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Affordable Housing in Billings' West End: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
The West End neighborhood of Billings, Montana, has a notable presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. With 266 units in LIHTC-funded projects, including 121 designated low-income units, this neighborhood has provided affordable housing options. Based on the 2022 population of 25,007 and an estimated 9,581 housing units, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 2.8% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC program has invested in the West End neighborhood, with project tax credits totaling $891,514. This translates to an average federal funding of about $3,352 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects. The neighborhood has seen affordable housing development from 1994 to 2008, indicating over a decade of commitment to affordable housing initiatives.
The first LIHTC project in the area, Shiloh Glen Apartments, was completed in 1994, while the most recent, South Forty, was finished in 2008. The 2000s saw the most activity in affordable housing development, with two out of the three projects completed during this decade.
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in West End offers a range of unit types. The inventory includes 2 efficiencies, 88 one-bedroom units, 59 two-bedroom units, and 18 three-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Over the past decade, the West End neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts. The population has grown from 23,835 in 2013 to 25,007 in 2022, indicating a steady increase. Median income has risen from $57,176 in 2013 to $69,046 in 2022, suggesting economic improvement in the area.
Racial composition has remained relatively stable, with a decrease in the white population from 93% in 2013 to 87% in 2022. There has been an increase in Hispanic residents, from 2% to 7% during the same period. These demographic changes, particularly the rising median income, may partially explain why no new LIHTC projects have been developed in the neighborhood since 2008.
The West End neighborhood of Billings has a foundation of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, developed primarily between 1994 and 2008. While the current inventory represents a small percentage of the estimated housing stock, it provides options for low-income residents. The neighborhood has experienced population growth and income increases over the past decade, which may have influenced the lack of new LIHTC developments in recent years. Ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial to ensure a balanced housing market for all residents.
