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Affordable Housing in Mobile's Central Business District: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
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 Central Business District of Mobile, Alabama, contains a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. This neighborhood has 157 total units in LIHTC funded projects, with 156 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 1,267 and using the national average household size, the estimated housing units in the neighborhood are approximately 485. The LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises about 32.3% of the estimated housing inventory, indicating a substantial presence of affordable housing in this area.
The LIHTC program has provided $94,824 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in this neighborhood. This translates to an average of about $604 in federal funding per unit. The neighborhood has benefited from LIHTC funded affordable housing for over a decade, with the first project, Berkshire Apts, completed in 1996, and the most recent, Baptist Oaks Apts, finished in 2007. The 1990s saw the most affordable housing activity in this area.
The affordable housing inventory in the Central Business District offers a range of unit sizes to accommodate different household needs. The breakdown includes 5 efficiencies, 47 one-bedroom units, 53 two-bedroom units, and 52 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating both individuals and families of various sizes.
Over the past decade, the neighborhood's population has fluctuated, reaching a peak of 1,444 in 2017 before declining to 1,267 in 2022. The median income has shown volatility, ranging from $34,582 in 2013 to a high of $52,197 in 2019, before settling at $40,370 in 2022. This economic fluctuation may indicate an ongoing need for affordable housing options.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has evolved. The proportion of Black residents decreased from 49% in 2017 to 37% in 2022, while the White population increased slightly from 46% to 50% during the same period. The Asian population increased from 1% to 4%, and residents identifying as two or more races grew from 0% to 5%. This changing demographic landscape may influence future affordable housing needs and strategies.
The Central Business District of Mobile, Alabama, demonstrates a substantial commitment to affordable housing through its LIHTC funded projects. With over 30% of the estimated housing inventory dedicated to affordable units, the neighborhood appears to be addressing a significant portion of its low-income housing needs. The diversity in unit sizes suggests an attempt to cater to various household compositions. While no new LIHTC projects have been completed since 2007, the fluctuating economic indicators and evolving demographic makeup of the neighborhood underscore the ongoing importance of maintaining and potentially expanding affordable housing options to meet the community's changing needs.
