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Affordable Housing in Irene Chapel: LIHTC Impact on a Changing Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Irene Chapel, a neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, has a distinct affordable housing landscape influenced by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The neighborhood contains one LIHTC-funded project with 40 units, including 4 low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 828 and the national average household size, the neighborhood is estimated to have approximately 317 housing units. The LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises about 12.6% of the estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC program has invested $279,261 in tax credits for affordable housing in Irene Chapel. This equates to an average federal funding of $6,982 per unit in the LIHTC-funded project. The single LIHTC project in the neighborhood, Lilac Estates, was completed in 2001, providing over two decades of affordable housing in the area.
Lilac Estates offers a range of unit sizes, with 19 three-bedroom units and 21 four-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating families or larger households. The absence of smaller units suggests that the project may not cater to single individuals or smaller families.
Irene Chapel has experienced demographic changes over the past decade. The population has fluctuated, increasing from 643 in 2019 to 828 in 2022. Median income has shown growth, rising from $26,333 in 2019 to $26,505 in 2022, with a peak of $51,424 in 2021. This overall upward trend in income may affect the demand for affordable housing in the area.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with the Black population consistently representing the majority (around 90%) of residents. The Hispanic population has increased slightly, growing from 0% in 2015 to 6% in 2022. The White population has decreased from 9% in 2018 to 3% in 2022.
No new LIHTC projects have been developed in the last decade, despite these demographic changes. This could be attributed to various factors, including the existing affordable housing stock meeting current needs, changes in funding priorities, or shifts in local housing policies.
Irene Chapel's affordable housing landscape is characterized by a single LIHTC project, Lilac Estates, which has served the community since 2001. The project provides 40 units, focusing on larger family-sized apartments. While the LIHTC-funded units represent a significant portion of the estimated housing inventory, there may be potential for additional affordable housing to meet the typical target range. The neighborhood has experienced population growth and income fluctuations in recent years, along with subtle shifts in racial composition. These demographic trends, combined with the lack of new LIHTC developments in the past decade, indicate a need for ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs in Irene Chapel to ensure alignment with evolving community demographics.
