Faith leaders, city officials explore housing solutions at Woodland workshop
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Community leaders and faith organizations gathered recently at Woodland Christian Church to discuss how religious institutions can help address Lexington's critical affordable housing shortage. The workshop, called Faith in Action: Affordable Housing Workshop, explored how churches could repurpose underutilized property to expand housing options, building on the success of Woodland Christian's pioneering model.
City, faith-based and community leaders met in the church sanctuary to examine the challenges facing Lexington's housing market. According to information presented at the meeting, Lexington had a housing supply gap of 22,000 units in 2024. The crisis extends further into the future, with Lexington projected to face a shortage of 30,000 units by 2030.
The economic pressure on residents has intensified. The median home price in Lexington has increased 100%, while wages have grown only 30%. Rental costs have risen even faster, with rental prices increasing 47% over five years.
Woodland Christian Church, located on East High Street and more than 100 years old, has converted underutilized property into 38 affordable apartment units for seniors called The Oaks at Woodland. Rev. Christy Jo Harber of Woodland Christian Church described the project as an example of how faith communities could tackle the housing crisis. "I believe that this is a miracle, simply through community partnership," Harber said during the workshop.
A new state law — House Bill 333 — aims to simplify the process of affordable housing development for faith-based organizations by streamlining planning and zoning requirements, according to advocacy groups supporting the measure. The law represents a significant opportunity for religious institutions to contribute to solving the broader crisis.
Workshop participants discussed how other faith communities could replicate the Woodland model by converting unused buildings or land into housing. Advocates hope that collaborative efforts between churches, developers, and the city will help close Lexington's growing gap between housing supply and demand.