Community-focused bank offers increased support for manufactured home buyers in Kentucky
Media Contact:
Grant Beck, Marketing and Communications Manager
Email: g.beck@nextstepus.org
Phone: (202) 851-7550
LOUISVILLE, KY – October 12, 2017 – Today, Next Step Network is announcing that Kentucky Bank has joined the SmartMH Program. Kentucky Bank joins a leading cadre of lenders and bankers in the state that are working to expand homeownership opportunity in the communities that they serve through the use of smart, energy-efficient manufactured homes.
“We are very excited to have Kentucky Bank become a member of the SmartMH program, adding yet another valued partner in this critical enterprise to expand homeownership opportunity,” said Stacey Epperson, president and founder of Next Step. “Those individuals and families in Kentucky looking to achieve the dream of owning a home need more forward-thinking allies dedicated to affordable, sustainable housing solutions.”
Founded in 1851, Kentucky Bank has a rich history of serving residents of Kentucky, with 17 banking offices located across 11 Kentucky communities.
“Helping people in our communities obtain homeownership is an important objective for Kentucky Bank,” said Lisa Highley, director of Mortgage Lending at Kentucky Bank. “We do this by offering homeownership programs that allow low and moderate income households to purchase quality, affordable homes, including manufactured homes.”
Lenders that are a part of the SmartMH program engage with prospective homebuyers who want to purchase a manufactured home by helping navigate them to a HUD-certified, nonprofit housing counseling organization that provides access to homebuyer education and counseling services. SmartMH lenders can then work directly with prospective homebuyers, getting them pre-approved to purchase a modern, energy-efficient manufactured home.
The SmartMH program connects qualified homebuyers with financial institutions and manufactured home retailers to increase access to affordable, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes with fair financing. Freddie Mac has partnered with Next Step to grow the SmartMH program, while improving access to credit for prepared, manufactured homebuyers in Kentucky.
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Next Step Network® mobilizes a national network of nonprofits to provide affordable housing tailored to the needs of communities that they serve. Their system – Manufactured Housing Done Right® – connects responsible financing, comprehensive homebuyer education and delivery of high-quality, ENERGY STAR® manufactured homes at scale, creating a model that brings more value to the customer. Learn more at www.nextstepus.org.
Founded in 1851, Kentucky Banks’ historic strength and stability offer their customers invaluable peace of mind. Consistently recognized as one of the top 200 community banks nationwide by Bauer Financial, the bank enjoys a strong reputation in its communities. Kentucky Bank has 17 banking offices in 11 Kentucky communities. The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, has named Kentucky Bank as one of Kentucky’s “Best Places Work”. Kentucky Bank employs approximately 250 community members. Please visit Kentucky Bank online at www.kybank.com, Facebook and Instagram.