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Affordable Housing in Brookstown: LIHTC's Impact on a Primarily Black 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
Brookstown, a neighborhood in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area contains 103 total units in LIHTC funded projects, with 7 specifically designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 5,892 and using the national average household size, the estimated housing inventory for the neighborhood is approximately 2,257 units. The LIHTC funded affordable housing covers about 4.56% of the estimated housing inventory in Brookstown.
The LIHTC program has invested significantly in Brookstown, with project tax credits totaling $413,069. This translates to an average federal funding of approximately $4,010 per unit in LIHTC funded projects. The neighborhood has seen a steady development of affordable housing over time, with the earliest recorded project, Hollywood Homes, completed in 2004, and the most recent, Elm Drive Senior Apartments, finished in 2014. This indicates at least a decade of continuous affordable housing development in the area.
The 2000s and early 2010s were particularly active for affordable housing construction in Brookstown. Notable projects include Banyan Trace Homes I and II, completed in 2005 and 2006 respectively, and Spanish Arms Apartments, finished in 2008. The year 2012 saw the completion of two projects: Autumn Place Townhomes and Mt. Carmel Gardens.
The LIHTC funded housing in Brookstown offers a diverse range of unit types. The inventory includes 18 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units, 61 three-bedroom units, and 9 four-bedroom units, catering to various family sizes and needs. Some projects have specific target populations. For instance, Hollywood Homes, completed in 2004, is designed for special needs residents, potentially offering specialized services or accommodations. Spanish Arms Apartments, finished in 2008, focused on acquisition and rehabilitation, suggesting an effort to preserve and improve existing affordable housing stock.
Over the past decade, Brookstown's population has fluctuated, with a general downward trend from 6,575 in 2014 to 5,892 in 2022. The median income has also seen variations, decreasing from $28,850 in 2014 to $23,504 in 2022. The racial composition has remained relatively stable, with a predominant Black population (around 88-91% over the past decade) and a slight increase in Hispanic residents (from 0% in 2014 to 5% in 2022). These demographic shifts, particularly the declining population and fluctuating income levels, may have influenced the need for and development of affordable housing in the area. The consistent racial composition suggests that LIHTC projects have been serving a primarily Black community.
Brookstown's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of its estimated housing stock. The neighborhood has seen steady development of affordable housing projects over at least a decade, with a diverse range of unit types to accommodate various household sizes. The LIHTC program has provided substantial funding per unit, supporting projects that cater to specific needs such as special needs housing and rehabilitation of existing structures. While demographic trends show a slight population decline and fluctuating income levels, the consistent racial composition indicates that these affordable housing projects have been serving a primarily Black community. This analysis provides insights into how LIHTC funded housing contributes to meeting affordable housing needs in Brookstown, though other housing programs may also be contributing to the overall affordable housing landscape in the area.
