HENDERSON, Ky. — The City of Henderson and Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, Kentucky launched a five-year, $1 million partnership to eliminate blighted properties and expand affordable housing opportunities in the city’s inner-city neighborhoods.

What You Need To Know

  • The City of Henderson and Habitat for Humanity of Henderson, Kentucky launched a five-year, $1 million Blight Elimination Program

  • The initiative focuses on eliminating blight, acquiring and managing distressed properties and creating affordable homeownership opportunities

  • The program aims to increase affordable home construction to 10 to 15 homes annually, up from Habitat’s current six to seven homes

  • Addressing a shortage of approximately 1,000 affordable homeownership units and 900 rentals, the program will restore properties to the tax rolls

The Blight Elimination Program will see the city contribute $100,000 annually, doubling its previous $50,000 yearly allocation for blight removal. Habitat for Humanity will match the city’s investment, bringing significant resources to revitalize areas struggling with vacant and distressed properties.

The initiative, born from the city’s Inner City Improvement Plan, aims to eliminate blight, acquire and manage distressed properties and create pathways to affordable homeownership. The plan was proposed by the Blight and Affordable Housing Committee, chaired by Habitat for Humanity’s Chief Operating Officer, Matt Reynolds.

“This partnership allows us to leverage each other’s strengths and address blight in a more effective, broad-sweeping way while replacing it with viable homes,” said Mayor Brad Staton. “Like many communities, we’re struggling to meet the demand for affordable housing.”

Under the program, Habitat for Humanity will have up to four years to build homes on acquired properties, ensuring steady neighborhood transformation. The partnership also opens opportunities for local developers to purchase properties for the combined investment amount, with a goal of constructing 10 to 15 affordable homes annually. That’s up from Habitat’s current pace of six to seven homes per year.

“We’re excited to better address the need,” Reynolds said. “The emotional impact of handing over keys to families in need is indescribable.”

Reynolds cited a 2024 Kentucky Housing Commission and Bowen National Research study that found Henderson lacks approximately 1,000 affordable homeownership units and 900 affordable rentals.

The program targets the inner-city area from Green Street to Atkinson and Washington to Sand Lane, where blighted properties have long posed safety and aesthetic challenges. Staton, who grew up in a low-income neighborhood, emphasized the dual benefit of removing unsafe structures and restoring properties to the tax rolls.

“It’s about taking care of houses beyond repair and building back in a way that’s affordable for folks struggling to make ends meet,” Staton said.

He hopes the initiative will yield at least 50 new homes over five years.

Habitat for Humanity’s housing program is income-based, requiring applicants to show need, ability to repay and willingness to contribute sweat equity through construction and homeownership counseling.

Reynolds said a recent surge in applications attributed to increased need and reduced stigma around seeking assistance.

Two joint committees, comprising city and Habitat representatives, will oversee the program, guide decision-making and evaluate developer interest. The partnership was unanimously approved at the city’s Board of Commissioners meeting on Tuesday, June 10.

The initiative is expected to transform Henderson’s neighborhoods while addressing critical housing shortages, offering hope to families in need of stable, affordable homes.

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