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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Akron, Ohio, formerly known for its tire manufacturing industry, possesses a substantial inventory of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The city has 3,607 units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 3,076 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 5% of Akron's estimated housing stock of 72,221 units.
Akron has received $14,765,723 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With approximately 74 projects, this equates to an average of $199,536 in federal funding per project and $4,094 in federal funding per unit. Akron's allocation represents 3.47% of Ohio's total LIHTC funding.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing began in 1987 with projects such as the Akron Section 8 Rehabilitation and Sun Valley Apartments. The most recent project, Stoney Pointe Commons II, was completed in 2020, spanning over three decades of affordable housing development in Akron.
The 1980s witnessed a significant increase in affordable housing projects in Akron, with numerous developments completed during this period. Notable projects from this era include Parkwood Apartments, Spring Meadows, and East Crown Apartments.
Akron's LIHTC-funded housing stock comprises various unit types. The inventory includes 1,041 one-bedroom units, 386 two-bedroom units, 514 three-bedroom units, and 365 four-bedroom units, accommodating diverse household sizes and needs. One notable project with a specific target population is Summit Lake Homes, completed in 2001, which focuses on single parents.
Over the past decade, Akron has experienced a slight population decline, from 197,597 in 2019 to 188,498 in 2022. During this period, the median income increased from $41,013 in 2019 to $45,534 in 2022. The racial composition has remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations in the Black and Asian populations.
Despite the overall population decline, the continued development of LIHTC projects in recent years suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing in Akron. This may be attributed to the rising median income, which could potentially price out some residents from market-rate housing.
Akron's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant investment in addressing the housing needs of low-income residents. With over 3,600 units across approximately 74 projects, the program has contributed to diversifying the city's housing stock over more than three decades. While the LIHTC-funded units cover about 5% of the estimated housing inventory, they play a crucial role in providing affordable options in a city experiencing rising median incomes. The continued development of LIHTC projects, even amidst slight population decline, underscores the ongoing importance of affordable housing initiatives in Akron.