Loading Content...
Affordable Housing in Oak Park Northwest: A Decade of LIHTC Development
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Oak Park Northwest, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, has a population of 2,541 as of 2022. The area features a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory, comprising 83 total units, all designated as low-income. This affordable housing stock represents approximately 8.5% of the neighborhood's estimated 974 housing units.
The LIHTC program has invested $905,000 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Oak Park Northwest, averaging about $10,904 per unit in federal funding. Two notable LIHTC funded projects in the neighborhood are Jamison Housing On The Boulevard, completed in 2009, and Palestine Commons, completed in 2011. These developments indicate that affordable housing has been a component of the neighborhood for over a decade.
The majority of affordable housing development in Oak Park Northwest occurred in the 2010s, with both projects completed during this period. The inventory consists of 63 one-bedroom units, 6 two-bedroom units, and 14 three-bedroom units, offering a range of housing options for low-income residents.
Oak Park Northwest has experienced a significant population decline over the past decade, decreasing from 3,225 in 2014 to 2,541 in 2022. Despite this reduction, the median income has increased from $19,508 in 2014 to $28,894 in 2022, suggesting some economic improvement in the neighborhood.
The racial composition of Oak Park Northwest has remained predominantly Black, though there has been a slight decrease from 90% in 2014 to 81% in 2022. The neighborhood has seen a small increase in diversity, with the Hispanic population growing from 2% to 5% and the white population from 3% to 7% during this period.
The presence of LIHTC projects completed in 2009 and 2011 aligns with the neighborhood's demographic profile, characterized by lower incomes and a predominantly minority population. These projects likely addressed a significant need for affordable housing in the area.
Oak Park Northwest's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory covers about 8.5% of the estimated housing stock. The neighborhood has received substantial investment in affordable housing, with two projects completed in the early 2010s. Despite a declining population, the area has experienced some economic improvement, as evidenced by rising median incomes. The LIHTC projects appear to align with the neighborhood's demographics, addressing the needs of a predominantly Black community with lower incomes. While the current affordable housing stock falls short of the ideal 15-20% target, it represents a significant contribution to meeting the community's housing needs.
