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Affordable Housing in Lewis and Clark: LIHTC's 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
The Lewis and Clark neighborhood in Missoula, Montana, exhibits a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood contains 306 units in LIHTC funded projects, with 240 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 3,143 and an estimated 1,204 housing units, LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises approximately 25.4% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. This indicates a substantial contribution to meeting affordable housing needs in the area.
The LIHTC program has invested $1,208,100 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in the Lewis and Clark neighborhood. This equates to an average federal funding of about $3,948 per unit across all LIHTC funded projects in the area. The neighborhood has experienced consistent development of affordable housing over nearly two decades, with the first project, Wildflower Apartments, completed in 1994, and the most recent, Cottage Park Apartments, finished in 2011.
The 2000s were particularly active for affordable housing development in the neighborhood, with three out of four projects completed during this decade. These include Parkside Village Apartments (2000), Russell Square Apartments (2002), and Cottage Park Apartments (2011). The LIHTC funded projects in Lewis and Clark offer a diverse range of unit types. The inventory includes 17 efficiencies, 32 one-bedroom units, 143 two-bedroom units, and 15 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating various household sizes, with a particular emphasis on two-bedroom units.
Over the past decade, the Lewis and Clark neighborhood has experienced demographic fluctuations. The population has remained relatively stable, ranging from around 2,900 to 3,200 residents. Median income has shown variability, with a notable decrease from $45,033 in 2016 to $39,250 in 2017, followed by a gradual increase to $41,048 in 2022.
Racial composition has seen changes, with the white population decreasing from 89% in 2018 to 77% in 2022. Concurrently, there has been an increase in the Native American population, rising from less than 1% to 12% during the same period. The neighborhood has also seen a small increase in residents identifying as two or more races, growing from 5% to 8% between 2018 and 2022.
These demographic shifts, particularly the changes in income levels and racial composition, may indicate evolving affordable housing needs in the neighborhood. The steady presence of LIHTC projects over the years suggests an ongoing commitment to addressing these needs.
The Lewis and Clark neighborhood demonstrates a significant investment in affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With 306 total units, of which 240 are designated as low-income, these projects cover a substantial portion of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood has seen consistent development of affordable housing from 1994 to 2011, with a concentration of projects in the 2000s. The diverse unit types cater to various household sizes, with a focus on two-bedroom units. Recent demographic changes, including fluctuations in median income and shifts in racial composition, underscore the ongoing importance of affordable housing options in this community.
