The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council has given final approval to a designated stream of funding for affordable housing. That came as welcome news to a faith-based organization.
With Council action, 1% of city revenues from the previous year will be set aside to go for new affordable housing units. In the Council Chamber were several people with Building a United Interfaith Lexington through Direct-action, or B.U.I.L.D. That included Sharon Stewart.
“What we hope will happen or the plan is that this will provide more opportunities for individuals who are on limited incomes to be able to own and or rent homes,” said Stewart.
B.U.I.L.D. Co-Chair Gail Swanson said the 1% funding stream will assure monies won’t be removed for other purposes. She said it should amount to about four and a half million dollars annually, about doubling previous allocations.
“Because we know that we have 14,000 families in this community who spend 50% or more of their income on housing every month..and that’s not sustainable. You know one little emergency throws you into chaos so..we’re very thankful for this,” said Swanson.
B.U.I.L.D. has also been vocal about instituting a new program to reduce youth violence. Swanson, who’s family lost a loved one to violence, said there remains work in that area. In affordable housing, Swanson said it was a huge victory.
Swanson said B.U.I.L.D. is comprised of 26 church congregations representing about 15,000 people.
** WEKU is working hard to be a leading source for public service, fact-based journalism. Monthly sustaining donors are the top source of funding for this growing nonprofit news organization. Please join others in your community who support WEKU by making your donation.
