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HONK partners with City of Elsmere, HBA to frame home in two days for purchase by low-income family


Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky (HONK), in partnership with the City of Elsmere and the Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky (HBA), framed an entire home on Dell Street in Elsmere in two days.

L-R: Alex Mattingly, City of Elsmere Administrator; Tom Spille, Spille Builders and Developers, HBA President; Marty Lenhof, Mayor, City of Elsmere; Doug Delay, Alan Schmidt Construction, Past HBA President, HONK Board Secretary; Jim Stegman, Stegman Construction, Past HBA President, HONK Board President; Steve Lutkenhoff, HONK Construction Manager. The group was part of a team that framed a house to be purchased by a low-income family in the city of Elsmere (provided photos).

L-R: Alex Mattingly, City of Elsmere Administrator; Tom Spille, Spille Builders and Developers, HBA President; Marty Lenhof, Mayor, City of Elsmere; Doug Delay, Alan Schmidt Construction, Past HBA President, HONK Board Secretary; Jim Stegman, Stegman Construction, Past HBA President, HONK Board President; Steve Lutkenhoff, HONK Construction Manager. The group was part of a team that framed a house to be purchased by a low-income family in the city of Elsmere (provided photos).

“We are very proud to partner with Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky.  A personal home remains the American Dream,” said Tom Spille, 2016 HBA president; Spille Builders and Developers. “We are pleased to support HONK and their efforts to help those less fortunate but still deserving to realize that dream.”

The home, which was framed on Oct 15-16, is a single-story with three bedrooms, two baths, great room and kitchen, and full basement.

The City transferred the lot to HONK at no cost to provide an affordable home ownership opportunity to a low-income working family.

“Elsmere is proud to partner with HONK and the HBA to add more single family homes to Elsmere, particularly at the location on Dell Avenue,” Mayor Marty Lenhof said.  “Their generous efforts work in tandem with us to achieve the 2016 Elsmere Strategic Plan goal of housing stock revitalization and improvement.”

Elsmere city officials are working with HONK as part of its community development strategic plan .

“We are excited to build our first new home in Elsmere. HONK’s goal as a non-profit organization is to help more people achieve the dream of owning their own home,” said David Hastings, executive director, Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky. “With help from the Home Builders Association of NKY, the City of Elsmere, and the generosity of our friends and neighbors in Northern Kentucky we are doing just that.”

HONK is a 501(c) 3 non-profit Community Housing Development Organization who builds new and rehabilitated homes in Northern Kentucky.

This is its second project in Elsmere.

HONK is completing a major renovation on Spring Street.  The seven room (3 to 4 bedroom, 2 baths) home will soon be available to an eligible family who desires homeownership.  HONK’s lease-to-own program is available for chosen families.

Since HONK’s founding in 1991, they have completed 81 rehabilitated homes, 33 newly constructed homes, and have successfully brought 70 families to homeownership.  These homes are made affordable through the use of volunteers (labor), donated materials, donations and grants.

The Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky issued the following statement regarding the project:

“This new home in Elsmere is a prime example of industry (HBA), government (Elsmere), and the private sector (HONK) coming together with the help from many business donors, volunteers, and public supporters to enhance community growth and development.  HONK’s mission to make available affordable homeownership opportunities continues as a viable option for low income families to achieve the dream of owning a home.”

For more information about HONK and their affordable lease-to-own home ownership program go to www.honkhomes.org.

Families interested in this home or one of several available should call Marcia Jennings, HONK Housing Counselor, at 859-581-4665.

Home Builders Association of Northern Kentucky


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