LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg (D) is allocating $24 million dollars to create permanent affordable housing. It’s part of the fight to prevent and end homelessness in the city.

What You Need To Know

  •  Anola Hampton has lived at Zion Manor Apartments since 2006

  • Louisville Mayor Craig Greenberg is allocating $24 million to create permanent affordable housing

  • There is a shortage of over 31,000 affordable housing units for Louisville’s lowest income households

  • Several organizations, offices and people are working to meet the housing needs

Anola Hampton was born and raised in Louisville. She loves the unity in the city, local events and the Derby.

She has lived at the Zion Manor senior apartments in Louisville for 16 years now — since 2006 — and she loves it. The rents here are scaled, based on residents’ incomes.

“It really has been a blessing because this is a well-structured development and it’s safe. It’s comfortable.” Hampton told Spectrum News 1. “I’m just blessed.”

She is very involved in the community, and knows there’s a real need for affordable housing in the city. In her eyes, affordable housing is relief for low-income families and it helps free up money for other necessities.

“Without affordable housing, you would feel hopeless, because you wouldn’t be able to pay your rent. The other government programs, it’s crucial to families that’s really struggling and have worked all these years.” Hampton explained.

But what exactly is “affordable housing?” Here’s how Andrew Hawes, with Housing Partnership Inc., explains it: “Affordable housing is housing that you are able to obtain, and have enough money left over that you can pay for food, utilities, car and not be overburdened.”

Hawes said in Louisville, per the city’s housing needs assessment, there’s a shortage of over 31,000 affordable housing units for Louisville’s lowest income households. He says statewide, per the Kentucky Affordable Housing Coalition, a recent study shows a shortage of over 75,000 housing units statewide.

“The need is just huge,” Hawes said.

Several organizations, offices and people are working to meet the need. The Housing Project is building even more affordable housing units, including the brand new senior apartments within walking distance of Hampton. It’s right on the other side of the block.

The Housing partnership told us they filled in 12 vacant lots to build the development. It is called Zion Manor, and we got an inside look at Phase 2 of the senior apartments.

“The construction is being completed,” Hawes explained. “We’re actually taking applications for potential rental. Hopefully, it’ll be available for occupancy next month.”

In other parts of the city, there are signs that more affordable housing is on the way, such as at Dr. W.J. Hodge and West Jefferson Streets.

Louisville-based LDG Development is one of the nation’s largest developers of affordable housing.

Christi Lanier-Robinson, the Executive Vice President of Communications & Strategic Partnerships with LDG development, explained, “We were founded on the belief that everyone deserves a quality place to live. That’s why we’ve been really aggressive in trying to come up and develop affordable housing communities that fit the need.”

She told us about a development called The Grey on Ali that will be affordable and mixed-rate. It’ll be a five-story complex with 256 units. It’ll be at the site of the former Greyhound bus station on Muhammad Ali Boulevard in downtown Louisville.

The development is part of LDG Development’s plan to address the housing shortage. That plan, named Lou 2.2, calls for creating 10 multi-family housing communities across Louisville.

“We believe that affordable housing needs to be located in all parts of the community because the need isn’t concentrated in one area,” Lanier-Robinson said. “So, whether it’s in Prospect, or whether it’s in the South End, or whether it’s in West Louisville. What you’re going to see and what you have seen from LDG is a real aggressive approach to helping to meet the needs of people who need affordable housing.”  

Back at home, Hampton says she is optimistic and hopes affordable housing expands.

“I think you get there with all the organizations getting together and talking about this need. I’m sure we will get there through Jesus or you will get there,” she said.

She believes it takes initiative, focus and determination. 

Resources if you need help finding or paying for affordable housing:

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