LEXINGTON, Ky. — Winterwood Property is partnering with Lexington, and the grassroots nonprofit, AVOL, to move underrepresented groups into affordable apartments.
Stonewall Terrace is the new, inclusive home for people like James Scott, a former military veteran and a cancer survivor.
He is also one of the first residents of the new low-income apartments that help a community of medically, socially, and, or because of their race, vulnerably diverse groups. Scott has lived at Stonewall since June 2022.
“Once you get people in a community that has been in the same situations, sometimes you don’t even have to open your mouth; they know you’re going through something,” Scott said, explaining how the new structure has already made a difference for people in his same shoes.
Local partner AVOL provides support in multiple directions, from resources to education and now to housing. It's why getting the keys to the doors of one of the homes was life-changing for Scott.
“I didn't even care about the furniture as long as I had a roof over my head, and it was brand new and I could come in with my key,” Scott said.
Lexington mayor Linda Gorton said it’s the city’s honor to not only partner with AVOL, bringing a new form of housing, but as an effort that has been on her radar for some time.
“It makes me go back to 1999 when we had the first inclusive ordinance in the commonwealth of Kentucky, and for me personally, a lot of it started right there.” Gorton said.
In her 2023 proposal budget for the city, Gorton mentioned $2 million are being dedicated to affordable and low-income housing that will help build and reconstruct more structures.
AVOL was once a small organization out of Lexington. They dedicate efforts to ending the HIV and AIDS epidemic in Kentucky. That service has since spread across the state. Scott says the group and Stonewall make their financial situations a lot easier.
“As to where you can afford your medical bills and pay your medical bills, be able to pay your rent and not always have to worry about it. OK, well if I go to the hospital for a time and I’m not working, I’m going to get evicted," Scott said.
He says they still face normal housing stipulations, but the folks behind the affordable structure do what they can to help.
“We are still under the same rules and regulations as everyone but there are things put in place that, you know, that help us," Scott said.
“These people here in this organization were like you don’t worry about that, you let us worry about it, you worry about healing.” Scott explained about the unlimited support. Scott hopes the future of these homes continues to reach people like him and that more will be developed.