Hopkinsville and Christian County kicked off celebrations Saturday in honor of Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday with the Focus 21st Century and Human Relations Commission breakfast.
Rain didn’t stop the event from being well attended by people who came to learn about the opportunities and value in home ownership. Focus President Tom Bell welcomed everyone, saying home ownership was of great importance to Dr. King, who would have been 90 years old this year.
The guest speaker was Louisville Metro Housing Council Executive Director Cathy Hinko, who says it is her goal in life to help make Dr. King’s wish for homeowner equality to be true. Giving some statistics for Hopkinsville, not including all of Christian County, Hinko says real estate market is 52 percent rental with too many living in poverty.
She says that Hopkinsville must develop a long term plan to increase homeownership in the city and that a good first step would be to pass the Uniform Residential Landlord Tenant Act.
Hinko says creating a process that allows renters to build good credit while paying their rent would also help increase homeownership. Many local banks—such as Planter’s Bank, which had a representative present that morning—have credit counselors, along with several programs and incentives to help first time home buyers.
In the end, Hinko says the strongest way to bring about to change is to do as Dr. King would have wanted, and make sure people are exercising their right to vote.