This July, Community Ventures was honored to participate in the WAVE Confluence: a major regional summit hosted in Bardwell, KY by the West Kentucky Alliance for a Vibrant Economy. With prominent leaders including Rep. Steven Rudy, Attorney General Russell Coleman, and other regional champions in attendance, the event spotlighted strategic opportunities to empower and revitalize Western Kentucky.
During the Housing Panel, Community Ventures’ representative joined a distinguished group of local leaders:
- Mike Gunn, City Manager of Fulton
- Mark Welch, President of Fulton-Hickman Economic Development Partnership (and a valued member of CV’s Board of Directors)
- Jim Martin, Fulton County Judge Executive
Together, they discussed both the pressing housing needs and the real, on-the-ground solutions being implemented across the region. Community Ventures shared its multi-pronged housing strategy, made possible through strong public-private partnerships and critical support from state and federal agencies.
Our Comprehensive Approach to Housing
Community Ventures’ housing programs work in harmony to address the full ecosystem of homeownership, affordability, and long-term financial health. Our efforts are supported by Kentucky Housing Corporation, USDA, and funding allocated by the Commonwealth of Kentucky General Assembly, reinforcing our shared mission to expand opportunity in rural communities.
The Rural Homeownership Program (RHP)
Designed to help individuals with low or moderate incomes qualify for homeownership in rural areas. This program supports:
- Credit counseling and financial readiness
- Homebuyer education
- Affordable mortgage pathways through USDA, FHA, and other products
New Construction & Housing Development
We invest directly in the construction and renovation of single-family homes and rental units in underserved areas, including Fulton and Hickman counties. This stimulates local economies, provides quality housing stock, and supports long-term community growth.
Down Payment Assistance Programs
We offer flexible down payment assistance options to help first-time and low-to-moderate income buyers overcome one of the biggest barriers to homeownership. These tools are designed to:
- Bridge the affordability gap
- Reduce the upfront cash burden
- Improve approval odds through layered financial support
Education & Counseling Services
Across all programs, Community Ventures provides HUD-certified housing counseling. These services help individuals and families:
- Understand their credit and finances
- Build strong foundations for homeownership
- Make informed, confident decisions about buying or renting
Collaboration at the Core
One of the most powerful takeaways from the WAVE Confluence was a shared recognition that real progress, especially in rural communities, can’t happen in isolation. It takes thoughtful coordination, open dialogue, and a collective belief in what’s possible.
We’re honored to work shoulder to shoulder with local leaders like Mike Gunn, Judge Jim Martin, and Mark Welch, whose deep commitment to their communities is moving the needle in Western Kentucky. Their leadership, combined with vital support from our funding partners at the Kentucky Housing Corporation, USDA, and the Commonwealth of Kentucky, has created a pathway for building homes, hope, stability, and lasting opportunity.
This kind of partnership is what drives us forward every day. It reminds us that when we align resources, vision, and heart, there’s no limit to what we can create together.
With aligned partners and a shared commitment to rural prosperity, Community Ventures is proud to help build the foundation, literally, for the region’s future.
📍 For more information on how our housing initiatives can serve your community, visit cvky.org.