The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Housing Authority, Mayor Linda Gorton and other city officials today cut a ribbon to officially open six new affordable townhouses at the corner of Race and Third streets.
“Were excited to showcase our latest affordable housing efforts,” said Austin Simms, Housing Authority Executive Director. Rent is based on low-income housing tax credit maximum rent limits. Housing vouchers are accepted.
“The Housing Authority has been a great partner in helping us to provide affordable housing in Lexington,” Mayor Linda Gorton said. “We have worked together for many years to provide a wide variety of housing options for people who have varying income levels.”
The new $1.6 million townhouse complex at Race and Third is one of several developments the Housing Authority has built without federal or local dollars. The complex was funded through good stewardship of fees received from other federal developments.
Construction of the townhouses, which began in May 2022, was managed by local contractor Bishop Carter, owner of Elaine Allen LLC construction.
The townhouses, which range in size from 1302-1348 square feet, feature covered porches and patios, off-street parking, granite counter tops, dishwashers, walk-in closets, and laminate wood flooring,
“The Housing Authority has redefined affordable housing in our community, building affordable housing units that are indistinguishable from private sector units,” said Simms, who has led the organization for 50 years.
Several hundred new or restored affordable housing units will come on line in Lexington this year through the City’s Affordable Housing Office, adding to the 3,200 units the office has developed or preserved since 2014.
The Housing Authority is a partner with the City in several of the upcoming developments, including a new Head Start child development center and nine affordable single family houses under construction on a new street, Dr. Zirl A. Palmer Lane, just two blocks from the new townhomes at Race and Third. The development is the last tract of Housing Authority’s HOPE VI development, a federal grant that has brought new affordable housing to the East End neighborhood.
“The partnership between the Housing Authority and the City absolutely works and has been successful,” Simms said. “We intend to continue addressing the need for affordable housing in Lexington.”
In addition to its work with the City, the Housing Authority manages 4,000 federal Housing Choice Vouchers in Lexington, pumping some $2 million into the local economy each month in utility and rent payments. It works with approximately 800 landlords.
The Housing Authority also manages about 1,000 units of public housing throughout Lexington.
