Housing Development Alliance

08/28/2026

The numbers tell a story we see every day. 🏡

Across the country, a typical home now costs five times a family's yearly income. Here in Eastern Kentucky, nearly half of our neighbors earn less than $25,000 a year, and our region is short more than 3,000 homes.

That's the gap we close every single day. Every home we build and every roof we repair is one more family who gets to stay, thrive, and call these hills home.

And it's not just a "big city" problem. When people were asked about the biggest issues facing their communities, the availability of affordable housing became the #1 concern, outranking even drug addiction.

At the Housing Development Alliance, this is our why. 💙 Every family we help is one more answer to a crisis that's touching all of us. We believe your zip code shouldn't decide whether you can afford a safe, quality place to call home.

To our neighbors in Perry, Knott, Leslie, and Breathitt counties: we see you, and we're not going anywhere.

👉 Help us bring more families home: hdahome.org

08/25/2026

A Bittersweet Goodbye to Our Julia 💚

Today we're saying "see you later" to someone who has meant the world to us - our Disaster Recovery Program Manager, Julia Stanganelli - as she heads home to Massachusetts to begin graduate school at Tufts University. 🎓

We won't sugarcoat it: we are going to miss her terribly.

Over her time here, Julia helped make the impossible feel possible for flood survivors across Eastern Kentucky - 118 home rehabs completed, 69 homes built and sold, and 21 more still rising today. Behind every one of those numbers is a family who got to come home. That's Julia's legacy, and it's a big one.

But numbers only tell half the story. The other half? Her heart, her grit, and that unforgettable sense of humor. We're fairly certain she single-handedly rescued the burrata bread at Food City. Rumor has it they were about to stop stocking it entirely - nobody bought it - until Julia moved to town. Her response? "I do love that cheese!" 😄 (Food City, you're welcome.)

Julia, thank you for your hard work, your compassion, and every laugh along the way. Eastern Kentucky recovered because you showed up. Keep on going - BIG things are in store for you. We love you, and we can't wait to see all you'll accomplish. 💙

And while one chapter closes, another begins! We're thrilled to welcome Sidney Megna as our new Disaster Recovery Program Manager. 🎉 Sidney brings fresh energy and a big heart to the role, and we know our families are in wonderful hands. Please join us in giving Sidney a warm HDA welcome!

Two photos below: Julia's tribute, and the majority of our office crew who will miss her more than words can say. 📸

08/25/2026

💔 Remembering Dolly Parton (1946–2026)

Today, the mountains feel a little quieter. Our beloved Appalachian daughter, Dolly Parton, has passed away at the age of 80. 🕊️

Dolly was born the fourth of twelve children in a one-room cabin in the East Tennessee mountains - no electricity, no running water, but plenty of love, faith, and music. She never forgot those roots. In songs like Coat of Many Colors, she reminded the world that a family's worth is never measured by what they own, but by the love stitched into their home. 🧵

That truth is the heartbeat of our work here at HDA. Every family we serve - every flood survivor, every hard-working neighbor, every child who deserves a warm and safe place to grow up - is proof of what Dolly spent her whole life telling us: that people from these mountains are resilient, worthy, and full of dreams worth building.

She lifted up Appalachia with pride, generosity, and grace. The best way we know to honor her is to keep doing the work she'd have loved - building homes, building hope, and reminding our neighbors they matter. 🏡

Rest easy, Dolly. Thank you for making the whole world proud to be from these hills. 🌄

"Storms make trees take deeper roots." - Dolly Parton

08/25/2026

🌅 What a way to start the morning! ❤️

A huge thank you to Steve Hensley WYMT and photographer Scott Feltner for capturing Sunday's breathtaking sunrise over our Blue Sky subdivision. The sky lit up in the most beautiful shades of red - a stunning reminder of the hope and new beginnings these high-ground homes represent for our families.

As Scott so perfectly put it: "We really are blessed to live in such a wonderful place."

We couldn't agree more. 💙 Eastern Kentucky is gorgeous from season to season. And Blue Sky isn't just a neighborhood - it's a place where families are building safe, secure futures on solid, high ground. Mornings like this remind us exactly why we do what we do.

Thank you, Scott, for sharing your photo, and thank you to everyone who helps make places like Blue Sky possible.

Another great pic from sunrise this morning in Perry County from Scott Feltner.

08/21/2026

After a lifetime of renting, Lloyd & Karen Morris are officially HOMEOWNERS! 🔑🏡 Today they signed the papers on their brand-new home at Skyview in Perry County - a moment years in the making. 💛

Behind every set of keys is a team that works long hours to get a family home. This is the joy that makes it all worth it. 🥹

As Karen said, "Faith walked in, and joy walked out!"

To our donors: THIS is what you make happen! Every gift helps turn years of hard work into a family’s first few moments walking through their front door. 🙏

Congratulations, Lloyd & Karen - welcome home! 🎊

Thank you to the family for all their hard work towards homeownership, Fahe & the CDBG-DR program, funded by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and administered by Kentucky Department for Local Government - DLG for helping make this possible. 🙏

08/21/2026

🎉 Please Help Us Welcome Sidney Megna to the HDA Team!

We're thrilled to introduce Sidney Megna, our new Disaster Recovery Program Manager here at the Housing Development Alliance! 🏡

Sidney describes her role as being "a connector" - the person who keeps all the moving parts working together so our disaster recovery and housing development projects keep moving forward for the families we serve. She'll be working closely with our clients, our team, and our community partners to make sure everyone's on the same page as folks recover and find a place to call home.

An Appalachian through and through, Sidney grew up in Fairmont, West Virginia, and now calls Hazard home. She's a proud 2026 graduate of Davis & Elkins College, where she earned degrees in Political Science and English and served as Student Body President. Her path has taken her from Capitol Hill to the Appalachia Service Project - but her heart has always been rooted right here in the mountains.

In her own words: "Any opportunity to serve Appalachia is of interest to me… This place has good bones, and I am excited to join a team passionate about the same things I am!" 💙

A little more about Sidney: she loves reading, writing comedy, playing "mediocre" guitar, and going for a run. Her younger sister is "the coolest person ever," and - fair warning - she does a Kermit the Frog impression she'll tell you is "at least a 7/10… the best on this side of the Mississippi." 🐸 Well, we gotta hear it, right?! Check back for that next week.

One of her favorite mottos comes from Steinbeck's East of Eden: "And now that you don't have to be perfect, you can be good." (Though she's also partial to a little Kermit wisdom: "Life's like a movie, write your own ending!")

Welcome to the team, Sidney - we're so glad you're here!

Drop a comment below to say hello! 👋

08/21/2026

🏡 TWO HOMES FOR SALE in Perry County! 🏡

We're excited to announce that two new, move-in ready homes are available for qualifying buyers through our income-based Homeownership Program!

Tucked into the peaceful Perry County countryside - not on our high-ground development sites - these homes offer the best of quiet country living: room to breathe, a little more privacy, and a beautiful place to put down roots in our mountain community. 🌄💛

🌿 Home #1 - Buffalo Trace on Lower Second Creek
• Address: 1699 Flat Gap Road, Bonnyman, KY 41719
• Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Square footage: 1,288
• Key features: A comfortable primary bedroom suite with a walk-in closet and private bathroom. The washer and dryer are tucked into a convenient mudroom with access to a back stoop - a handy second entrance. You'll love the open-concept living and kitchen space, perfect for family life. The home comes fully equipped with appliances: dishwasher, over-the-stove microwave, refrigerator, dryer, and washer. The refrigerator and dryer are both ENERGY STAR® rated.
• Sales price: $195,000 (set equal to the appraised value; monthly payment is based on income)

🍁 Home #2 - Big Creek / Fourseam Community
• Address: 1283 Buffalo Run, Hazard, KY 41701
• Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
• Square footage: 1,400
• Key features: This charming two-story home welcomes you with a large covered front porch that spans the entire front - perfect for peaceful country mornings and evenings. Inside, the open-concept kitchen and living space offers a bright, airy feel. A 6'x6' side stoop off the kitchen provides an additional entrance, and a designated laundry nook sits conveniently between the kitchen and side door. The primary bedroom is thoughtfully placed downstairs for long-term accessibility, with an en suite bathroom. Upstairs, you'll find three more bedrooms, a second bathroom, and a handy linen closet. The home comes fully equipped with appliances: dishwasher, over-the-stove microwave, refrigerator, dryer, and washer. The refrigerator and dryer are both ENERGY STAR® rated.
• Sales price: $204,000 (set equal to the appraised value; monthly payment is based on income)

✅ How to Qualify
Both homes will be sold to interested buyers who qualify for our income-based Homeownership Program. This program is designed to make homeownership affordable and attainable for low-income families in our region.

Interested? Here's how to take the next step:
📞 Call us at 606-436-0497
📧 Email [email protected]
💻 Learn more or apply at hdahome.org/get-started

There's something special about a home in the country - peace, quiet, and space to make it your own. If you've been dreaming of simpler living, one of these homes might be the perfect fit.

Please share this post with anyone who may be looking! 🙏

(Photos below!)

08/20/2026

🙏 THANK YOU - And the Search Continues 🚨

We are so grateful for the way our community shows up for one another! A heartfelt thank-you to LEX 18 News for helping us spread the word about our stolen work trailer, and to all of you who shared our post, tagged a friend, or kept an eye out. Your support means the world to us. 💛

Unfortunately, the trailer still hasn't been recovered - so we're asking for your continued help.

Here's what to look for:

🛻 A silver 12' enclosed box trailer with a V-shaped front
🔢 A sticker with the number "22" on the passenger (right) side

Losing this trailer hits harder than you might think. It's a daily workhorse for our carpenters, carrying the tools and materials they need to build safe, affordable homes for families right here in our region. The sooner it's back, the sooner our crews can stay focused on what matters most.

If you spot a trailer matching this description, please do not approach it. Instead, contact your local law enforcement or call us at 606-436-0497. 📞

Please keep sharing! Every share brings us one step closer to bringing it home. 🙏💛

An Eastern Kentucky nonprofit that builds affordable homes for families is asking for the public's help after one of its work trailers was stolen from a Perry County neighborhood.

08/20/2026

💛 : Two New Homeowners at Chestnut Ridge! 🏡🔑

Today is one of those days we love most here at HDA - two families closed on brand-new homes at Chestnut Ridge! Both are 2022 Knott County flood survivors who wanted to move out of harm's way and onto higher, safer ground. We couldn't be prouder to hand them the keys. 🔑✨

🌿 Congratulations, Caleb Combs!

Caleb is a disabled Navy veteran 🇺🇸 and a 2022 flood survivor whose home was damaged in the flooding. He came to HDA looking for a safe place, out of harm's way - and today, that dream came true. Caleb is now the proud owner of "The Willow," a 3 bed/2 bath home. He completed Housing Counseling and Homebuyer Education with HDA to prepare for this big step.

Funding for Caleb's home was made possible by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky, Community Project Funding (thank you, Congressman Hal Rogers!), and the Rural Housing Trust Fund (Kentucky Housing Corporation). 🙏

🌿 Congratulations, Kristen & Tristan Caudill!

This young family of five - Kristen, Tristan, and their three children - also lost their Knott County home to the 2022 flood. Like so many of our neighbors, they wanted a safe home on higher ground for their kids to grow up in. Today, they became the proud owners of "The Maple," a 4 bed/2 bath home! They, too, completed Housing Counseling and Homebuyer Education with HDA.

Funding for the Caudills' home was made possible by the Foundation for Appalachian Kentucky and Community Project Funding (thank you again, Congressman Hal Rogers!). 🙏

To Caleb and to the Caudill family: welcome home. 🏡💛 We're honored to have walked this journey with you, and we can't wait to see the memories you'll make in your new homes on higher ground.

Please join us in congratulating our newest Chestnut Ridge homeowners! 🎉