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Affordable Housing in Lincoln Heights: Three Decades of LIHTC Development
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Lincoln Heights, a neighborhood in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a history of affordable housing development through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The neighborhood contains 19 units in LIHTC-funded projects, all designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 1,968 and an estimated 754 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 2.52% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in Lincoln Heights have received $416,553 in project tax credits, averaging about $21,924 per unit in federal funding. The neighborhood has maintained a consistent presence of affordable housing since 1989, with the first four projects completed that year: Augusta Street, Duplex-Custer St, Duplex-Haines St, and Duplex-Irma Street. The most recent addition to the affordable housing inventory was the Lincoln Heights Apts, completed in 2000. This indicates over three decades of affordable housing presence in the neighborhood.
The 1980s saw the highest number of affordable housing projects completed in Lincoln Heights, with four out of the five total projects built during this decade. The available data shows that the neighborhood has 6 one-bedroom units, contributing to the diversity of housing options for residents.
Over the last decade, Lincoln Heights has experienced fluctuations in its population, with a peak of 2,536 residents in 2017 and a recent decline to 1,968 in 2022. The median income has shown variability, ranging from $20,311 in 2019 to $25,037 in 2017, with the most recent figure at $23,440 in 2022. This indicates a modest improvement in economic conditions for residents over recent years.
The racial composition of Lincoln Heights has remained predominantly Black, with the percentage ranging from 82% to 89% over the past decade. There has been a slight increase in the Hispanic population, peaking at 15% in 2017, but decreasing to 6% in 2022. The White population has seen a small increase from 1% to 5% during this period.
Lincoln Heights has an established foundation of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, with projects dating back to 1989. While the current inventory covers a small percentage of the estimated housing units, it provides crucial low-income housing options for the community. The neighborhood's demographic trends, including a fluctuating population and modest income levels, suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing solutions. The consistent racial composition, predominantly Black with a growing diversity, highlights the importance of maintaining and potentially expanding affordable housing options to support the community's evolving needs.
