On Tuesday, GLI joined a coalition of state leaders to announce a bill for workforce housing tax credits that will address the shortage of affordable housing across Kentucky.

GLI joined the coalition led by the Commonwealth Alliance for Housing Solutions, Kentucky League of Cities, and the legislation sponsors Representative Randy Bridges (R-Paducah) and Representative Kim Banta (R-Fort Mitchell).

“GLI has been focused on the message that a successful economy is an inclusive economy. That means giving all Louisvillians equitable opportunities to succeed,” said Shelby Williams Somervell, GLI’s VP of Government Affairs and Communications. “There are a number of underlying inequities in Greater Louisville, but the most pressing of these is the need for more affordable housing options.”

While some improvements have been made at the local level, action at the state level is imperative to move the needle. Kentucky has seen impressive wins in economic development and job creation this year, but  we have to be able to house the workforce that will fill these jobs. More affordable housing developments will lead to a more financially stable workforce and position our communities and state for economic growth.

Of the 75,000 unit gap of affordable housing across the Commonwealth, more than 30,000 of those units are needed in Louisville. This legislation would ease the burden for the quarter of Kentuckians who spend more than half of their income on housing costs.

The bill was pre-filed for the 2022 General Assembly which will begin on January 4^th.