Habitat for Humanity Owensboro-Daviess County announced the completion of its 159th house in the community, marking a significant milestone in its mission to provide affordable housing. The newly constructed three-bedroom, two-bathroom home on Walnut Street was built on a lot donated by the City of Owensboro and has passed its final inspection.
Tiffany Cronch and her family were the recipients of the home.
“Today was filled with joy, gratitude, and cherished moments with my family,” Cronch said. “Receiving the keys to my home filled me with excitement and a sense of accomplishment. This has been a long-awaited milestone that has turned into a reality.”
The City of Owensboro supported the project, which benefited from numerous community partnerships.
“Creating equitable opportunities for our community requires resources, and we appreciate the support from the City of Owensboro,” said Dr. David Danhauer, Habitat Board Chair. “This support helps us continue to provide decent and affordable housing to residents in our community.”
Danhauer added that the local Habitat affiliate has always been a community leader in terms of affordable housing. He said their efforts are often met with barriers such as funding, property acquisition, materials, and more.
“We are blessed to have the support of the City of Owensboro to help Habitat Owensboro-Daviess County keep building into our 36th year in this community of ours,” Danhauer said.
Mayor Tom Watson emphasized the importance of such projects, noting that they provide safe and comfortable homes and contribute to neighborhood revitalization.
“Stable housing can have a profound impact on families, leading to better health, education, and economic opportunities,” Watson said. ““Our partnership with Habitat for Humanity is vital in addressing housing needs, and I appreciate the collaborative efforts that make projects like this successful. Since 2013, the City of Owensboro has sponsored 12 houses, investing over $350,000 in affordable housing.”
The construction of the home at 426 Walnut Street faced some initial challenges. Habitat’s application for a construction permit was initially denied until the Owensboro Historical Preservation Board could review it. The Board ultimately allowed the project to proceed but required specific design elements to match the area’s historic character.
Despite the initial concerns, Jeremy Stephens, Executive Director of Habitat, expressed pride in the final result.
“The end result is something we are extremely proud of,” Stephens said. “I would also like to thank the people at Owensboro Planning and Zoning. They are always super helpful on Habitat projects and went above and beyond on this one in particular.”
The new home was dedicated to the Cronch family in a public ceremony on Sunday.
