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Affordable Housing in Southwest Columbus: Two Decades of LIHTC 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 Southwest neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, contains 132 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing units, with 131 designated as low-income. Based on the 2022 population of 12,182 and the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated housing inventory is approximately 4,667 units. LIHTC funded units represent about 2.8% of the estimated housing inventory in the neighborhood.
The LIHTC program has invested $1,326,662 in Southwest Columbus, averaging approximately $10,050 per unit in federal funding. Affordable housing development spans 24 years, from the first project in 1994 to the most recent in 2018. The 1990s saw the highest number of LIHTC project completions, with four projects finished during this decade.
The housing mix in LIHTC funded projects includes 35 efficiencies, 4 one-bedroom units, 2 three-bedroom units, and 61 four-bedroom units, accommodating both individuals and larger families.
Southwest Columbus has experienced demographic changes over the last decade. The population increased from 11,772 in 2013 to 12,182 in 2022. Median income rose from $42,813 in 2013 to $61,759 in 2022, indicating overall economic improvement.
Racial demographics remained relatively stable. The white population decreased slightly from 76% in 2013 to 72% in 2022. The black population increased from 13% to 16%. The Hispanic population doubled from 2% to 4%, while the Asian population decreased from 3% to 2%. The completion of Briggsdale Apartments II in 2018 coincided with population growth and increasing median income, suggesting a continued need for affordable housing options.
Southwest Columbus demonstrates a long-term commitment to providing affordable housing through the LIHTC program. While LIHTC funded units represent a small percentage of the estimated housing inventory, they provide crucial affordable options for low-income residents. The neighborhood has experienced moderate population growth and significant income increases over the past decade, with some shifts in racial demographics. The continued development of LIHTC projects indicates an ongoing effort to maintain affordable housing options in a changing economic landscape.
