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Affordable Housing in Scranton: LIHTC's Impact on The Electric City
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Scranton, Pennsylvania, has a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city contains 513 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 459 designated as low-income units. Based on Scranton's 2022 population of 75,838 and an estimated 29,057 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 1.77% of the city's estimated housing inventory.
Scranton has received $6,516,184 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 12 projects, this averages to about $543,015 per project or $12,702 per unit. The city holds 1.09% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding, indicating a moderate share of the state's affordable housing resources.
The LIHTC program has been active in Scranton since at least 1996, with the Hotel Jermyn Apartments being one of the earliest projects. The most recent project with a known completion date is Goodwill At North, finished in 2015. This span of nearly two decades demonstrates a consistent effort to provide affordable housing in the city.
The 2000s saw significant activity in affordable housing development, with notable projects including Dunmore Senior Housing (2002), Harriet Beecher Stowe and Skyview Park Apartments (both in 2009). The early 2010s also saw continued development with projects like Laurel Woods (2013) and St Francis Of Assisi Commons (2014).
Scranton's LIHTC-funded housing stock includes a mix of unit types: 4 efficiencies, 164 one-bedroom units, 170 two-bedroom units, and 94 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating diverse household sizes, with a particular emphasis on smaller families or individuals.
One notable project is St Francis Of Assisi Commons, completed in 2014, which targets veterans. This specialized housing addresses the unique needs of former service members, potentially offering support services alongside affordable housing.
Over the past decade, Scranton's population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between about 75,000 and 77,000 residents. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $36,120 in 2014 to $48,279 in 2022, with a peak of $54,279 in 2021. This increase in median income may indicate a growing need for affordable housing options to support lower-income residents who might be facing increased housing costs.
Recent racial demographic data shows a diverse community, with the white population decreasing slightly from 69% in 2021 to 66% in 2022. The Hispanic population has grown from 17% to 18% in the same period, while other racial groups have remained relatively stable. This increasing diversity may necessitate culturally sensitive approaches to affordable housing development and community services.
Scranton's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of the city's housing stock. The city has consistently developed affordable housing projects over the past two decades, with a mix of unit types to accommodate various household sizes. The focus on specific populations, such as veterans, demonstrates an effort to address unique community needs. While the LIHTC program has contributed to Scranton's affordable housing landscape, the city's changing demographics and rising median income suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing options to ensure a diverse and inclusive community.
