Loading Content...
Affordable Housing in Harlem Park: LIHTC's Impact on a Changing Baltimore Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Harlem Park, a neighborhood in Baltimore, Maryland, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood contains 439 total units in LIHTC funded projects, all of which are designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 3,907 and using the national average household size, the estimated housing inventory for the neighborhood is approximately 1,497 units. The LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises about 29.3% of the estimated housing inventory, representing a substantial portion of the neighborhood's housing stock.
The LIHTC program has invested significantly in Harlem Park, with project tax credits totaling $1,347,441. This equates to an average federal funding of about $3,069 per unit in LIHTC funded projects. The neighborhood has demonstrated a long-term commitment to affordable housing, with projects spanning from 1988 to 2018. The initial LIHTC project, Reservoir Hill IV, was completed in 1988, while the most recent additions, St. James Terrace Apartments and Heritage Crossing II, were both completed in 2018.
The 1990s saw the completion of two projects: Reservoir Hill VI in 1994 and Reservoir Hill VII in 1995. The early 2000s brought two more projects: Harlem Garden in 2002 and Edmondson Commons in 2004. The 2010s was the decade with the most affordable housing projects completed, with two projects finished in 2018.
The LIHTC funded housing in Harlem Park offers a range of unit types. The inventory includes 84 one-bedroom units, 70 two-bedroom units, 71 three-bedroom units, and 8 four-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating various family sizes and needs within the community. One notable project, Heritage Crossing II, completed in 2018, is specifically targeted towards individuals with special needs. This project demonstrates a commitment to addressing diverse housing requirements within the community.
Over the past decade, Harlem Park has experienced demographic shifts. The population has decreased from 4,551 in 2015 to 3,907 in 2022. Despite this population decline, the median income has shown an overall increase, rising from $18,912 in 2015 to $20,689 in 2022, with a peak of $24,677 in 2020. The racial composition of the neighborhood has also evolved. While predominantly African American, the percentage of Black residents has decreased from 96% in 2015 to 84% in 2022. Concurrently, there has been a slight increase in diversity, with small increases in the Hispanic, White, and multi-racial populations.
The completion of two LIHTC projects in 2018 aligns with a period of relative population stability and increasing median income, suggesting a continued need for affordable housing options in the neighborhood. Harlem Park demonstrates a substantial commitment to affordable housing through the LIHTC program, with nearly 30% of its estimated housing inventory dedicated to low-income units. The neighborhood has seen consistent investment in affordable housing over three decades, with projects tailored to various needs, including special needs populations. Despite a slight population decline, the increasing median income and evolving racial diversity indicate ongoing demographic changes that may continue to shape the neighborhood's affordable housing needs in the future.
