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Affordable Housing in Southwest Anaheim: LIHTC's Impact on a Changing Neighborhood
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Southwest Anaheim, a neighborhood in Anaheim, California, has a significant presence of affordable housing funded through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The area contains 697 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 691 of these designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 61,683 and using the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated number of housing units in the neighborhood is approximately 23,633. The LIHTC-funded affordable housing units represent about 2.95% of the estimated housing inventory in Southwest Anaheim.
The LIHTC program has invested substantially in Southwest Anaheim, with project tax credits totaling $6,881,915. This translates to an average federal funding of approximately $9,873 per unit in LIHTC-funded projects. The neighborhood has seen a steady development of affordable housing over time, with the earliest project, Jeffrey-Lynne Apts Phase I, completed in 2001, and the most recent, Bel Age Preservation LP, in 2008. This seven-year span demonstrates a consistent commitment to affordable housing in the area.
The 2000s were particularly active for affordable housing development in Southwest Anaheim. Notable projects include the Jeffrey-Lynne Neighborhood Revitalization, which was completed in multiple phases between 2001 and 2007, and the Hermosa Village project in 2003.
The LIHTC-funded housing inventory in Southwest Anaheim offers a diverse range of unit types. Of the 697 total units, there are 3 efficiencies, 284 one-bedroom units, 244 two-bedroom units, 148 three-bedroom units, and 18 four-bedroom units. This distribution caters to various household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Over the past decade, Southwest Anaheim has experienced demographic shifts. The population has grown from 59,072 in 2017 to 61,683 in 2022, an increase of about 4.4%. During this period, the median income rose from $73,413 in 2017 to $80,134 in 2022, representing a 9.2% increase.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has also evolved. The Hispanic population has increased from 50% in 2017 to 53% in 2022, while the Asian population has grown slightly from 22% to 25%. Conversely, the white population has decreased from 24% to 17% during the same period.
These demographic changes, particularly the increase in population and median income, suggest a growing demand for housing in the area. While the median income has risen, this does not necessarily reduce the need for affordable housing, as income inequality and housing costs may also be increasing.
Southwest Anaheim has a notable inventory of LIHTC-funded affordable housing, with 697 units representing about 2.95% of the estimated housing stock. The LIHTC program has invested significantly in the area, with an average of $9,873 in tax credits per unit. The affordable housing developments span from 2001 to 2008, with the 2000s being a particularly active period for construction. The unit mix caters to diverse household sizes, from efficiencies to four-bedroom apartments. While the neighborhood has seen growth in population and median income over the past decade, along with shifts in racial composition, the continued presence of LIHTC projects underscores the ongoing importance of affordable housing in Southwest Anaheim.
