New Skyview Estates project returns flood survivors to higher ground, expands local housing
The Housing Development Alliance is building Skyview Estates, a roughly 50 acre high ground housing development about five miles from downtown Hazard to provide permanent, safe homes for flood survivors. The project, part of the regional High Ground initiative and funded in part by Team Eastern Kentucky and other recovery sources, aims to add more than 100 buildable lots of affordable single family homes while creating construction jobs and strengthening Perry County's long term recovery.
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The Housing Development Alliance has broken ground on Skyview Estates, a high ground housing development planned on roughly 50 acres about five miles from downtown Hazard. The site is being developed to provide permanent housing for residents displaced by recent flooding, with more than 100 buildable lots planned and a mix of model homes and larger building phases included in the design.
HDA is constructing one story, affordable single family homes with a variety of floor plans and energy efficiency features intended to lower utility costs for owners. Skyview is part of the broader High Ground initiative for Eastern Kentucky, and funding for the project includes support from Team Eastern Kentucky as well as other recovery sources. HDA says it will prioritize flood survivors for homeownership at Skyview and offers intake and contact information for families seeking housing through the organization.
Returning families to permanently safe ground is central to Perry County's long term recovery strategy, and the Skyview project touches on public health as well as housing policy. Permanently relocating households out of flood plains reduces exposure to hazards that contribute to respiratory illness, mold related conditions, and repeated acute injuries. Stable housing is also a key social determinant of health, linked to better mental health outcomes, improved management of chronic disease, and more reliable access to preventive care.
The project carries economic benefits as well. Construction activity for more than 100 homes will create local jobs, support contractors and suppliers, and increase the county's housing supply at a time when affordable options are limited. Energy efficiency measures in the homes aim to reduce monthly costs for residents, an important consideration in a region where utility burden can strain family budgets.
Skyview also raises questions about equity and long term policy. Prioritizing flood survivors acknowledges the disproportionate burden extreme weather has placed on low income households and renters. Sustaining projects like Skyview will require continued coordination among state and regional funders, local government, and health and social services to ensure new homeowners can access the wraparound supports they need. Those supports include medical care, mental health services, and transportation to jobs and clinics.
For Perry County residents, Skyview represents tangible progress toward rebuilding on solid ground. As construction proceeds, local leaders and community organizations will need to monitor placement of services, affordable mortgage and ownership supports, and outreach to eligible families so that the promise of safe, permanent housing becomes a reality for those most affected by flooding. Families interested in learning about eligibility and intake should contact the Housing Development Alliance for further information.
