Loading Content...
Affordable Housing in Decatur, Texas: A Two-Decade Stagnation Amid Population Growth
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Decatur, Texas, a city with a population of 14,283 as of 2022, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory comprising 130 units. All of these units are designated as low-income. Given the estimated housing inventory of 5,472 units, LIHTC funded affordable housing represents approximately 2.38% of the city's housing stock.
The city's LIHTC funded projects consist of two developments: Eagles Ridge Terrace and Legacy Trails of Decatur. Eagles Ridge Terrace, completed in 2000, offers 89 low-income units, including 32 one-bedroom, 5 two-bedroom, and 8 three-bedroom apartments. Legacy Trails of Decatur provides 41 low-income units, though specific unit breakdowns are not available. The presence of LIHTC funded affordable housing in Decatur spans over two decades, with Eagles Ridge Terrace being the first project completed in 2000.
Decatur's population has grown from 10,950 in 2013 to 14,283 in 2022, an increase of about 30%. During this period, the median income fluctuated, reaching a peak of $86,274 in 2021 before decreasing to $70,190 in 2022. The racial composition of the city has also shifted, with the Hispanic population increasing from 28% in 2013 to 34% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 68% to 61% during the same period.
Despite these demographic changes, there have been no new LIHTC funded projects in Decatur since 2000. This could be attributed to various factors, including changes in local housing policies, economic conditions, or the availability of alternative affordable housing programs.
Decatur's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory, while modest at 2.38% of the estimated housing stock, provides 130 low-income units through two projects. The city has experienced significant population growth and demographic shifts over the past decade, particularly in its Hispanic population. However, LIHTC funded affordable housing development has not kept pace with these changes, with no new projects since 2000. This analysis highlights the need for ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs in Decatur, considering its evolving demographic landscape.
