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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Columbus Square, located in St. Louis, Missouri, possesses a substantial inventory of affordable housing funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The neighborhood contains 95 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 72 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 518 and an estimated 198 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 47.9% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. This proportion indicates LIHTC's crucial role in providing affordable housing options in Columbus Square.
The LIHTC program has invested $925,000 in project tax credits for affordable housing in Columbus Square. This investment translates to an average federal funding of approximately $9,737 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood. The most recent LIHTC projects, Cochran Gardens Phase II and Cochran Gardens II B, were completed in 2009, representing the latest additions to the affordable housing stock in Columbus Square.
The LIHTC-funded housing in Columbus Square offers a diverse range of unit types. Of the 95 total units, there are 18 one-bedroom units, 50 two-bedroom units, 14 three-bedroom units, and 11 four-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating families of various sizes within the affordable housing inventory.
Columbus Square has experienced significant demographic shifts over the past decade. The population has declined from 1,093 in 2015 to 518 in 2022, a decrease of approximately 52.6%. Despite this population decrease, the median income has increased substantially from $14,470 in 2015 to $25,676 in 2022, nearly doubling over this period.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has remained predominantly Black, although there has been a slight decrease from 99% in 2015 to 94% in 2022. Concurrently, there has been a small increase in the White population and those identifying as two or more races.
These demographic trends, particularly the declining population and increasing median income, may have implications for future affordable housing needs in Columbus Square. The rising median income could potentially reduce the demand for affordable housing, while the population decline might affect overall housing demand in the neighborhood.
Columbus Square's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in the neighborhood's housing landscape, covering nearly half of the estimated housing units. The neighborhood has benefited from substantial LIHTC investment, resulting in a diverse range of affordable housing options. While the most recent LIHTC projects were completed in 2009, the demographic shifts over the past decade, including population decline and increasing median income, may influence future affordable housing needs in the area. These trends underscore the importance of ongoing assessment and adaptation of affordable housing strategies to meet the evolving needs of Columbus Square's residents.