Community Leaders, Faith Communities Explore Local Housing Challenges, Role in Expanding Opportunities
Like many communities across the nation, Lexington is facing housing challenges as its population continues to grow. Innovative solutions are needed to maintain a balance between growth in expansion areas and adding more density to existing areas.
Woodland Christian Church recently provided an inspiring local example of how a congregation can expand its ministry and address our community housing needs. Through a thoughtful partnership with Winterwood Inc., the church transformed a portion of its property (classroom building) at the corner of East High Street and Kentucky Avenue into affordable housing while continuing to serve as a vibrant place of worship and community.
On August 19, Mayor Linda Gorton and other community partners came together for a special engagement event entitled Faith in Action: Affordable Housing Workshop to highlight our community’s housing needs and the unique role faith communities can play in making a lasting impact. Held at Woodland Christian Church, the workshop provided practical information, real-world examples and an opportunity to connect with others engaged in this important work.
Some of the topics included: Understanding Lexington’s affordable housing challenges; How and why faith communities are engaging in housing solutions; Lessons learned from existing projects; Leveraging properties for community good; and Local and state policies supporting faith-based housing.
Lexington’s Housing Challenges:
- Lexington’s 2024 Affordable Housing Needs Analysis identified a current housing supply gap of 22,549 units, including approximately 14,400 rental units and 8,100 for-sale units.
- The median home price in Lexington has increased nearly 100 percent while wages have grown by only 30 percent. Rental prices have skyrocketed 47 percent in 5 years.
- By 2028, the average rent is expected to reach $1,305 – 56 percent rise in 11 years – making affordable housing a challenge. Meanwhile, we are only building about 600 new homes per year – 1/3 of what Lexington was building before the Great Recession.
Project Overview: The Oaks
- Through a partnership with Winterwood Inc., Woodland Christian Church transformed a portion of its property (classroom building) at the corner of East High Street and Kentucky Avenue into affordable housing while continuing to serve as a vibrant place of worship and community.
- For years, Woodland Christian Church faced declining church membership and mounting maintenance costs. The church needed more than $1 million in baseline repairs to truly thrive – including to restore its historic sanctuary.
- Completed in March 2026, the project features a fully restored sanctuary, renovated ministry space and is now home to 38 units of affordable housing for senior residents. Called The Oaks, units are reserved for seniors aged 55 or older making less than 60% of the area median income. Ten units are integrated inside the historic 1924 church building, and 28 units are in a newly constructed adjacent building.
- Financial support for the project included financing from Winterwood Inc., the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government ($3.2 million in ARPA funds and $1 million local affordable housing funds), and utilizing federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) alongside Historic Preservation Tax Credits.
Questions?
Whether your congregation is simply interested in learning more or has begun discussing future opportunities with housing, we invite you to connect with leaders engaged in this important work. CLICK HERE to complete an Affordable Housing interest form, and someone will be in contact with you.
Contacts:
Rev. Christy Jo Harber
Woodland Christian Church
rev.christyjo@gmail.com
Zach Worsham
Winterwood Inc.
zach.worsham@winterwoodinc.com
Charlie Lanter
City of Lexington
clanter@lexingtonky.gov
