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Affordable Housing in Immokalee: LIHTC Program Impact on Agricultural Community
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Immokalee, Florida, is a rural community known for its agricultural industry, particularly tomato production. The city has a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory, with 599 total units, of which 355 are designated as low-income units.
The LIHTC funded affordable housing covers approximately 5% of the estimated housing units in Immokalee, based on the 2022 population and national average household size. This suggests that LIHTC projects contribute to the affordable housing needs of the community, but may not fully meet the demand for low-income housing.
Immokalee has received $3,014,000 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 10 projects, this translates to an average of $301,400 in federal funding per project. Dividing the total tax credits by the number of units yields an average of $5,032 in federal funding per unit. Immokalee accounts for 0.44% of Florida's total LIHTC funding, indicating a significant allocation for this rural community.
The affordable housing presence in Immokalee spans nearly three decades, with the earliest project, Sanders Pines, completed in 1992, and the most recent documented project, Eden Gardens, finished in 2009. The 1990s saw the most LIHTC project completions, with four projects: Sanders Pines, Oakhaven Apts, Summer Glen, and Timber Ridge of Immokalee.
The LIHTC funded housing stock in Immokalee is diverse, consisting of 4 one-bedroom units, 200 two-bedroom units, 216 three-bedroom units, and 16 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating families of various sizes.
Eden Gardens, completed in 2009, specifically targets farmworkers and fishermen. This specialized housing addresses the needs of the local agricultural workforce, a crucial demographic in Immokalee's economy.
Analyzing demographic trends over the last decade, Immokalee has experienced population growth, increasing from 25,207 in 2013 to 31,061 in 2022. The median income has also risen, from $28,436 in 2013 to $37,593 in 2022, indicating some economic improvement. The Hispanic population remains the majority, decreasing slightly from 74% in 2013 to 70% in 2022, while the Black population has increased from 14% to 19% during the same period.
Despite the lack of new LIHTC projects in the last decade, the demographic data shows a growing population and rising median income, which may indicate changing housing needs in the community. The persistent high percentage of Hispanic residents, many of whom may be connected to the agricultural industry, suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing options tailored to this demographic.
In summary, Immokalee's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in addressing the community's housing needs, particularly for its agricultural workforce. The city has received a notable share of Florida's LIHTC funding, resulting in a diverse range of affordable housing units. The changing demographics and growing population suggest that continued attention to affordable housing needs may be necessary for this rural community.
