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Affordable Housing Analysis in Zip Code 17512: LIHTC Program Impact and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Zip code 17512 in Pennsylvania, which includes Columbia and its surroundings, has 24 affordable housing units funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. Of these, 6 units are specifically designated as low-income. Based on the 2022 population of 20,949 and an estimated 8,026 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 0.3% of the zip code's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in zip code 17512 have received $291,196 in tax credits, averaging $12,133 per unit. This funding comprises 0.05% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC allocation, indicating a small but significant investment in affordable housing for this area.
Water Tower, completed in 1996, is the earliest recorded LIHTC project in the zip code. This single project accounts for all 24 units and 6 low-income units in the area's LIHTC inventory. The 1990s were the most active period for LIHTC development in this zip code.
The unit distribution in LIHTC-funded projects includes 15 one-bedroom units, 4 two-bedroom units, and 5 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on housing for smaller families and individuals.
The population of zip code 17512 has remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 20,000 and 21,000 residents. Median income has shown an overall increasing trend, rising from $55,437 in 2013 to $57,745 in 2022, with some fluctuations in between.
Racial demographics in zip code 17512 have shifted slightly. The white population decreased from 84% in 2013 to 78% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 10% to 16% during this period, while the Black population increased from 2% to 3%. These changes indicate a gradual diversification of the area.
The absence of new LIHTC projects in the last decade may be attributed to the relatively stable population and increasing median income, potentially indicating a reduced need for additional affordable housing through this specific program.
Zip code 17512 has a modest LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, primarily established in the 1990s. While the existing units contribute to the area's affordable housing stock, they represent a small percentage of the overall estimated housing inventory. The demographic trends over the past decade show a relatively stable population with increasing diversity and median income. These factors may have influenced the lack of new LIHTC developments in recent years. It is important to note that other affordable housing programs may be contributing to the area's overall affordable housing landscape beyond the LIHTC-funded units analyzed here.
