Perry County, with a population of 29,279 people, is in the heart of the coalfields of Eastern Kentucky, and the need for affordable housing is severe. Of the residents of Perry County, 29.1% are below the poverty line, as documented in the 2000 Census. This makes Perry County the 102nd poorest county in the nation, according to the Housing Assistance Council (HAC). This persistent economic distress has resulted in an affordable housing crisis. For example:

• 30.5% of housing units are actually mobile homes, not houses or apartments
• 2.9% of families lack complete plumbing systems
• 1.2% of families lack complete kitchen facilities
• 25.5% of the housing units were built prior to 1960
• 47.1% of owner-occupied units are valued at less than $50,000

Our community is indicative of the consistent economic distress the Central Appalachian region has suffered during the last century. Perry County, like many counties in Eastern Kentucky, has had a persistent poverty rate of at least 20% in every census since 1960 (HAC). Creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income families and individuals has contributed immeasurably to systemic, sustainable economic development in our community. The Housing Development Alliance has invested well over $10 million in the local economy and has added nearly $9 million to the local tax base.