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Affordable Housing in Central East Austin: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
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 East Austin, a neighborhood in Austin, Texas, has a significant presence of affordable housing funded through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The neighborhood contains 579 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 235 of these specifically designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 5,710 and an estimated 2,188 housing units, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 26.5% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. This percentage indicates a substantial contribution to the area's affordable housing needs.
The LIHTC program has been supporting affordable housing in Central East Austin for over three decades. The earliest recorded project, "1900 New York Ave," was completed in 1988, while "Scattered Cop Infill Housing" followed in 1994. This indicates a long-standing commitment to affordable housing in the neighborhood. The 1980s and 1990s appear to be significant decades for LIHTC development in the area.
The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory includes a diverse range of unit types. There are 100 one-bedroom units, 92 two-bedroom units, 116 three-bedroom units, and 23 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests an effort to accommodate various household sizes and needs within the affordable housing stock.
Over the past decade, Central East Austin has experienced significant demographic changes alongside its LIHTC developments. The population has grown from 4,350 in 2013 to 5,710 in 2022, representing a 31.3% increase. This growth may have influenced the demand for affordable housing in the area.
Median income in the neighborhood has also seen a substantial rise, from $46,833 in 2013 to $75,652 in 2022, a 61.5% increase. Despite this overall income growth, the continued presence of LIHTC projects suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing options.
Racial demographics have shifted as well. The Hispanic population decreased from 37% in 2013 to 29% in 2022, while the white population increased from 38% to 47% during the same period. The Black population has remained relatively stable, moving from 22% to 16%. These changes in racial composition may reflect broader neighborhood trends and could influence the focus of future affordable housing initiatives.
Central East Austin demonstrates a significant commitment to affordable housing through its LIHTC-funded projects. With 579 total units, including 235 low-income units, these developments cover over a quarter of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood has seen LIHTC projects spanning several decades, indicating a long-term approach to addressing affordable housing needs.
The area has experienced notable demographic shifts in the past decade, including population growth, rising median incomes, and changes in racial composition. Despite the increase in median income, the continued presence and development of LIHTC projects suggest an ongoing demand for affordable housing options in Central East Austin. The diverse range of unit types in these projects reflects an effort to meet the varied needs of the community's low-income residents.
