FRANKFORT, Ky. — Kentuckians living in both rural and urban communities have at least one thing in common: a need for more housing. Leaders from different parts of the commonwealth expressed their concerns to a task force Monday, Aug. 26 in Frankfort. 

Lexington Mayor Linda Gorton told lawmakers the city is in the middle of a study to get a clear picture of local housing needs.

“We believe we are short of housing, and that’s why we are putting a lot of our resources into affordable housing," Gorton said. "That is a huge need for us."

Gorton said the city recently increased its urban service boundary, expanding the availability of housing. It also has made several changes to its zoning laws to support housing growth.

Myron Lewis, Elliott County judge executive, said it's facing a housing crisis as well. Two years ago, the county broke ground on the expansion of Little Sandy Correctional Complex, which will create around 150 new jobs.

“The clock for demand of quality housing for prison workers is now ticking," Lewis said. "And so far, we’re already late.”

Lewis added Elliott County has one of the lowest tax bases in the state due to declining population and loss of industry. He'd like to see more businesses open up in the county but thinks housing is the key to that reality, he said. 

“As you know, when these things happen, the tax base for the local government entities begins to rise as well," Lewis said. "This causes organic growth, not artificial growth." 

The last time a housing development was facilitated in Elliott County was in 1993, Lewis said. 

Lexington said nearly 1% or $5 million of the city’s general fund is committed to affordable housing alone.