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Affordable Housing in Houston's Ost - South Union: LIHTC's Impact on Neighborhood Dynamics
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
The Ost - South Union neighborhood in Houston, Texas, exhibits a substantial presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area contains 912 units in LIHTC-funded projects, including 555 designated low-income units. This quantity represents approximately 12.6% of the neighborhood's estimated 7,216 housing units, based on the 2022 population of 18,834. This proportion approaches the target percentage for a well-balanced community.
The LIHTC program has allocated $739,345 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in this neighborhood, averaging approximately $811 per unit in federal funding. Affordable housing development has occurred steadily over two decades, with the initial project, Park Yellowstone Townhomes, completed in 1997, and the most recent, Village At Palm Center, finished in 2016.
The 2010s witnessed the highest number of affordable housing project completions, including 4415 Perry in 2012 and Village At Palm Center in 2016. The housing mix in LIHTC-funded projects comprises 152 one-bedroom, 234 two-bedroom, and 72 three-bedroom units, providing options for various household sizes. The Village At Palm Center project specifically targets the "Total Special Needs" population, likely offering specialized amenities and services for residents with physical, mental, or developmental challenges.
The neighborhood's population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 18,500 and 19,600 residents. The median income has increased gradually from $29,455 in 2013 to $30,845 in 2022, indicating a slight improvement in economic conditions.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has experienced shifts. The Black population, while maintaining a majority, has decreased from 79% in 2013 to 68% in 2022. Conversely, the Hispanic population has grown from 19% to 24% during the same period. The White population has also increased slightly from 1% to 4%.
These demographic changes, combined with modest income growth, suggest a continued need for affordable housing in the neighborhood. The completion of the Village At Palm Center in 2016 aligns with these trends, addressing the evolving needs of the community.
The Ost - South Union neighborhood in Houston demonstrates a substantial LIHTC-funded affordable housing presence, with 912 total units representing about 12.6% of the estimated housing inventory. Consistent development of affordable housing projects occurred from 1997 to 2016, focusing on diverse unit types to accommodate various household sizes. The most recent project, Village At Palm Center, targets special needs populations, indicating a response to specific community requirements. Despite demographic shifts and modest income growth over the past decade, the continued development of affordable housing through 2016 suggests an ongoing commitment to meeting the neighborhood's housing needs.
