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Affordable Housing in Perry South: Long-term LIHTC Investment Shapes Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Perry South, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood contains 116 total units in LIHTC funded projects, with 107 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 4,064 and an estimated 1,557 housing units, LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises approximately 7.45% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in Perry South have received $310,847 in tax credits, averaging about $2,679 per unit. This federal funding has supported affordable housing development in the neighborhood over several decades. The first LIHTC project, 223 W Burgess St, was completed in 1988, while the most recent, Perrysville Plaza, was finished in 2016. This 28-year span indicates a long-term commitment to affordable housing in Perry South.
The 1980s experienced the most affordable housing development activity, with two projects completed (223 W Burgess St and 217-225 Luray St). The 1990s and 2010s each saw one project completed (Ansonia Apts and Perrysville Plaza, respectively). The LIHTC funded housing stock in Perry South includes 2 one-bedroom units, 8 two-bedroom units, and 7 three-bedroom units. This diverse mix of unit sizes suggests an effort to accommodate various household compositions within the affordable housing inventory.
Over the past decade, Perry South has experienced fluctuations in its population, with a general upward trend from 3,429 in 2015 to 4,064 in 2022. The median income has also shown an overall increase, rising from $24,480 in 2015 to $39,935 in 2022, suggesting improving economic conditions for residents.
Racial demographics have shifted slightly, with the Black population decreasing from 62% in 2015 to 54% in 2022, while the White population remained at 35% during this period. The neighborhood has also seen a small increase in racial diversity, with growth in the Asian population and those identifying as two or more races. The completion of Perrysville Plaza in 2016 aligns with a period of population growth and increasing median income, possibly reflecting a response to changing housing needs in the neighborhood.
Perry South's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant portion of the neighborhood's estimated housing stock. The long-term presence of LIHTC projects, spanning from 1988 to 2016, demonstrates an ongoing commitment to affordable housing in the area. The diverse mix of unit sizes in these projects suggests an effort to meet varied housing needs. While demographic trends show some economic improvement and increasing diversity, the continued presence of LIHTC funded housing indicates an ongoing need for affordable options in Perry South.
