Housing Development Alliance

09/04/2026

Here’s a cute little story for you as we get ready to head off into Labor Day weekend: our Rehab Construction Manager (and longtime carpenter) Mark Cody paid a visit to a local kindergarten class yesterday for Career Day. Mark talked to the kids about his job and how you can really make a difference in the community and in people’s lives by learning how to build or repair something.

He also brought along some carpenter aprons for the kids to keep - and they even got to draw on them to give them a little personality! 😉 We know Mark made this a fun experience for the kids - and it’s just one more way our staff gives back and works to make an impact in our mountain home.

Thank you for doing this, Mark, and thank you to the school and these kindergartners for letting us share some photos!

09/04/2026

We know this means so much to our fearless leader! This evening, HDA Executive Director Scott McReynolds was awarded Man of the Year at the Hazard Perry County Chamber of Commerce Civic Night. This award, like all of the others handed out on this special night, is given to a community leader who works for the betterment of their community as a whole. Truly, this award could not have been given to a more deserving person!

When Scott began his journey as HDA’s Executive Director, he was its first and only employee. That was in 1994. Today, thanks to his selfless service, HDA has grown from a staff of 1 to a staff of over 60 (!) - and nearly half of those employees were present tonight to see him receive this honor from the greater community.

Under Scott’s leadership HDA has:
🏠 Built & sold 440 new affordable homes to low-income Eastern Kentuckians
🛠️ Completed 1,132 home repairs & rehabilitations for low-income homeowners
💰 Invested well over $100 million in the local economy
🔑 Developed 40 affordable rental units
💼 Supported over 80 local jobs each year, and
🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒 Served over 3,000 people

Thank you, Scott, for your humble leadership and for all you’ve done to make our Appalachian Kentucky community a better place to live, work, and dream about the future!

We also congratulate HDA Board of Directors treasurer Ricky Campbell on being awarded Young Man of the Year 👏🏆

09/03/2026

How to Apply for a Home at Chestnut Ridge or Skyview! 🏡

We've had lots of questions about how to apply for our high-ground homes - whether you're dreaming of homeownership or looking for a quality rental - so here's everything you need to know! To get started, all applications go through our partner, Fahe:

📞 Phone: 859-986-2321, option 3
📧 Email: [email protected]
📝 Interest Form: housingcantwait.org/interest-form

A quick note on the interest form: if you're not a flood survivor or flood-impacted, simply leave that section blank.

Prefer to talk in person? Representatives from Fahe are available every Monday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Knott County Sportsplex (450 Kenny Champion Loop) to answer your questions and help with housing applications. 🤝

One more thing: we've just broken ground on new single-family rental homes at Chestnut Ridge! 🔨 These homes aren't built yet, but as soon as they're ready, you'll be the first to know. In the meantime, you're always welcome to contact Fahe about becoming a homeowner or renter at Chestnut Ridge.

Note that we currently do NOT have rentals planned for development at Skyview. If that changes, we'll post it here on our Facebook.

We can't wait to help more families find their way home! 💚

09/03/2026

Quick Update from Skyview Estates! ☀️

The heat was no joke out there today, but our crews kept right on going - because good things are taking shape at Skyview! We're deep into the finishing touches on these homes, and they're coming together beautifully.

Here's something we're especially excited about: soon, every one of these homes will have solar panels installed. ⚡ The average monthly electric bill for residential customers in the Eastern Kentucky counties we serve is approximately $196.37. https://findenergy.com/providers/kentucky-power/

Of course, exact figures vary by household and utility, but an energy-efficient home with solar can save a family roughly $100 or more each month - money that stays right in their pockets! On a hot day like today, that kind of savings means a family can keep cool without the worry.

More updates coming soon - stay tuned! 💚

09/03/2026

Update from Chestnut Ridge! 🌄

It was a scorcher out there today, but our crews don't let a little heat slow them down - they're used to working in all kinds of weather conditions to build homes for our community.

We're excited to share that we're currently framing & finishing 10 new homes on the site! And that's not all: we've also broken ground on new single-family rental homes. In total, HDA will build 10 rental homes on this section of Chestnut Ridge - part of our ongoing effort to address the shortage of quality rentals here in Eastern Kentucky.

We'll share more details on all of these homes - both the rentals and new homes available through our Homeownership Program - as construction progresses, so stay tuned!

We're also incredibly proud that this project creates work for our local subcontractors, who are playing an instrumental role in making Chestnut Ridge a reality. 🔨 Their skill and dedication help us build not just homes, but a stronger local economy.

Here's to the hardworking hands making it all happen! 🙌

09/03/2026

09/02/2026

FYI

09/01/2026

🎉 Congratulations to Marie Combs, Skyview Estates' Newest Homeowner! 🎉

Today we're overjoyed to welcome Marie Combs and her family home to Skyview Estates! 💚

Marie knows all too well the heartache of losing a home to disaster. Her former home in Hazard was flood-impacted not once, but twice - in both 2022 and 2025. Tired of the worry and ready for peace of mind, Marie made the brave decision to seek higher ground for her family. 🌄

Now, she and her two daughters are settling into a beautiful new 4-bedroom, 2-bathroom home - and for the very first time, both of her girls will have bedrooms of their very own! 🛏️✨ We can only imagine the joy and relief of finally having a safe, secure place to call home.

Plus, this house has solar panels, which makes it even more energy efficient and will save this family money each month on utility costs!

This home was made possible primarily through CDBG-DR (Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery) funds, and we're especially proud to share that it marks HDA's 440th new home completed and sold! 🏡🔨 Every single one represents a family, a fresh start, and a brighter future here in Eastern Kentucky.

Welcome home, Marie! May your new house be filled with safety, laughter, and countless happy memories. We're so honored to have played a part in your journey. 💚

09/01/2026

Remembering Wendell Berry (1934–2026):

This week, Kentucky said goodbye to one of its greatest voices. Wendell Berry - the farmer, poet, and essayist from Henry County - passed away Monday at his home in Port Royal at the age of 92.

Though Berry farmed the land along the Kentucky River rather than here in the mountains, his life's work spoke directly to what we believe at HDA: that people deserve to stay rooted in the places they love, that community is built one neighbor at a time, and that caring for a home means caring for the land and people around it.

He once wrote:

"And we pray, not / for new earth or heaven, but to be / quiet in heart, and in eye, / clear. What we need is here." - Wendell Berry, "What We Need Is Here"

Every home we build, repair, and preserve here in Eastern Kentucky is rooted in that same belief - that what we need is here, and that home is worth staying for.

We're grateful for a Kentuckian who spent his life reminding us that home is worth caring for. 🌱

Rest well, Mr. Berry.

By Sarah Ladd Kentucky Lantern Kentucky writer and conservationist Wendell Berry once wrote: “Beware the machinery of longevity. When a man’s life is over the decent thing is for him to die.

08/31/2026

🎂 Happy Birthday to our Executive Director, Scott McReynolds!

Today we get to celebrate the person who helps lead the charge in our mission to use the power of housing to transform lives across Eastern Kentucky. Scott's vision, steady leadership, and deep heart for our community shape everything we do - from the homes we build to the families we walk alongside.

Scott, thank you for your dedication to this work and to the people of Breathitt, Knott, Leslie, and Perry counties. We're grateful to build under your leadership.

Join us in wishing Scott a very happy birthday - drop your birthday wishes in the comments below! 💙🎉