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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Northside/Cherokee, a neighborhood in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has a history of affordable housing initiatives. The area currently contains 18 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing units, all of which are designated as low-income units. This LIHTC inventory is significant in addressing the neighborhood's housing needs.
Based on the 2022 population of 5,652 and using the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated number of housing units in the neighborhood is approximately 2,166. The 18 LIHTC-funded affordable units represent about 0.83% of the estimated housing inventory. This percentage indicates that LIHTC-funded housing comprises a small portion of the neighborhood's overall housing stock.
The LIHTC program has provided $147,069 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Northside/Cherokee. With 18 total units funded, this equates to an average of $8,170 in federal funding per unit. The neighborhood's LIHTC-funded affordable housing history began in 2000 with the completion of the Hill City Terrace project. This project represents the entirety of the LIHTC-funded affordable housing in the neighborhood, indicating that the 2000s were the most active decade for LIHTC development in this area.
Hill City Terrace consists of 18 units, with a mix of two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments. Specifically, the project includes 4 two-bedroom units and 14 three-bedroom units, catering to families of various sizes.
Over the past decade, Northside/Cherokee has experienced significant demographic changes. The population has grown from 4,013 in 2013 to 5,652 in 2022, representing a 40.8% increase. Median income has also risen substantially, from $50,800 in 2013 to $62,090 in 2022, a 22.2% increase. Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with the white population consistently representing the majority. However, there has been a slight decrease in the Black population, from 10% in 2013 to 5% in 2022, while the Hispanic population has remained steady at around 1-2%.
Despite these demographic changes and income growth, no new LIHTC projects have been developed in the last decade. This could be due to various factors, including land availability, local zoning policies, or shifts in housing priorities.
Northside/Cherokee's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while limited, has been a consistent presence since 2000. The Hill City Terrace project, with its 18 units, represents the neighborhood's entire LIHTC-funded housing stock. While the neighborhood has experienced significant population growth and income increases over the past decade, there has not been a corresponding expansion in LIHTC-funded housing. This analysis provides a snapshot of the neighborhood's affordable housing landscape, highlighting the need for ongoing assessment of housing needs in light of changing demographics and economic conditions.