A 73-year-old Lexington, Kentucky, man says he has just over 40 days (as of the end of July) to get out of his apartment before it’s demolished to be used for a redevelopment project. Robert Alan Glover woke up on July 22 to an email giving him 45 days to leave Lyndhurst Place, where he’s lived since 2018, WKYT reported. Developers are hoping to get started as soon as possible to repurpose the building into student housing (pending approval).
Glover said a notice to vacate arrived after weeks of asking his landlord what was going to happen to the building after finding out about a proposed redevelopment project. He added that, in his opinion, the situation is one that ultimately comes down to money, as it appears those who are less fortunate in the area are being targeted for move-outs rather than those who have no issues paying the rent. Low-income residents end up losing the housing they have to make room for the more expensive student apartments on the way in.
A city spokesperson confirmed that a demolition permit has been filed for the property, though it hasn’t been approved just yet. Glover said on the same day that he’s still not giving up when it comes to being forced out of his home, telling WKYT, “I’m not dead yet.” Although he might not have much choice.
His search for a new place to live has forced him into a completely different obstacle, however. Glover has a Section 8 housing voucher, and he said some building managers in Lexington react badly the moment they hear that. That has caused Glover serious issues when trying to secure new housing, which makes his impending departure from the building that much more frustrating.
Why a Section 8 Voucher Makes Renting More Difficult
Section 8 voucher holders in Lexington face a rental market where most doors are closed to them, in fact. The Lexington Housing Authority reported that in 2023, only about 4% of housing providers in the city accepted Section 8 vouchers, according to LEX 18. Rental ads in Lexington usually proclaim “No Section 8.” That means it’s already difficult for anyone looking for a home, as they have even less to choose from.
The city of Lexington tried to change that and was overruled. In February 2024, the Urban County Council passed an ordinance banning landlords from rejecting applicants based on their source of income, including federal vouchers, on a 13-2 vote. Within weeks, the Kentucky General Assembly passed House Bill 18, which barred local governments from adopting or enforcing exactly that kind of ordinance, according to LINK nky. Gov. Andy Beshear vetoed the bill, lawmakers overrode the veto, and Lexington’s ordinance became unenforceable. Landlords in the city may legally decline a Section 8 voucher as a result.
That leaves Glover between a rock and a hard place. He hasn’t offered an update on the situation since the report ran, but it seems he’ll continue to face obstacles when seeking out a new home for the moment. For the foreseeable future, the demolition plans are likely to move forward.