Downtown Lexington is seeing additional affordable housing units. A ribbon cutting Monday opens the door to more housing options in the East End.
Six new townhouses are situated at the corner of Race and Third Streets. The $1.6 million townhouse complex is one of several developments the Housing Authority has built without federal or local dollars. It was funded through stewardship of fees received from other federal developments. Austin Simms has served at the Housing Authority for 50 years.
“We like to focus on the fact that it’s indistinguishable from the private side. It’s affordable housing, yet it’s very attractive, very useful, very functional,” said Simms.
Simms said five more affordable housing units are set to open this fall with plans for an additional nine more later on. The townhouses feature covered porches and patios, off-street parking, granite countertops, dishwashers, walk-in closets, and laminate wood flooring.
First District Council Member Tayna Fogle attended the event. She said hopefully the people in her community will be able to move into these townhouses.
“People from this area can still have their heritage, their ancestry in this area and be able to move in a home that may not have bugs behind the walls because they’re new from the ground up,” said Fogle.
The townhouses range in size from just over 1300 square feet to about 1350. While saying that it provides additional housing opportunities, Fogle noted the six units may still be too expensive for some seeking affordable housing. Rent is based on low-income housing tax credit maximum rent limits and housing vouchers are accepted.
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