LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton announced Thursday that the city has launched a partnership with City Wise Software, a web-based platform designed to connect residents with affordable and market-rate rental options across Fayette County. The free website, still in pilot testing phase, aims to address a critical affordable housing shortage facing the community.

The platform allows landlords with small portfolios and affordable housing providers to list properties at no cost, while residents can search listings and access local resources including legal assistance and financial and utility support programs. Nearly 2,300 visitors have already used the website, with 17 percent searching for affordable units and 83 percent looking for market-rate housing, according to city officials.

Gorton said in a statement that "we are working diligently to implement innovative strategies that make affordable housing more accessible to members of our community, and this is a step forward." She noted that Lexington Housing Advocates received 933 calls last year from people seeking help locating affordable housing — "by far the most requested housing need," Gorton said.

Charlie Lanter, commissioner of housing advocacy and community development, said the platform addresses a growing problem. "Finding a safe, affordable place to live can be difficult enough without having to worry about scams or unreliable listings. This partnership gives Lexington residents a free, trusted place to search for housing," he said. All listings are vetted by City Wise staff to ensure they represent active, legitimate properties.

According to the Kentucky Housing Corporation, Lexington needs approximately 22,500 new housing units to meet current demand, and the median rent has increased 47 percent from 2019 to 2024. City Wise Software already works with nearby cities like Cincinnati and Louisville.

First District Councilmember Tyler Morton called reliable information essential. "Access to affordable housing starts with access to reliable information," he said. "Our partnership with City Wise helps connect residents to one trusted place where they can find available housing listings, resources, and support."

Residents and landlords can access the platform at apartments.lexingtonky.gov.