Gov. Beshear Joins Wayland Community To Celebrate New Homes

11 families move to higher ground, site to expand with more homes

WAYLAND, Ky. (July 26, 2024) - Today, Gov. Andy Beshear joined Appalachia Service Project (ASP) in Wayland, Kentucky, to celebrate new homes and new beginnings for 11 families of flood survivors and announced that more homes are on the way.

Just eight months after the Governor announced development of this high-ground site on land formerly owned by the Wayland Volunteer Fire Department, families are moving into new, resilient homes. The homes on the four-acre site in Floyd County were built in partnership with ASP. Partial funding for the homes came from generous donation made to the Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund with each home receiving $100,000 from the fund.

Gov. Beshear and Lt. Gov. Jacqueline Coleman are traveling to Breathitt, Floyd and Perry counties today, with two stops in Knott County, at Leburn and Hindman, to observe progress at new high-ground communities, note improvements to infrastructure, announce new funding and an additional project to build more homes, and mourn those Kentuckians lost in the devastating flooding that occurred two years ago.

"We are celebrating another significant milestone in our commitment to rebuild every home and every life after floods devastated some of our Eastern Kentucky communities," said Gov. Beshear. "From the moment flood waters started rising, it's been neighbors helping neighbors and everyone living out their faith and values, with a shared goal of making our new Kentucky home better and stronger."

The Wayland community is one of seven high-ground sites that, together, will bring over 500 new homes to four counties impacted by the 2022 flooding. At the event in Wayland, Gov. Beshear announced that more homes are on the way.

"Team Kentucky and ASP are not done helping flood survivors. Today, we can announce that more homes are coming to a second phase on this site. This will more than double the number of families with a new home and a new start at this high-ground site here in Wayland," said Gov. Beshear.

"We are celebrating real and lasting change for these families who are moving into new, energy-efficient, well-built homes outside of the flood plain - homes that are built just like our people, strong and resilient. I am grateful for the support of the Governor, ASP, volunteers and local partners for their commitment to the people of Wayland and their vision to keep building," said Wayland Mayor Jerry Fultz.

Floyd County Judge/Executive Robbie Williams said, "We are quickly approaching the second anniversary of the flooding that devastated our county and region. The strength and resiliency of our people has been on full display during this time of recovery, and that is what makes Floyd County so special - her people. Today's celebration is a wonderful expression of compassion and willingness to improve the lives of those so deeply affected on July 28, 2022. I want to thank the Governor, Appalachia Service Project and the Foundation of Appalachia Kentucky's affiliate, the Floyd County Community Foundation, for their hard work to help our people continue to call Floyd County home."

"ASP's mission has always been to serve those in need, and the collaboration with our partners has been instrumental in making all our flood recovery efforts possible," said Chris Schroeder, vice president of new build and disaster recovery at ASP. "This event is a testament to the power of partnership and our unwavering commitment to long-term recovery for our friends and neighbors in Eastern Kentucky. We've been so blessed to serve the good people of Wayland in the ways we have, especially knowing how much they've been through the last few years, and we are far from finished in building new homes for flood survivors in this area."

Commitment to Building on High Ground
Gov. Beshear has previously provided details on seven announced high-ground communities. In addition to the site in Wayland, new high-ground sites include:

• The Cottages at Thompson Branch in Letcher County is the first site to have homes on site and occupied.
• New Hope Estates in Floyd County has partnered with Mountain Housing to construct 33 new homes and rehab one existing home to assist flood survivors.
• Chestnut Ridge in Knott County is more than 100 acres with plans for 150 homes.
• Grand View in Letcher County is a 92-acre site with plans for 115 homes.
• Skyview in Perry County is a 50-acre site with plans for over 100 homes.
• Olive Branch in Knott County is a 75-acre site with plans for 132 homes.

The state continues to evaluate land options for additional high-ground sites. If you were impacted by the floods of 2021 or 2022, you can visit HousingCantWait.org and fill out the questionnaire to see if you qualify for Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery funding.

The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund continues to partially fund individual homes being built on high ground. To date, the fund has provided nearly $2 million for 25 homes in Breathitt, Floyd, Knott, Letcher, Martin, Owsley and Perry counties. These homes are being built in partnership with nonprofit builders, including HOMES Inc., Housing Development Alliance and Partnership Housing. 

Two-Year Anniversary of Eastern Kentucky Flooding
The Governor provided an update on recovery and rebuilding efforts in Eastern Kentucky as part of his weekly Team Kentucky Update on Thursday. In addition to information on new high-ground sites, some of the progress Gov. Beshear noted includes:

• FEMA has approved Individual Assistance for 8,775 survivors, totaling more than $110.5 million under the Individual and Households Program.
• FEMA has provided over $84.7 million to acquire over 500 homes and help families move out of flood prone areas in five counties.
• 138 bridges have been either repaired or replaced.
• $297 million dollars has been secured in federal disaster recovery funds to help areas rebuild.
• The Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund has raised more than $13.4 million from over 41,500 donors. The fund paid the funeral expenses of the Kentuckians we lost, provided immediate relief payments directly to individuals who suffered property damage and is now being used to rebuild and repair homes with nonprofit partners.

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Editor's note: Click here for photos from the event in Wayland.

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