COVINGTON, KY – The City of Covington’s Neighborhood Services Department has issued two Requests for Proposals (RFPs) aimed at redeveloping more than two dozen City-owned vacant properties into new housing, advancing Mayor Ron Washington’s Housing Development Initiative. 

Covington, like many communities across Northern Kentucky and the nation, is facing a significant housing shortage—particularly for residents seeking affordable and workforce housing options. Recent regional data highlights the growing gap between housing supply and demand, underscoring the urgency for action. 

The Mayor’s Housing Development Initiative focuses on revitalizing the City’s inventory of vacant and abandoned lots—many of which require ongoing maintenance and public works response. By converting these underutilized properties into productive, vibrant spaces, Covington is working to meet the growing demand for quality housing while strengthening neighborhoods across the city.  

“These proposal requests are about turning opportunity into reality,” Mayor Washington said. “We are leveraging City-owned land to directly address the housing shortage and create more attainable options for the people who live and work in Covington.” 

The two RFPs collectively include more than two dozen parcels, such as: 

• 866, 867, and 871-73-77 Western Ave.  

• 1614 May St.  

• 2018 Greenup St.  

• 20 W. 15th St.  

• 407 Byrd St.  

• 310 Berry St.  

• 1213 Garrard St.  

• 216 Trevor St.  

• 330 E. Martin Luther King Jr. St.  

• 402 and 404 E. 11th St.  

• 1225 and 1227 Banklick St.  

• 110 Pleasant St. and 1318 Scott St. (must be combined)  

• 1215 Pike St.  

• 706-10 W. 12th St.  

• 1114 and 1122 Forest Ave.  

• 952 Western Ave.  

• 826 and 830 Crescent Ave.  

• 2719 Madison Ave.  

• 18th St. W and 308 W. 18th St. (must be combined)  

• 205 W. 15th St.  

• 2309 Herman St.  

• 1012 Greenup St.  

The City is seeking innovative, high-quality proposals from developers, nonprofit organizations, and community partners who are committed to delivering impactful housing solutions. Priority will be given to projects that provide affordable and workforce housing options. 

For the purposes of the RFPs: 

• Affordable housing is defined as housing available to households earning at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI).  

• Workforce housing is defined as housing available to households earning at or below 120% of the AMI, based on HUD’s HOME AMI limits for Kenton County.  

While proposals targeting households above 120% AMI will be considered, preference will be given to developments that meet affordable and workforce housing needs. 

The RFPs will remain open for 35 days. 

“This is a call to action for the development community,” Brandon Holmes, Director of Neighborhood Services, said. “We are looking for partners who share our vision for a more inclusive and vibrant Covington.” 

The release of these RFPs builds on the momentum of the Mayor’s Housing Development Initiative, which has been a central focus of the administration’s efforts to address housing challenges through policy, partnerships, and strategic investment. 

These redevelopment opportunities come at a critical time. A 2023 Northern Kentucky Area Development District study found that the region will need 6,650 new housing units by 2028, with Covington alone requiring 891 units. 

Interested parties can review the full RFPs and submission guidelines by creating an account through the City’s procurement portal here.