LEXINGTON, Ky. — The city has launched a new partnership with City Wise Software, a web-based housing platform designed to connect residents with affordable and market-rate rental options across Fayette County.

The free site, which is still in pilot testing, allows both landlords with small portfolios and affordable housing providers to list properties at no cost. Residents can also access local resources through the platform, including legal assistance and financial and utility support programs.

"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," Mayor Linda Gorton said in a statement from the city government website.

Since launching, the platform has attracted 2,278 users, with 83 percent searching for market-rate housing and 17 percent looking for affordable units. The site serves as a centralized, trusted resource as the city grapples with an escalating housing crisis.

A city-commissioned study projects Lexington could face a shortage of 30,000 affordable housing units by 2030, and median rent has increased 47 percent from 2019 to 2024. Charlie Lanter, commissioner of housing advocacy and community development, said the platform addresses a critical gap in the local market.

"Finding a safe, affordable place to live can be difficult enough without having to worry about scams or unreliable listings," Lanter said. "This partnership gives Lexington residents a free, trusted place to search for housing, while also connecting them with important local resources."

Lexington Housing Advocates fielded 933 calls last year from residents seeking help locating affordable housing—the most frequently requested service. Gorton emphasized the platform provides residents and housing advocates with another resource to locate affordable units as demand continues to outpace supply.