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Affordable Housing in Richland: 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
Richland, Washington, a city with historical significance from the Manhattan Project, has a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city contains 845 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 802 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 3.45% of Richland's estimated housing stock of 24,491 units.
Richland has received $4,072,744 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 6 projects, this averages to about $678,791 per project. The average federal funding per unit is $4,819. Richland's LIHTC funding comprises 0.45% of Washington state's total.
The city's LIHTC-funded housing projects span from 1989 to 2019. The first project, Columbia Park, was completed in 1989, while the most recent, Copper Mountain, was finished in 2019. The 1990s saw the most activity, with two projects completed: Orchard Hills Apartments in 1994 and McMurray Park Phase II in 1997.
The LIHTC projects in Richland offer a range of housing options. There are 204 one-bedroom units, 352 two-bedroom units, 138 three-bedroom units, and 36 four-bedroom units. This variety accommodates different household sizes within the low-income population.
Richland's population has grown steadily, increasing from 49,355 in 2010 to 63,921 in 2022, a growth of nearly 29.5%. The median income has risen from $85,203 in 2013 to $93,981 in 2022, indicating an improvement in economic conditions.
Racial demographics have shifted slightly. The white population decreased from 82% in 2013 to 75% in 2022. The Hispanic population grew from 8% to 13%, and the Asian population increased from 4% to 6% during the same period.
The completion of the Copper Mountain project in 2019 aligns with the city's continued population growth and increasing diversity. This suggests a persistent need for affordable housing despite rising median incomes, possibly due to income disparities within the growing population.
Richland's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a consistent effort to provide low-income housing options over three decades. The city has experienced steady population growth and increasing diversity, particularly in the Hispanic community, which may influence future affordable housing needs. The range of unit sizes in LIHTC projects demonstrates an attempt to accommodate various household compositions within the low-income population. As Richland continues to grow and evolve, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial to ensure adequate support for all segments of the community.
