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Affordable Housing in South Green: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
South Green, a neighborhood in Hartford, Connecticut, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area contains 265 total units in LIHTC funded projects, with 256 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 2,835 and using the national average household size, the estimated number of housing units in the neighborhood is approximately 1,086. The LIHTC funded affordable housing comprises about 24.4% of the estimated housing inventory, exceeding the target percentage for a well-balanced community.
South Green has seen LIHTC funded affordable housing projects since 1987, with the earliest recorded project at 24 Alden St. The most recent project with a known completion date is the Hudson Park Project, finished in 1997. This indicates at least a decade of continuous affordable housing development in the neighborhood.
The 1990s were the decade with the most affordable housing projects completed, including notable developments such as Hudson View Commons and Asylum Hill Ventures in 1996, followed by the Hudson Park Project in 1997. The neighborhood's LIHTC funded housing stock comprises a diverse range of unit types. Out of the 265 total units, there are 39 efficiencies, 42 one-bedroom units, 57 two-bedroom units, 62 three-bedroom units, and 18 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating various household sizes, with a slight emphasis on larger family units.
Over the past decade, South Green has experienced fluctuations in its population, with a peak of 3,207 residents in 2016 and a recent decline to 2,835 in 2022. The median income has shown a general upward trend, rising from $20,832 in 2013 to $24,688 in 2022, indicating a slight improvement in economic conditions.
Racial demographics have shifted notably. The Hispanic population, while still the majority, has decreased from 66% in 2016 to 51% in 2022. Conversely, the Black population has increased from 21% to 36% during the same period. The White population has seen a slight decrease from 10% to 9%, while the Asian population has remained stable at around 2%. These demographic changes, particularly the rise in the Black population and the decline in the Hispanic population, may indicate evolving housing needs in the neighborhood. The steady, albeit modest, increase in median income might suggest a changing economic landscape that could influence future affordable housing demands.
South Green demonstrates a substantial commitment to affordable housing through its LIHTC funded projects, which cover nearly a quarter of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood's affordable housing stock, developed primarily in the late 1980s and 1990s, offers a range of unit sizes to accommodate diverse household needs. While there have not been new LIHTC projects recorded in recent years, the changing demographic composition and gradually increasing median income suggest that the area's affordable housing needs may be evolving. This analysis provides insights into South Green's affordable housing landscape and its relationship with the neighborhood's changing demographics.
