Loading Content...
Affordable Housing in Jamaica, Queens: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Jamaica, a neighborhood in Queens, New York, has a diverse affordable housing landscape supported by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The neighborhood's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory consists of 516 total units, with 150 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated 16,900 housing units in the neighborhood, LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 3.05% of the neighborhood's housing inventory.
The LIHTC program has invested significantly in Jamaica, with project tax credits totaling $9,486,391. This translates to an average federal funding of about $18,384 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood.
The affordable housing presence in Jamaica spans over a decade, with the earliest project, Moda, completed in 2010, and the most recent projects, including Rufus King Court Apartments, Markus Gardens, and Norman Towers, completed in 2014. The 2010s marked a significant period for affordable housing development in Jamaica, with all four LIHTC projects being completed during this decade.
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in Jamaica offers a range of unit types. The inventory includes 198 efficiencies, 251 one-bedroom units, 32 two-bedroom units, and 8 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating smaller households and individuals.
Over the past decade, Jamaica has experienced demographic shifts alongside its LIHTC developments. The neighborhood's population has grown from 41,024 in 2013 to 44,110 in 2022, indicating a steady increase in residents. Concurrently, the median income has risen from $40,683 in 2013 to $55,741 in 2022, suggesting improved economic conditions for many residents.
Racial demographics have also evolved. The Asian population has increased from 29% in 2013 to 34% in 2022, while the Hispanic population has decreased from 43% to 34% during the same period. The Black population has remained relatively stable, shifting from 17% to 18%. These changes indicate a diversifying neighborhood, which may influence future affordable housing needs and strategies.
Jamaica's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in the neighborhood's housing landscape, providing 516 units with substantial federal investment. The concentration of project completions in the 2010s suggests a focused effort to address affordable housing needs during that period. The diverse unit mix caters to various household sizes, with a predominance of smaller units. As Jamaica continues to evolve demographically and economically, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial to ensure the LIHTC program and other housing initiatives effectively serve the community's changing population.
