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Affordable Housing in El Paso Lower Valley: LIHTC Projects and Demographic Trends
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
El Paso Lower Valley, a neighborhood in El Paso, Texas, contains Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area has 238 affordable units, all classified as low-income. These units represent approximately 16.6% of the neighborhood's estimated 1,432 housing units, aligning with the target percentage for affordable housing in a balanced community.
The neighborhood features two LIHTC funded projects: Desert Villas and John Cramer Memorial Apartments. Desert Villas, completed in 2010, offers 94 units, while John Cramer Memorial Apartments provides 144 units. The 2010s appear to be the primary period of affordable housing development in this area.
Desert Villas' unit distribution includes 14 one-bedroom, 4 two-bedroom, 36 three-bedroom, and 4 four-bedroom units. This diverse mix accommodates various household sizes, with an emphasis on larger families as evidenced by the higher number of three-bedroom units.
El Paso Lower Valley has experienced a declining population trend over the past decade, decreasing from 4,633 residents in 2017 to 3,737 in 2022, a reduction of approximately 19.3% in five years. The median income has fluctuated but generally remained low, ranging from $23,447 to $26,835 during this period.
The neighborhood's racial composition has remained relatively stable, with a predominantly Hispanic population (97-98%) throughout the past decade. This demographic consistency suggests that the LIHTC projects have been serving a community with consistent ethnic makeup and economic needs.
The declining population may indicate reduced pressure on housing demand, potentially explaining the absence of new LIHTC projects in recent years. However, the persistently low median income underscores the ongoing need for affordable housing options in the neighborhood.
El Paso Lower Valley's affordable housing landscape is characterized by two LIHTC funded projects providing 238 low-income units, accounting for about 16.6% of the estimated housing stock. This aligns with recommended targets for affordable housing. The neighborhood has experienced population decline and consistently low median incomes over the past decade, with a stable, predominantly Hispanic demographic. While no recent LIHTC developments have been recorded, the existing projects continue to play a crucial role in meeting the community's affordable housing needs.
