Lexington Opens New Affordable Housing Triplex

Lexington has celebrated a significant milestone in its commitment to providing affordable housing, with the recent opening of over 400 affordable units in 2023. Gleanings Housing Inc., a local non-profit dedicated to affordable housing solutions, held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Wednesday, October 9, for a newly constructed triplex home.

This triplex, located on the East End of the city, represents an investment of $175,000, with the City of Lexington contributing $51,468 through the Non-Profit Capital Grant Program. The city’s funding facilitated the creation of a parking lot for the tenants and the purchase of necessary appliances for the residences.

Executive Director of Gleanings Housing, Laura Slaughter, emphasized the collaborative effort required to tackle the growing need for affordable housing, stating, “It’s going to take a community. It’s going to take a group of people working together to house those individuals with very limited income.” Rent for the new units will be set at 30% of the tenants’ monthly income, adhering to recognized affordable housing guidelines.

In total, the city has supported the opening of 401 affordable housing units this year, with an additional 83 units anticipated by the end of October. Housing Commissioner Charlie Lanter noted last year’s total was approximately 800 units, highlighting that the production of housing tends to fluctuate.

Over the past decade, Lexington has invested around $48.3 million into the construction or preservation of affordable housing, resulting in the creation or revitalization of 3,500 units. Mayor Linda Gorton noted the pressing need for affordable housing in the city and underscored the importance of ongoing collaboration to meet future demands.

According to a recent survey by the Central Kentucky Housing and Homeless Initiative, the number of homeless individuals in Lexington has increased by 26% from the previous year, with a count exceeding 3,000 homeless residents. In contrast, the city’s official count of homeless individuals stood at just 825 in January, reflecting a mere 1% increase from the prior year.

As Lexington continues to confront the challenges of housing insecurity, initiatives such as this triplex reveal the city’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable housing options for its most vulnerable populations.