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Affordable Housing Analysis in Zip Code 36089: Union Springs, Alabama's LIHTC Inventory and Mental Health Housing
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 36089, encompassing Union Springs, Alabama, exhibits a combination of rural and small-town characteristics. This area contains a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory, comprising 128 total units, of which 92 are designated as low-income units. Given the estimated 2,565 housing units in the zip code, LIHTC-funded affordable housing constitutes approximately 5% of the total housing stock. Although this falls below the optimal 15-20% target for affordable housing, it provides a significant contribution to the area's housing needs.
The LIHTC projects in zip code 36089 have received $669,525 in tax credits, averaging about $5,230 per unit. This funding represents 0.38% of Alabama's total LIHTC allocations, indicating a substantial investment in affordable housing for this rural area. Affordable housing has been present in this zip code for over two decades, with the initial LIHTC project, Liveoak Village, completed in 1994, and the most recent, Willow Ridge Estates, finished in 2005. The late 1990s experienced the highest activity in affordable housing development, with projects such as Bloomfield Court (1996) and Adams Ridge Apts (1999) being completed during this period.
The LIHTC-funded housing in zip code 36089 offers a range of unit types, including 32 one-bedroom, 30 two-bedroom, 44 three-bedroom, and 4 four-bedroom units. This variety accommodates different household sizes and needs within the community. One notable project, Bloomfield Court, specifically targets individuals with mental illness, addressing a crucial need for supportive living environments for vulnerable populations.
Over the past decade, zip code 36089 has experienced fluctuations in population, with a slight overall decline from 7,359 in 2013 to 6,694 in 2022. Despite this population decrease, the median income has shown an upward trend, rising from $26,185 in 2013 to $41,921 in 2022. This increase in median income may suggest a changing economic landscape in the area.
The racial composition of zip code 36089 has remained relatively stable, with a predominantly Black population (68% in 2022) and a significant White minority (19% in 2022). There has been a notable increase in the Hispanic population, growing from 5% in 2013 to 11% in 2022, indicating increasing diversity in the area. While no new LIHTC projects have been built in the last decade, the existing affordable housing continues to play a crucial role in the community. The rising median income, coupled with a slight population decline, might suggest that the current affordable housing stock is meeting the area's needs for now.
Zip code 36089 has an established foundation of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, representing about 5% of the estimated housing stock. The area has seen investment in diverse unit types and specialized housing for mental health needs. While no new LIHTC projects have been built recently, demographic trends show a rising median income and increasing diversity, particularly in the Hispanic population. These factors, combined with the existing affordable housing stock, contribute to meeting the community's housing needs, though there may be room for future development to reach optimal affordable housing levels.
