City of Hopkinsville Mayor J.R. Knight announced Friday afternoon the first two recipients of the “Lot-Next-Door Program”: Austin Moss and Cross Point Ministries.
Moss is receiving a lot located on Poston Avenue, where his goal is to develop affordable housing on the property.
Cross Point Ministries, meanwhile, is taking on 704 Smith Street, in which the congregation has plans to expand the church’s parking needs.
Knight said he “couldn’t be happier” for the program’s launch, which he said is proving to be an effective tool in the city’s “Growing Home” initiative to clean up Hopkinsville, while advancing quality of life.
Established by the Hopkinsville City County in May 2021, the “Lot-Next-Door Program” is looking to reallocate and re-purpose the city’s nearly 1,000 vacant lots back into productive use.
Per the Center for Community Progress, vacant, abandoned, deteriorated properties are often referred to as “blighted” properties, and they pose significantly increased cost to public health, property value and taxpayers.
Troy Body, Hopkinsville city administrator, is credited with bringing the idea to Christian County. It was an initiative used in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina, and it requires buy-in from both the private and government sectors.
Considered a “sweat equity” program, residents and organizations must pay a nominal fee
and take ownership of a vacant lot that is located next to an occupied residential or commercial
property that they currently own and maintain for at least a 12-month period.
Once that benchmark is met, applicants can receive a deed to their requested property if there are no findings of violations.
Knight said he will officially sign the property deeds over to the program participants at 10 AM Monday in the city council’s chambers.
More information about the program can be found at hopkinsvilleky.us.
