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Affordable Housing in Brier Hill: LIHTC 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
Brier Hill, a neighborhood in Youngstown, Ohio, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory comprises 106 total units, all designated as low-income units. This affordable housing stock addresses a substantial portion of the community's housing needs.
The LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 7.7% of the total housing inventory, based on an estimated 1,374 housing units in the neighborhood. This percentage indicates that LIHTC projects contribute significantly to the neighborhood's affordable housing options, although it falls below the 15-20% range typically recommended for a well-balanced community.
The LIHTC program has invested considerably in Brier Hill, with project tax credits totaling $889,950. This equates to an average federal funding of $8,395 per unit, demonstrating a substantial commitment to affordable housing in the area.
Affordable housing has been a long-standing feature of Brier Hill, with the first LIHTC project, Covington, completed in 1988. The most recent project, Choice Elderly II, was completed in 2009, indicating over two decades of LIHTC investment in the neighborhood. The 2000s saw the most activity in affordable housing development, with four out of the five projects completed during this decade.
The LIHTC-funded housing in Brier Hill offers a diverse range of unit types, including one one-bedroom unit, seven two-bedroom units, 48 three-bedroom units, and 19 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating families and larger households. One notable project, Youngstown Choice Homes IV, completed in 2001, specifically targets single parents, likely addressing the unique needs of this demographic.
Over the past decade, Brier Hill has experienced a significant population decline, from 4,236 residents in 2019 to 3,587 in 2022. Despite this decrease, the median income has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between $27,152 and $30,947 during this period. This stability in income levels suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing options in the neighborhood.
The racial composition of Brier Hill has shown some shifts in recent years. The white population decreased from 54% in 2019 to 49% in 2022, while the Black population decreased from 39% to 37% during the same period. The Hispanic population grew from 2% to 5%. These demographic changes may influence future affordable housing needs and considerations.
Brier Hill's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a crucial role in meeting the community's housing needs, covering 7.7% of the estimated housing stock. The neighborhood has benefited from over two decades of LIHTC investments, with a concentration of development in the 2000s. The diverse unit mix, including a project targeting single parents, reflects efforts to accommodate various household sizes and needs. While the population has declined in recent years, the relatively stable median income and changing racial composition suggest an ongoing demand for affordable housing options in Brier Hill.
