Kentucky
Tackling Northern Kentucky’s housing shortage: New report lays out 50 potential solutions
FLORENCE, Ky. — The future of Northern Kentucky’s economic strength in later generations may depend on how seriously local leaders address the region’s housing shortage.
A study produced by the Northern Kentucky Area Development District in 2023 stated the following: “Communities need to plan for an additional 6,650 housing units (in the next five years) on top of new developments already in progress or planned.”
Those units break down to:
- 3,260 aligned with an income range of $15-25/hour (monthly housing costs between $500 and 1,500)
- 500 units aligned with very low-income households (monthly housing costs below $320)
- 4,220 units should be one- or two-bedroom
Read the full study here.
Local leaders from across the region on Tuesday unveiled a report full of solutions to address that shortage.
It outlines 50 diverse strategies aimed at “affordability, accessibility, and innovation, providing a framework for economic growth and community development,” NKADD wrote.
Campbell County Judge-Executive Steve Pendery said the stakes for the region’s economy are very high.
“Housing in particular is a huge roadblock that we are all committed to removing,” Pendery said.
Among the 50 solutions are 10 that are deemed most promising, including:
- Stakeholder idea sharing
- Proactive code enforcement
- Expedited permitting process
- Landlord property inventory
- Development agencies education
- Missing middle housing strategy
- Creative zoning approaches
- Regional housing trust fund
- Development cost support
- Small developer support
Read the full report here.
Some of the changes are fundamental shifts in the way housing has been historically planned, built and approved in Northern Kentucky.
Grant County Deputy Judge-Executive Colton Simpson suggested that the prospect of less expensive housing could encourage broader political support.
“If somebody said, ‘We are going to be able to decrease the price of housing,’ I think (government leaders are) more open to that than they have been in the last 10 or 15 years,” he said.
The need for income-aligned housing is about “offense” and “defense,” said Brent Cooper, president and CEO of the NKY Chamber of Commerce, utilizing a football analogy.
Communities that build more housing are not only able to attract more workers to support growing businesses (offense) but also keep individuals already living in the region from having to move (defense).
“I’ve got elderly parents, and they have to deal with steps,” Cooper said. “They want to downsize, but there’s no option for them to downsize that they can afford.”
The chamber president mentioned that companies often consider housing availability as a determining factor in their decision to remain or move to the area.
For companies based at or around the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, the demand for additional housing is real.
“As Amazon and DHL continue to hire folks, we need to really keep pace with that growth,” said Seth Cutter, Vice President of Public Affairs at CVG.
While there are several housing development projects in the works, he said it is insufficient to meet the rapid growth from the airport.
Leaders recognized that the report won’t provide instant fixes, but said they are optimistic about the potential conversations it may spark around change.
“This was about getting information to the decision maker,” said Judge-Executive Gary Moore of Boone County. “This isn’t just going to be solved by the large cities or the large counties. It’s really got to be a widespread effort.”
The Northern Kentucky Area Development District is encouraging its jurisdictions and local businesses to look at the resort and pick from the “menu of options” that best work for its communities.
Kentucky
Kentucky is poised to land either Donnie Freeman or Sebastian Rancik this weekend, per report
Jones posted on Twitter that “Kentucky will have (absent a major change) either Freeman or Rancik by tomorrow,” while also noting the Wildcats still need to add another shooter and another big to round out the roster.
One of the top targets is Donnie Freeman, a 6-foot-9, 205-pound sophomore forward transferring from Syracuse. Freeman arrived in Lexington on Tuesday night and began his visit on Wednesday before leaving without a commitment. While there was concern he could land at UConn, that visit has since been canceled, leaving Kentucky and St. John’s as the top teams.
Freeman averaged 16.5 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.3 assists per game last season, while adding nearly a block and a steal per contest. He shot 47.4% from the field but 30.2% from 3-point range across 23 games.
The other option is Sebastian Rancik, a 6-foot-11, 220-pound sophomore forward transferring from Colorado. Rancik visited Kentucky starting Wednesday through Thursday and brings a versatile skill set, averaging 12.3 points, 5.6 rebounds, and 2 assists per game while shooting 33.1% from 3.
Either Freeman or Rancik would provide a significant boost at the power forward position for head coach Mark Pope. Kentucky has already added guards Zoom Diallo and Alex Wilkins in the portal.
Kentucky
Kentucky football spring game offers early look at Will Stein’s Cats
Kentucky football coach Will Stein reflects on new position
Will Stein was officially introduced to fans and media as the head coach for the Kentucky Wildcats, replacing Mark Stoops.
LEXINGTON — Kentucky football had its first spring game under new coach Will Stein at Kroger Field on Saturday.
The offense, in blue jerseys, had its moments. So too the defense, donning white uniforms.
Ultimately, the blue squad earned a 23-18 victory in a game called just after noon because of inclement weather.
Stein admitted he “got emotional” as he charged onto the field prior to kickoff.
“I know it wasn’t a real game, but when I ran on the field, I definitely — man, I felt it,” he said. “It was like a wave running over me. And very, very, just cool.”
While it doesn’t count in the standings, Stein walked away pleased.
“I think we got a lot of really good work,” he said. “That’s the goal of spring is to improve with fundamentals and technique, learn how to practice, learn what winning edges that we need throughout spring to go into summer and fall and prepare the team for play. And we came out of the scrimmage clean. There (were) no injuries, which to me, that’s the biggest win of the day. I could (not) care less about the score.
“If we come out clean, that’s good. The Wildcats won.”
New starting QB Kenny Minchey looked about as expected, with sharp passes evened out by moments of inconsistency. Martels Carter Jr., a defensive back who is lining up at running back this spring, scored a touchdown and had several nice runs.
And the defense forced multiple three-and-outs and also picked off one Minchey pass on a two-point conversion.
This story will be updated.
Reach Kentucky men’s basketball and football reporter Ryan Black at rblack@gannett.com and follow him on X at @RyanABlack.
Kentucky
Kentucky has reportedly moved on from top-10 transfer Paulius Murauskas

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