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Affordable Housing in Hazleton: LIHTC's Impact on a Changing City
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Hazleton, a city in Pennsylvania, possesses a limited Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city has 48 affordable units, all categorized as low-income. Based on the 2022 population estimate, the city's housing inventory is approximately 11,368 units, with LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprising about 0.42% of the total housing stock.
Hazleton has received $827,850 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With three projects, this amounts to an average federal funding of $275,950 per project and $17,247 per unit. The city accounts for 0.14% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small portion of the state's affordable housing resources.
The first LIHTC project in Hazleton, St Gabriel House, was completed in 1999, while the most recent project, Gennaro Gardens, was finished in 2016. This 17-year span demonstrates a consistent, albeit limited, commitment to affordable housing development in the city. The 2010s saw the most affordable housing activity, with Gennaro Gardens being the decade's notable project.
The LIHTC-funded housing inventory in Hazleton consists primarily of one-bedroom units (42), followed by two-bedroom units (4), and efficiencies (2). This distribution indicates a focus on housing for smaller households or individuals.
Over the past decade, Hazleton's population has grown from 24,869 in 2017 to 29,671 in 2022, an increase of approximately 19%. During this period, the median income fluctuated, rising from $42,625 in 2017 to a peak of $43,792 in 2018, before declining to $41,681 in 2022. This trend suggests a potential increase in demand for affordable housing options.
Hazleton's racial demographics have shifted notably. The Hispanic population has grown from 54% in 2017 to 62% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 42% to 34% during the same period. The black population increased slightly from 2% to 3%. These changes in racial composition may impact the need for culturally sensitive affordable housing solutions.
Hazleton's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while modest, has been developed over nearly two decades. The city's changing demographics, including population growth and shifts in racial composition, coupled with fluctuating median incomes, suggest an evolving need for affordable housing. The focus on one-bedroom units in recent projects aligns with the needs of smaller households. As Hazleton continues to grow and change, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial to ensure adequate housing options for all residents.
