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Affordable Housing and Demographic Shifts in St. Louis Zip Code 63118: A Three-Decade LIHTC Analysis
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 63118 in St. Louis, Missouri, contains a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. This area has 315 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, including 297 designated low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 27,113 and an estimated 10,388 housing units, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 3.03% of the zip code's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in zip code 63118 have received $1,221,423 in project tax credits, averaging about $3,877 in federal funding per unit. This zip code holds 0.35% of Missouri's total LIHTC funding, indicating a notable concentration of affordable housing investment in this area.
Affordable housing has been present in zip code 63118 for over three decades. The earliest LIHTC projects, "2600-02 Oregon" and "2654 Osage St," were completed in 1989. The most recent project, "Chippewa Park," was completed in 2020, demonstrating ongoing investment in affordable housing. The 1990s saw significant affordable housing development, with projects like "Iowa Avenue Townhomes" (1994), "Chippewa Affordable Apts" (1995), and "California Townhomes" (1996) being completed.
The LIHTC-funded projects in zip code 63118 offer a diverse range of unit types. There are 50 one-bedroom units, 156 two-bedroom units, 69 three-bedroom units, and 7 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating various household sizes, with a particular emphasis on two-bedroom units. Two projects, "East Fox Homes" (2017) and "Chippewa Park" (2020), are specifically targeted towards individuals with handicaps.
Over the past decade, zip code 63118 has experienced demographic shifts. The population decreased from 28,441 in 2015 to 27,113 in 2022. However, the median income rose from $33,267 in 2015 to $49,664 in 2022, indicating improved economic conditions for residents. Racial demographics have also changed. The Black population decreased from 48% in 2015 to 44% in 2022, while the White population increased from 37% to 42%. The Hispanic population remained relatively stable at around 6-7%.
Despite the overall increase in median income, the continued development of LIHTC projects indicates an ongoing need for affordable housing in zip code 63118. The 315 LIHTC units represent a small portion of the estimated housing stock but provide crucial affordable options for low-income residents. The area has seen demographic changes, including rising median incomes and shifts in racial composition, yet the continued development of LIHTC projects suggests a persistent demand for affordable housing. The diverse unit types and targeted projects for individuals with handicaps demonstrate efforts to meet varied housing needs within the community.
