Plus, learn about the ongoing sewage repair project.
 
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59º | 5% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:40 a.m. | Sunset 7:50 p.m.

 
What affordable housing means in Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky's skyline with a sunset of blues, reds, and oranges
Affordable housing can mean many things, so we’re breaking down what it means for Lexington. | Photo by @femibranded
Affordable housing is a hot topic our readers often ask us about, especially as the average cost of living continues to grow and more projects are announced for the city. But what is affordable housing, actually? Let’s break down what this phrase means in Lexington.

Defining aspects of affordable housing

According to the city, “housing is considered affordable when safe, quality housing is available and rent and utility costs are no more than 30% of gross household income.” For example, if someone makes $40,000 a year, housing would cost $1,000 or less per month, coinciding with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) definition.

Local public housing is typically funded by HUD and owned + operated by the Lexington-Fayette County Housing Authority (LHA). However, not all affordable housing is funded by the government — that’s where Lexington’s Office of Affordable Housing comes in. This department is in charge of allocated any money the housing fund receives. Those investments, from both private and public sectors, help produce and maintain affordable and subsidized housing.

The term “subsidized housing” refers to government programs that reduce housing costs for low- to moderate-income residents. In Lexington, this includes seniors, individuals with serious mental illness, single parents, and more.

Eligibility

In order to be eligible for city-provided public housing, there are five factors that individuals must meet including:
  • Qualifying as a family, which is defined “as a group of people related by blood, marriage, adoption, or affinity that live together in a stable relationship”
  • Having an income that doesn’t exceed 80% of the median income in Lexington
  • Having citizenship or residency in the US
  • Having a Social Security Number
  • All family members must sign consent forms
LHA manages 1,100+ units and provides resources including listing available properties, employment opportunities, and housing for seniors.
 
Red Mile
 
Events
 
Wednesday, March 20
  • Hope Spring Eternal Mini Market | Wednesday, March 20 | 5-9 p.m. | Blue Stallion Brewing Co., 610 W. 3rd St., Lexington | Free | Welcome in the spring season with a pop-up market featuring tarot readings, a book swap, silent reading club in the loft, funky jewelry, and more.
  • Arkansauce | Wednesday, March 20 | 8 p.m. | The Burl, 375 Thompson Rd., Lexington | $12-$14.40 | Keep it saucy with this four-piece, Fayetteville-based folk string band.
Thursday, March 21
  • Party Like It’s 2005 | Thursday, March 21 | 6-8 p.m. | Old North Bar, 101 W. Loudon Ave., Lexington | Free | Revisit the days of Y2K fashion while mingling with old friends and new courtesy of the Somebody Society.
  • “Faces” Exhibit | Thursday, March 21-Sunday, May 12 | Times vary | Central Library, 140 E. Main St., Lexington | Free | See the work of artist Jason Akhtarekhavari and photographer Kevin Nance as they prove that faces are everywhere — if you look close enough.
Friday, March 22
Saturday, March 23
  • The Hair Band Experience | Saturday, March 23 | 7:30 p.m. | Lyric Theatre and Cultural Arts Center, 300 E. 3rd St., Lexington | $33-$73 | Grab the Aqua Net and get ready to headbang along to hairband favorites like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard, and Poison.
Click here to have your event featured.
 
 
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Shop
 
🥃 The one-stop shop for bourbon enthusiasts
the gift shop at Heaven Hill Distillery features a wide range of products including t-shirts, glasses, home decor, and more
There’s something for every bourbon fan at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience. | Photo provided by Heaven Hill Brands

Where can you find the perfect gift for the bourbon lover in your life? The retail shop at the Heaven Hill Bourbon Experience in Bardstown, of course.

The shop features a variety of bourbon-inspired products, including:
  • Merch
  • Premium barware + cocktail-making accessories
  • Home decor
  • Pet accessories
  • Heaven Hill’s full portfolio of award-winning American Whiskeys
  • and more
Swing by the store after taking a tour of the distillery or grabbing drinks at the Five Brothers Bar. Pro tip: If you can’t make it to Bardstown, shop the full store online.
 
News Notes
 
Closing
  • Rise Up Pizza, the Detroit-style spot inside the Horse & Jockey Pub, is closing its 131 Cheapside location, with the last day of operations being Sunday, March 24. According to owner Matty Evans, he has yet to find a new location to call home, but is “likely to relaunch the food truck at least partially this year.”(Lexington Herald-Leader)
Listen
  • We’re all mad (in March) here. Coach Cal + former Oregon State University basketball coach Craig Robinson have started a podcast called “Ways to Win.” The first episode is available now where they discuss bracketology with former President Barack Obama.
Environment
  • Can you beleaf this? The city’s new project called Lex Grow Trees aims to expand our tree canopy using a $1.5 million grant from the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council. Neighborhoods, nonprofits, and businesses interested in applying for part of the grant can do so by April 26.
Eat
  • Eats without the meats. Lexington Vegan Week will return April 19-28, where participating restaurants get to flex veggie-forward bites. Restaurants or chefs interested in participating can register now.
Drink
  • If you’re looking for another way to support the Cats, look no further. Bud Light has unveiled a new, limited-edition UK packaging, so there’s no question who you’re rooting for this season. The beers are now available at participating retailers.
Kids
Trending
Finance
 
 
Environment
 
Unclogging the past — literally
An intersection with cones going down the middle and detour signs, construction machinery, and piles of rocks.
The Greentree road closures are expected to be completed by the end of April. | Photo by Amy Wallot
If you’ve been in the Tates Creek Road area over the last few months, you may have noticed bypass pipes poking from the ground (and maybe whiffs of sewage).

It likely derives from, you guessed it, sanitary improvements. More specifically, the work that’s part of the ongoing Sanitary Sewers Remedial Measures Plan, the ~$600 million program that aims to improve our sewage system and avoid overflows.

One of the biggest projects part of the overall plan is currently taking place along Greentree Road and Gainesway Drive, which will be closed to through traffic during the repairs through April.

“Sanitary sewer overflows pollute our creeks and are a health hazard,” said Mayor Linda Gorton. “With the Greentree project, the city is replacing and upsizing our sanitary sewer lines.”

Mayor Gorton added that the plan will be moving into “high gear” in the coming weeks, with 52 out of the 80 projects completed.
 
The Buy
 
The Baby Shower Gift Guide. Give the gift of parenthood practicality or highchair high-fashion for the growing family in your life.
 
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The Wrap
 
Aayat Ali Today’s edition by:
Aayat
From the editor
It’s officially spring, and you know that means — those cherry blossoms at Lexington Cemetery are popping off.
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