Mayor Ron Washington of Covington, Kentucky, has announced the members of a newly formed Housing Development Taskforce. This group is tasked with creating strategies to expand the city's housing stock to meet the needs of local working families.
"This critical taskforce is comprised of individuals who bring the necessary vision and professional acumen to build a strategy that will grow our housing stock to meet the needs of Covington’s working families," said Mayor Washington.
The taskforce includes notable figures such as Fritz Kuhlmann, Architectural Design Director at The HAUS Co., Tara Noem, Executive Director of Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Jean Schroer, President of Catalytic Development Funding Corp. of Northern Kentucky, among others. The diverse team aims to identify priorities for expanding workforce housing in Covington while maintaining the historical integrity of neighborhoods and addressing blighted properties.
The city plans to gather community input through formal roundtable discussions later this year. "While the Taskforce will provide key recommendations, we believe that the voices of our residents are essential to ensuring a successful outcome," Mayor Washington emphasized.
In May, Mayor Washington unveiled his initiative aimed at addressing Covington's housing shortage by revitalizing vacant properties. A study by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District revealed that 6,650 new housing units are needed in the region by 2028, with 891 required in Covington alone.
"This taskforce is a vital first step to ensure that the people who are the backbone of our city – the teachers, tradespeople, and service workers – have access to affordable housing," said Washington. He highlighted the importance of an inclusive process that incorporates community feedback: "We’re encouraged that several community members have already expressed interest in participating, and we welcome others to join them."
Those interested in participating or staying informed can contact Sebastian Torres, External Affairs Director for Covington City.