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Affordable Housing Development in West Rock: LIHTC's Impact on a Changing Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
West Rock, a neighborhood in New Haven, Connecticut, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory consists of 313 total units, with 199 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 11,078 and an estimated 4,244 housing units, the LIHTC funded affordable housing covers approximately 7.4% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in West Rock have received $4,822,207 in project tax credits, averaging about $15,406 per unit. This investment demonstrates a commitment to providing affordable housing options in the area. The earliest recorded LIHTC project in West Rock was Park Ridge II, completed in 2007. The most recent projects with known completion dates were built in 2013, including 122 Wilmot Road and Rockview Phase I Rental. This indicates at least six years of LIHTC development activity in the neighborhood.
The years 2012 and 2013 saw the most LIHTC project completions, with notable developments such as Brookside Phase II Rental, 122 Wilmot Road, and Rockview Phase I Rental. These projects contributed significantly to the affordable housing stock in West Rock during this period. The LIHTC-funded housing in West Rock offers a range of unit types, with 117 one-bedroom, 91 two-bedroom, 101 three-bedroom, and 4 four-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Several projects in West Rock target specific populations. Brookside Phase II Rental, 122 Wilmot Road, and Rockview Phase I Rental all focus on supportive housing. This suggests an effort to provide housing for individuals who may require additional services or assistance beyond affordable rent.
Over the past decade, West Rock has experienced population growth, increasing from 8,120 in 2013 to 11,078 in 2022. During this period, the median income has risen from $72,548 in 2013 to $79,271 in 2022, indicating some economic improvement in the area. The racial composition of West Rock has shifted. The Black population decreased slightly from 30% in 2013 to 29% in 2022, while the Hispanic population grew from 7% to 25%. The White population decreased from 52% to 40% during this period. These demographic changes may reflect evolving housing needs in the neighborhood.
West Rock's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant investment in addressing low-income housing needs. The neighborhood has seen consistent development of affordable units, with a focus on supportive housing in recent years. The diverse unit types cater to various household sizes, and the tax credit investment demonstrates a commitment to affordable housing. As the neighborhood's demographics continue to evolve, with growing population and shifting racial composition, the LIHTC projects play a role in maintaining housing affordability and diversity in West Rock.
