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Affordable Housing in East Allentown: LIHTC Inventory 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
East Allentown, a neighborhood in Allentown, Pennsylvania, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory comprising 6 units, all of which are designated as low-income. This represents approximately 0.44% of the neighborhood's estimated 1,350 housing units.
The LIHTC program has provided $20,378 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in East Allentown, averaging $3,396 in federal funding per unit. Two LIHTC funded projects exist in the neighborhood: Union Street Apts, completed in 1988, and 240 E Hamilton St, completed in 1989. These projects indicate that affordable housing has been present in East Allentown for over three decades.
The 1980s saw the most affordable housing development in East Allentown, with both LIHTC projects completed during this decade. The housing units primarily consist of three-bedroom units (5 units) and one one-bedroom unit, suggesting a focus on accommodating families in the affordable housing stock.
East Allentown's population has fluctuated over the past decade, peaking at 4,445 residents in 2017 and decreasing to 3,525 by 2022. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $35,273 in 2013 to $56,933 in 2022, despite some fluctuations.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has changed significantly. The Hispanic population increased from 38% in 2013 to 51% in 2022, while the White population decreased from 40% to 34% during the same period. The Black population also increased from 6% to 14%.
Despite these demographic changes, no new LIHTC projects have been developed in the last decade. This could be attributed to various factors, including the overall increase in median income, which may have reduced the perceived need for additional affordable housing units.
East Allentown's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory, while small, has been a consistent part of the neighborhood for over 30 years. The existing units primarily cater to families with three-bedroom apartments. The neighborhood has experienced significant demographic shifts in the past decade, including an increase in median income and a more diverse racial composition. These changes may have influenced the lack of new LIHTC developments in recent years. Other affordable housing programs not captured in this data may also be contributing to meeting the neighborhood's housing needs.
