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Affordable Housing in Romulus, Michigan: LIHTC Funding and Demographic Trends
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Romulus, Michigan, a city known for hosting Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport, has a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city possesses 437 total affordable units, with 436 designated as low-income units. Based on an estimated housing inventory of 9,600 units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 4.55% of the city's housing stock.
Romulus has received $477,275 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 3 projects, this averages to about $159,092 per project. When divided by the total number of units, it amounts to roughly $1,092 per unit in federal funding. Romulus holds 0.16% of Michigan's total LIHTC funding allocation.
The city's LIHTC-funded affordable housing projects span from 2001 to 2010. Sky Harbor Townhomes, completed in 2001, marks the beginning of LIHTC development in Romulus. The most recent project, Woodside Square Apartments, was completed in 2010. This indicates that affordable housing has been a part of Romulus's landscape for at least two decades.
The 2000s saw the most affordable housing development in Romulus, with two of the three known projects completed during this decade. The housing inventory includes a mix of unit types, with 17 one-bedroom units, 235 two-bedroom units, and 185 three-bedroom units, catering to various household sizes.
Over the past decade, Romulus has experienced demographic shifts. The population has grown from 23,525 in 2019 to 25,055 in 2022, indicating a growing demand for housing. Median income has increased, rising from $58,945 in 2019 to $63,350 in 2022, which may impact affordable housing needs.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in the Black population from 41% in 2020 to 45% in 2022, and a corresponding decrease in the White population from 50% to 46%. The Hispanic population has held steady at 3%, while the Asian population remains at 1%. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has increased from 4% to 5%.
Romulus's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of its housing stock. The city has leveraged federal funding to create a diverse range of affordable units, primarily developed in the 2000s. While there have not been new LIHTC projects in the last decade, the city's growing population and increasing median income suggest evolving housing needs. The stable racial demographics indicate a consistent community fabric, which may influence future affordable housing strategies.
