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Affordable Housing in Brownsville: LIHTC Impact on Small Pennsylvania Borough
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Brownsville in Pennsylvania possesses a unique Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory that addresses the city's housing needs. The borough has 58 total affordable units, all of which are designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated housing inventory of 924 units, the LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises approximately 6.3% of the city's housing stock.
Brownsville has received $730,312 in project tax credits from the LIHTC program. With two projects, this translates to an average federal funding of $365,156 per project. The average federal funding per unit is $12,591. Brownsville holds 0.12% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding allocation.
The city's affordable housing development spans over two decades. The first project, Brownsville House Apts, was completed in 1996, and the most recent project, Brownsville Senior Housing, was finished in 2017. The 2010s marked the most recent development in affordable housing with the completion of Brownsville Senior Housing.
The LIHTC funded housing inventory in Brownsville primarily consists of one-bedroom units, with 36 in total, complemented by 4 two-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating smaller households or individuals.
Over the past decade, Brownsville has experienced slight fluctuations in its population, with an overall increase from 2,358 in 2010 to 2,411 in 2022. The median income has shown significant improvement, rising from $21,166 in 2013 to $30,523 in 2022, suggesting a potential increase in economic opportunities for residents.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in diversity. The white population decreased marginally from 83% in 2019 to 80% in 2022, while the black population increased from 9% to 14% during the same period. This subtle shift may reflect changing housing needs and preferences within the community.
The completion of Brownsville Senior Housing in 2017 aligns with the period of population growth and income improvement, suggesting a response to evolving community needs.
Brownsville's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory, while modest in size, contributes to addressing the city's housing needs. The two projects, spanning from 1996 to 2017, demonstrate a long-term commitment to affordable housing. The focus on one-bedroom units indicates an emphasis on serving smaller households. Recent demographic trends, including population growth and income improvement, provide context for the timing of the most recent affordable housing development. As the city continues to evolve, monitoring these trends will be crucial for future affordable housing planning and development.
