HONK celebrates new homeowner

COVINGTON, Ky. - Debbie Burton hadn't been in the house in 35 years. "I have a lot of good memories here. I used to climb trees all the time."

When she heard Housing Opportunities of Northern Kentucky had finished rehabbing her childhood home on 18th Street in Covington, she wanted to see what they had done.

For 52-year-old Burton, seeing the house freshly painted and in pristine condition wasn't a shock.

"I'll always remember it as brand new," she said. "Back then, I was a kid, so I thought it was great anyway."

Currently, HONK is working on eight rehabs and building three new homes, according to executive director David Hastings.

"The goal entirely is about helping folks become homeowners that may not otherwise have that opportunity," he says.

"That process generally takes them about a year to get ready," said Hastings.

He says what's good for the homeowner is good for the city.

"In the end, it all comes down to investment. A family being invested in the house, the family being invested in the community, so that Covington becomes and continues to be a thriving place to live."

Debbie Burton couldn't agree more.

"They did a fabulous job. Whoever the new owner is, they will love it."

Burton is right.

The new owner, Lula Meiners, showed Burton around the new kitchen and was regaled with loving stories of Burton's mother cooking frog legs on the stove.

She enjoyed living here," Meiners said. "I'm sure I'm going to be very happy living here, me and my family."