Frankfort, Ky. – Representative Dennis Keene (D-Wilder) has secured $1.5 million in affordable housing grants for the cities of Highland Heights and Newport. One half million dollars will go to the City of Highland Heights for the new senior housing complex, Highland Village. The second grant of $1 million will be used for new and renovated affordable homes for ownership in the City of Newport.

Property development and management non-profit organization, Neighborhood Foundations, has taken the lead in working with Rep. Keene to secure funding for these important projects. “Dennis Keene was instrumental in securing the grants from Frankfort that will launch these important projects,” said Neighborhood Foundations Executive Director, Tom Guidugli. “With Rep. Keene’s help, we are bringing more affording housing opportunities to Highland Heights and Newport.”

The $500,000 for Highland Village will provide 118 apartment units for senior citizens. Fourteen two-bedroom and 104 one-bedroom apartments will be available, allowing Highland Heights seniors to stay close to home. “Many of Campbell County’s seniors are living on fixed incomes and need a nice place to live that is close to home and their relatives,” said Rep. Dennis Keene. “I am proud to help bring these affordable, state-of-the-art apartments to the seniors of Highland Heights.” Highland Village will be located on the former Highland Heights Dale Elementary school property near Northern Kentucky University.

On behalf of The City of Newport, Neighborhood Foundations will use the $1 million grant to build nine homes in the City’s West End and 13th Street neighborhoods that will be available for sale to residents who qualify. “This grant will help bring more home ownership to the City of Newport,” said Tom Guidugli. The homes will be built and renovated on existing vacant houses and lot sites primarily in Newport’s West End neighborhood.