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Affordable Housing in Browning, Montana: LIHTC's Impact on a Native American Community
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Browning, Montana, a small town with a predominant Native American population, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory of 24 units. These units, all designated as low-income, comprise approximately 9.4% of the city's estimated 254 housing units. While this percentage falls below the ideal 15-20% target for affordable housing, it represents a significant contribution to addressing the community's housing needs.
The LIHTC program has invested $18,936,750 in tax credits for affordable housing in Browning. This investment translates to an average of $18,936,750 per project and approximately $789,031 per unit. Notably, Browning's allocation accounts for 10.28% of Montana's total LIHTC funding, a substantial portion for a small town.
Browning's sole LIHTC project, Blackfeet Homes V, was completed in 2014. This development consists of 24 units, equally divided between three-bedroom and four-bedroom apartments, addressing the needs of larger families in the community.
Demographic trends in Browning over the past decade reveal fluctuations in population and income. The population peaked at 924 in 2012 and declined to 664 by 2022. Median income varied from a low of $16,773 in 2016 to a high of $25,692 in 2019, settling at $24,562 in 2022.
The racial composition of Browning is predominantly Native American, consistently representing over 85% of the population throughout the decade. In 2022, 95% of the population identified as Native American, with a small percentage of white residents and a minimal Asian presence.
The completion of the Blackfeet Homes V project in 2014 coincides with a period of relative population stability and modest income growth in Browning. The focus on larger units aligns with the community's needs, particularly considering the significant Native American population, which often has larger family sizes.
In conclusion, Browning's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while not meeting all of the city's needs, represents a substantial investment in the community. The single project provides 24 units of affordable housing, focusing on larger families. The high percentage of state LIHTC funding allocated to Browning underscores the importance of affordable housing in this small Montana town. As demographic trends continue to evolve, ongoing assessment of housing needs will be crucial to ensure adequate affordable housing for Browning's residents.
