Loading Content...
Affordable Housing in Amphi: LIHTC Projects and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
The Amphi neighborhood in Tucson, Arizona, features a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood contains 174 units in LIHTC-funded projects, including 65 designated low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 8,386 and the national average household size, an estimated 3,213 housing units exist in the neighborhood. LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 5.4% of the estimated housing inventory, contributing to the neighborhood's affordable housing stock but falling short of the 15-20% range considered ideal for a well-balanced community.
Affordable housing has been part of Amphi's landscape for nearly three decades. The earliest LIHTC projects, Fontana Gardens Apartments, Yavapai Apartments, and Yavapai Hacienda Apartments, were completed in 1993. The most recent project, Casa Bonitas Phases I & II, was completed in 2004, demonstrating a long-term commitment to affordable housing in the area.
The 1990s saw the most significant development of LIHTC projects in Amphi. Five out of the six projects were completed during this decade, including Fontana Hacienda and Hacienda Fontana Apartments in 1994. The neighborhood's LIHTC-funded housing stock comprises a mix of unit types, including 16 efficiencies, 100 one-bedroom units, 1 two-bedroom unit, and 48 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating various household sizes, with an emphasis on smaller households and families.
One notable project, Casa Bonitas Phases I & II, completed in 2004, specifically targets individuals with Serious Mental Illness. This project addresses the housing needs of a vulnerable population within the community.
Over the past decade, Amphi's population has fluctuated, peaking at 9,404 in 2016 before declining to 8,386 in 2022. Despite this population decrease, the median income has shown a general upward trend, rising from $23,167 in 2013 to $29,188 in 2022. This income growth may indicate changing economic conditions in the neighborhood.
Racial demographics have also shifted. The Hispanic population increased from 46% in 2013 to 47% in 2022, while the White population decreased from 37% to 31% during the same period. The Asian population increased slightly from 4% to 7%, and the percentage of residents identifying as two or more races doubled from 3% to 6%. While no new LIHTC projects have been built in the last decade, the demographic shifts and income trends suggest a continuing need for affordable housing options in Amphi.
The Amphi neighborhood in Tucson has an established foundation of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, with projects dating back to the early 1990s. The existing 174 units, including 65 low-income units, contribute to addressing affordable housing needs, though they represent a relatively small portion of the estimated housing inventory. The mix of unit types and the inclusion of targeted housing for individuals with serious mental illness demonstrate efforts to meet diverse housing needs. While demographic shifts and income growth have occurred over the past decade, the lack of recent LIHTC developments suggests potential opportunities for further affordable housing initiatives to keep pace with the neighborhood's evolving needs.
