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Affordable Housing in Central City, Pennsylvania: A Single LIHTC Project's Impact
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Central City, Pennsylvania, a small community with a coal mining history, has 24 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing units. These units, all designated as low-income, represent approximately 6% of the city's estimated 400 housing units. This percentage indicates LIHTC projects contribute to the community's affordable housing needs, though it falls short of the 15-20% typically targeted for a well-balanced city.
The LIHTC program has allocated $43,120 in tax credits to Central City for affordable housing development. This allocation represents about 0.01% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small share of the state's affordable housing resources. The average federal funding per project is $43,120, or approximately $1,797 per unit.
Somerset Manor, completed in 1991, is the sole LIHTC project in Central City. This project has provided affordable housing options for over three decades, consisting of 24 one-bedroom units catering to individuals or small households in need of affordable housing.
Central City's population has fluctuated over the past decade, decreasing from 1,028 to 1,045 residents between 2013 and 2022. Despite this slight overall decline, the median income has increased from $38,054 in 2013 to $41,666 in 2022. This rise in median income may suggest a reduced need for additional affordable housing projects in recent years.
The racial distribution in Central City has remained predominantly white, consistently above 97% throughout the observed period. The racial composition has shown minimal changes in diversity over the years.
In conclusion, Central City's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory, though modest, has been a long-standing component of the community's housing landscape. Somerset Manor, providing 24 one-bedroom units for low-income residents since 1991, represents the entirety of LIHTC-funded housing in the area. While the percentage of affordable housing is below typical targets for a well-balanced city, the stable population and increasing median income in recent years may indicate a reduced demand for additional LIHTC projects. The city's demographic trends, characterized by a slight population decrease and rising median income, provide context for understanding the current state of affordable housing needs in Central City.
