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Affordable Housing in Dubuque: Three Decades of LIHTC Implementation
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Dubuque, an Iowa city situated on the Mississippi River, is known for its port history and bluffs. The city's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory comprises 696 total units, with 537 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 67,773 and an estimated 25,967 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 2.68% of the city's estimated housing inventory.
Dubuque has received $6,377,002.91 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 20 projects, this equates to an average of $318,850 in federal funding per project. The average federal funding per unit is $9,162, considering the total of 696 units in LIHTC-funded projects. Dubuque holds 3.02% of Iowa's total LIHTC funding, indicating a significant portion of the state's affordable housing resources.
The city's LIHTC-funded affordable housing program began in 1988 with the project at 2605 & 2605 1/2 White St. The most recent projects, completed in 2019, are the Fifteenth Street Apartments and Marquette Hall, demonstrating over three decades of affordable housing development in Dubuque. The 1990s saw the most activity in affordable housing development, with multiple projects completed during this decade, including Maler's & Schmidt Apts, Martha's Haas, and Applewood Senior Apts I and II.
The LIHTC-funded projects in Dubuque offer a range of housing options. There are 313 one-bedroom units, 210 two-bedroom units, and 16 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating smaller households and potentially senior citizens.
Over the past decade, Dubuque's population has increased from 65,625 in 2013 to 67,773 in 2022. During this period, the median income rose from $53,771 in 2013 to $65,437 in 2022, indicating improved economic conditions for many residents. The racial composition of Dubuque has become slightly more diverse. While the white population remains the majority, decreasing from 91% in 2013 to 87% in 2022, there has been a small increase in other racial groups. The black population grew from 1% to 4% during this period.
The continued development of LIHTC projects, including recent completions in 2019, suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing despite the overall increase in median income. This could be due to income inequality or specific demographic groups requiring affordable housing options.
Dubuque's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a modest but important role in the city's housing landscape, covering about 2.68% of the estimated housing units. With over 30 years of LIHTC project development, the city has maintained a consistent focus on providing affordable housing options. The distribution of unit types suggests a tailored approach to meet diverse housing needs. While the city has experienced population growth and increased median income over the past decade, the continued development of LIHTC projects indicates an ongoing demand for affordable housing options in Dubuque.
