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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Huntsville, Alabama, known as "Rocket City," has a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city has 1,906 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 1,547 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated 85,197 housing units in the city, LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 2.24% of Huntsville's housing inventory.
Huntsville has received $10,365,267 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 27 projects, this translates to an average of $383,899 in federal funding per project. The average federal funding per unit is $5,438. Huntsville holds 5.82% of Alabama's total LIHTC funding.
The city's LIHTC-funded affordable housing development spans over three decades, from the Summer Breeze Apartments completed in 1988 to the most recent Stoneridge Villas (formerly known as Balch Road Senior Cottages) completed in 2019. The 1990s saw the most affordable housing projects completed, with notable developments including Burgundy Square, Wilshire Park, and Seven Pines Apartments all completed in 1990.
The LIHTC-funded housing inventory in Huntsville includes a mix of unit types, with 537 one-bedroom, 775 two-bedroom, 320 three-bedroom, and 2 four-bedroom units. This distribution caters to various household sizes and needs. Several projects in Huntsville target specific populations. For instance, Castlewood Apartments, Garden Park Apartments, and Olympia Gardens, all completed in the early 2000s, are designed to serve individuals with mental illness, addressing a crucial need in the community.
Over the past decade, Huntsville has experienced significant population growth, increasing from 181,126 in 2010 to 222,363 in 2022. This 22.8% growth rate suggests a rising demand for housing, including affordable options. The median income has also seen an upward trend, rising from $48,199 in 2013 to $68,930 in 2022, a 43% increase. This income growth may indicate a growing need for affordable housing options for those not benefiting from the economic expansion.
Regarding racial demographics, Huntsville has maintained a relatively stable racial composition over the past decade. The white population has slightly increased from 58% in 2013 to 58% in 2022, while the Black population has decreased from 31% to 28% in the same period. The Hispanic population has remained steady at around 6-7%. This relative stability suggests that LIHTC projects have been serving a consistent demographic mix over time.
Huntsville's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while significant, covers a small percentage of the city's total housing stock. The city has consistently developed affordable housing projects over three decades, with a focus on diverse unit types and some specialized projects for individuals with mental illness. As Huntsville continues to grow in population and median income, maintaining and expanding affordable housing options will likely remain a key consideration for city planners and policymakers.