2 Hopkinsville homes face demolition due to safety concerns, poor living conditions

A landlord with a history of code violations and another property owner are facing fines as Hopkinsville Code Enforcement moves forward with the demolition of two properties.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Hopkinsville Code of Enforcement Board held a meeting on May 12, where they decided to demolish two homes in the city due to violations. One of the properties was being actively rented out by a landlord with previous code issues, and the other was a vacant home being illegally accessed with evidence of possible gunfire on the property.

The first property, presented by Code Enforcement Officer Mark DeArmond, is located on South Virgina Street which contains people actively renting and living in two apartment units. The property owner, Timothy VanDiver, owns a total of eight properties in Hopkinsville, owing over $92,000 on liens and taxes. He previously appeared in front of the board for a hearing in January regarding a separate rental property that was deemed to have “unsafe and unlivable” conditions.

After an inspection in April, the South Virgina Street code enforcement posted the residence as unsafe structure. DeArmond said they have received no contact from the property owner after several formal notices, and he did not arrive at the hearing. City Attorney Doug Willen said the board would be able to proceed with action without the property owner.

The board voted to declare it as an unsafe structure, the property owner was given the maximum fine, and code enforcement will facilitate demolition of the entire property once the tenants have vacated.

History of violations at South Virginia Street, inspection findings

A presentation by DeArmond showed there was a timeline of citations on the property dating back to August of 2024. Initial reports were focused on exterior code violations that were never resolved.

In April of 2026, an anonymous caller issued a complaint about possible unsafe living conditions, claiming there was a one-year-old child living in Apartment B. The young tenants were initially uncooperative with an inspection but eventually filed a written complaint and complied after alternate living arrangements were found for the child.

Here are some of the issues found based off an interior inspection of Apartment B:

Holes in exterior walls, holes in roof along with sagging.
Broken windows boarded up with cardboard, decaying windowsills.
Interior walls and ceiling with holes, floors sagging and decaying with holes.
Exposed wiring.
Accumulation of trash, tires in backyard.
Inoperable plumbing.
No water service since June 2025 in Apartment A.
No water service since November 2025 in Apartment B.
No gas service since September 2025 in Apartment A.
No gas service since May 2026 in Apartment B.
27 calls for service for fire/medical and police activity in the past two years.

DeArmond said the tenant in Apartment A did not permit entry for an inspection.

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North McPherson Avenue vacant home set for demolition near CCMS

The second presentation was in reference to a vacant home on North McPherson Avenue that was inspected on March 18. The property owner, identified in the presentation as Melissa Lane-Moorhaed, failed to make direct communication with the department and did not show up for the hearing where the case was presented during the May 12 meeting.

Ornate silver-framed mirror with multiple cracks and two impact marks, in a dimly lit room next to a white cabinet with a bottle.

Open floor with a large hole leading to a dark basement, covered by a dirty blanket and clothing draped over the edge amid scattered debris and trash.

Although the property should be unoccupied, Code Enforcement Officer Darnell West said there is clear evidence that people are living inside the home. A mattress, clothing and other items are in plain view inside the residence. West also shared that there appears to be bullet holes in various spots all over the home.

“Why do we need a house that looks like it’s being use for target practice this close to Christian County Middle School?” said West. The property is located in a neighborhood that is across a field from the school.

These are some of the issues that were reporting during the inspection:

No utilities since 2022.
Cracks in foundation and holes in exterior walls.
No exterior door in place.
Buildup of trash and debris.
Several large holes in interior walls and possible bullet holes.
Fallen ceiling and water damage.
Inoperable plumbing.
Just under 20 calls for fire/medical and police activity in the past five years.

The code officer explained that the furnace had been removed from the floor of the home, leaving a gaping hole in the interior floor. A neighbor advised that young people were accessing the home through the crawl space and entering through this hole.

Willen confirmed that since the unsafe structure notice was posted, the property owners were notified as well as newspaper publication, the board is permitted to take action without the owner. The board voted to deem it an unsafe structure with the maximum fine and demolish the property.

CORRECTION: The street name of one of the homes that will be demolished has been updated.