LEXINGTON, Ky. — Mayor Linda Gorton and Councilmember Whitney Elliott Baxter cut a ribbon on Wellington Park Apartments, a new 45-unit development dedicated to seniors earning below 50 percent of the area median income, according to the city.

Located at 321 Dorchester Place near Wellington Dog Park, the $11.5 million project marks the city's first affordable housing initiative in the Ninth Council District, an area Baxter noted has one of Lexington's largest senior populations. "Most people may not equate aging with the need for affordable housing, but it is imperative for individuals who are on a fixed income," Baxter said.

The project was developed by AU Associates, Inc., in collaboration with Reimagining Home and Age Friendly Lexington. The site sits adjacent to Wellington Dog Park and within walking distance of Meijer, Target, and Fayette Mall. Construction began in November 2024.

Funding for the project came from multiple sources: $9 million from the Kentucky Housing Corporation, $2 million from the City of Lexington's Affordable Housing Fund, and $500,000 from the city's Public Infrastructure Program. Mayor Gorton highlighted the significance of the achievement: "Since 2014, the Affordable Housing Fund has allocated over $60 million to leverage a $490 million investment by the private sector for the development and preservation of 3,925 housing units. We hope to top 4,100 units by the end of the year."

The opening comes as Lexington faces significant housing shortages. A recent affordable housing needs assessment found that Lexington needs approximately 17,005 additional affordable housing units for households earning 80 percent or less of the area median income. AU Associates President Johan Graham emphasized the project's broader vision, stating that Wellington Park works "hand-in-hand with our collaborative partner, 'Reimagining Home,' a part of Age Friendly Lexington," to "sustain a broad spectrum of housing and living arrangements that maximize the potential for older adults."