Bowling Green Expands Affordable Housing and Climate Efforts
Bowling Green, KY, is making strides to address critical community needs as city commissioners recently approved funding aimed at increasing affordable housing options and enhancing climate action strategies. The decisions, which took place on Tuesday, demonstrate a commitment to improving living conditions for residents while also taking steps towards environmental sustainability.
Affordable Housing Initiatives
In a significant move, the Bowling Green city commissioners approved receiving an initial allocation of $351,562 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s HOME Investment Partnerships Program. This funding aims to create affordable housing opportunities in the city. Brent Childers, the director of Neighborhood and Community Services, indicated that the city expects to receive around $350,000 each year from this program.
Traditionally, Bowling Green has sought financial support for affordable housing through the Community Development Block Grant program. However, Childers noted that the HOME funding has different allowances. He stated, “CDBG historically does not allow for new construction, but HOME funding does.” The strategy moving forward focuses on both rental and homeownership opportunities, responding to current market trends.
Estimates suggest that Bowling Green and Warren County could see $155 million in affordable housing projects, creating approximately 725 to 750 units. Childers emphasized, “Those are just the ones that we know of that are funded, that are real projects that we’re moving forward on.” This initiative aims to significantly increase affordable living spaces in the area.
Climate Action Plan Development
In addition to the affordable housing funding, the city commissioners have also turned their focus to climate initiatives. They approved a contract with Western Kentucky University’s Center for Human GeoEnvironmental Studies (CHNGES) to assist in creating a Comprehensive Climate Action Plan. Jake Moore, grants coordinator for Neighborhood and Community Services, remarked that CHNGES is well-equipped to aid in this vital effort.
The Climate Action Plan will project greenhouse gas emissions for the Bowling Green Metropolitan Statistical Area from 2025 to 2050 and will not impose regulations on local manufacturers. Moore explained, “None of this is regulatory. This isn’t a tool we’re going to use to knock on the doors of manufacturers and tell them to stop making things … This is more referential.” The plan will allow the city to identify future sustainability needs, such as personnel for solar energy and potential changes needed for electrical grids.
The city previously sought nearly $50 million through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Climate Pollution Reduction Grant program to enhance its climate efforts and reduce its carbon footprint. The funding would have been allocated to three significant projects: electrification of the GoBG Transit and WKU Transit fleets, construction of a 100-acre solar farm generating 10 megawatts of energy, and expanding city greenways and multi-use pathways. Unfortunately, the city was denied the grant in July.
To qualify for the grant, Bowling Green had to draft a Priority Climate Action Plan, which is supported by a nearly $1 million grant. Moore confirmed that the comprehensive plan needs to be completed by the end of next year, aiding the city in applying for future climate grants as opportunities arise.
In conclusion, Bowling Green’s latest efforts to enhance affordable housing and develop a robust Climate Action Plan reflect a proactive approach to bettering the community and addressing environmental challenges. As these projects progress, they are expected to have a lasting impact on the city and its residents.
