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Affordable Housing in San Francisco's Tenderloin: LIHTC's Impact on Urban 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
The Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco, California, exhibits a significant presence of affordable housing through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The area contains 3,015 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 2,731 designated as low-income units. This comprises approximately 39.1% of the neighborhood's estimated 7,710 housing units, based on the 2022 population.
The LIHTC program has invested $34,086,695 in tax credits for Tenderloin's affordable housing projects, averaging about $11,305 per unit in federal funding. The program's involvement spans 27 years, from the first project in 1993 to the most recent in 2020, indicating a sustained commitment to affordable housing development.
The 2010s witnessed the most substantial affordable housing development in the Tenderloin. The LIHTC-funded units in the neighborhood consist of 1,757 efficiencies, 787 one-bedroom units, 174 two-bedroom units, and 124 three-bedroom units, accommodating various household sizes. Several projects cater to specific populations, such as special needs residents and individuals with mental illness.
The Tenderloin's population increased from 17,080 in 2013 to 20,124 in 2022, a growth of 17.8%. During this period, the median income more than doubled from $17,398 to $36,764. Despite this increase, the relatively low median income underscores the ongoing need for affordable housing.
The neighborhood's racial composition has remained relatively stable over the past decade. The Asian population decreased slightly from 34% in 2013 to 32% in 2022, while the Hispanic population increased from 21% to 26%. The White population remained constant at 28%.
The Tenderloin neighborhood in San Francisco maintains a substantial inventory of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, comprising nearly 40% of the estimated housing stock. Consistent development of affordable housing projects over nearly three decades, with an emphasis on efficiency and one-bedroom units, has been observed. Despite rising median incomes, the continued development of affordable housing projects, including those for special needs populations, indicates a persistent demand for such housing. The demographic trends, encompassing population growth and shifts in racial composition, further emphasize the importance of maintaining and expanding affordable housing options in this diverse urban community.
