The Housing Authority of Bowling Green, attempting to offset big federal budget cuts, is forming its own construction company.

The housing authority board voted Wednesday afternoon to approve the company – to be called simply the Housing Authority of Bowling Green Construction Co. – which will then bid on jobs with other housing authorities and private individuals or businesses.

Construction company employees will come from the REACH Higher program, which the housing authority runs, and will be overseen by current housing authority staff, Executive Director Abraham Williams said.

&#8220We have all the talents, all the skills here,” he said.

Over the last year, the housing authority has lost about $380,000 in funding through federal budget cuts, or more than one-third of federal support for its operating budget.

And further big cuts may be on the way, Williams said.

That news will come in January, and the agency’s after-school programs have enough money to get through May, he said.

The housing authority is applying for various grants and starting other projects – such as the new construction company – trying to make up the difference, Williams said.

Thus far, housing authority employees have been reshuffled to jobs funded directly by grants, rather than the main federal appropriation, he said.

&#8220We haven’t cut any people right now,” Williams said.

Transportation contracts

The housing authority board signed off on two-year contracts with Community Action of Southern Kentucky, Adaptive Enterprise and Royal Coach/Yellow Cab to provide rides to work for area residents without cars, paid for by a $297,000 federal appropriation arranged by U.S. Rep. Ron Lewis, R-Cecilia.

Adaptive Enterprise will take workers to and from jobs in Franklin, Russellville, Horse Cave, Scottsville, Springfield, Tenn., and Portland, Tenn.

Community Action of Southern Kentucky will provide early-morning bus service for people at the housing authority’s Gordon Avenue, Summit View, Angora Court, Bryant Way and Phenix Place complexes. And Royal Coach/Yellow Cab will give emergency rides to program participants whose cars break down.

The service will start Sept. 5, and is expected to serve about 70 people.

To use the service, people will have to apply and get a voucher through a local social-service agency, Williams said.

Faster housing

The housing authority board approved a deal with Kentucky Housing Corp. that will speed up emergency housing for the homeless.

The program targets &#8220homeless persons with severe and persistent mental illness, homeless victims of domestic violence as well as families with children who are in crisis due to homelessness,” according to the resolution. Kentucky Housing Corp. will provide required house inspections for urgent housing needs within 48 hours.

The agreement will let the housing authority move the homeless to the top of its waiting list for housing, Williams said.