systems; and home insurance and tax requirements.
“We expect these counseling requirements will help instill a greater pride of ownership for the recipients and will improving and maintaining the overall appearance of residential neighborhoods in our city,” said Mayor Voegeli.
Kentucky’s U. S. Congressional leaders’ continued support of the CDBG program has made the funding available nationally as well as within the Commonwealth. The state’s CDBG program is administered by the Department for Local Government (DLG) and funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
Also while in Fulton County, the Governor presented the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department with a Law Enforcement Protection Program (LEPP) grant for $4,732 to purchase two patrol rifles with tactical sights and six handguns.
Under the LEPP, administered by the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security (KOHS), eligible agencies can seek financial help for specific defensive items essential in the course of their duties.
“Appeals for financial support always exceed resources,” Thomas L. Preston, KOHS executive director, explained, “but we make every effort to respond with a priority focus on law enforcement safety.”
In conjunction with the Kentucky State Police, KOHS derives income from sales of confiscated weapons. KSP conducts periodic auctions – only to federally licensed firearms dealers – which generate dollars for the LEPP initiative. The KOHS then assesses and prioritizes needs and distributes funds for the acquisition of body armor, weapons, ammunition and electronic or muscular disruption technical devices often referred to as “tasers.”
Contact: Cindy Lanham 502-573-2382
