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Affordable Housing in Colton, California: LIHTC Funding Impact on Railroad City
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Colton, a city in California, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory of 338 total units, with 334 designated as low-income units. This affordable housing stock comprises approximately 1.34% of the estimated 25,182 housing units in Colton, based on the 2022 population of 65,725 and the national average household size.
The city has received $1,026,805 in project tax credits from the LIHTC program. With three projects, this translates to an average of $342,268 per project, or $3,037 per unit. Colton holds 0.03% of California's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small share of the state's affordable housing initiatives.
The LIHTC program in Colton spans from 1999 to 2014, demonstrating a 15-year history of affordable housing development. The 1990s saw the most activity, with two projects completed in 1999: Nova Pointe Apartments Phase I and Phase II. The most recent project, Arbor Terrace, was completed in 2014.
The LIHTC-funded housing in Colton consists primarily of one and two-bedroom units, with 106 and 126 units respectively. There are also 43 three-bedroom units, providing options for larger families. The absence of efficiency units suggests a focus on accommodating families rather than individuals.
Over the past decade, Colton's population has remained relatively stable, with minor fluctuations. The median income has shown a general upward trend, increasing from $51,084 in 2013 to $62,382 in 2022. This rise in median income might partially explain the lack of new LIHTC projects since 2014, as the overall economic situation of residents may have improved.
Regarding racial demographics, the Hispanic population has consistently been the majority, ranging from 69% to 73% over the past decade. The white population has slightly decreased from 18% in 2019 to 13% in 2022, while the Black population has marginally increased from 6% to 8% during the same period. The Asian population has remained relatively stable at around 4-5%.
Colton's LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents a small but significant portion of the city's estimated housing inventory. The program has provided 338 units over a 15-year period, with the majority of development occurring in the late 1990s. While no new LIHTC projects have been completed since 2014, this could be partially attributed to the rising median income in the city. The housing mix primarily caters to small and medium-sized families, aligning with the city's demographic composition. The existing affordable housing stock continues to play a crucial role in Colton's housing landscape.
