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Affordable Housing in Syracuse's Near Westside: 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 Near Westside neighborhood in Syracuse, New York, has 35 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing units. All of these units are designated as low-income units, demonstrating the neighborhood's commitment to providing housing for lower-income residents. Based on the 2022 population of 6,277 and an estimated 2,405 housing units, LIHTC funded affordable housing represents approximately 1.46% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC program has invested $823,783 in tax credits in the Near Westside, averaging about $23,537 per unit in federal funding. Affordable housing development in the neighborhood spans nearly two decades, with the first project, Klim Properties, completed in 1991, and the most recent, Near Westside Houses Phase II, finished in 2010.
The 1990s saw the initiation of affordable housing in the area with two projects: Klim Properties (1991) and Oswego St Townhouses (1994). The late 2000s were the most active period for LIHTC development, with Near Westside Townhouses completed in 2009 and Near Westside Houses Phase II in 2010. The LIHTC funded housing in Near Westside offers a range of unit types, including 1 one-bedroom unit, 10 two-bedroom units, 17 three-bedroom units, and 7 four-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on housing for families.
The Near Westside neighborhood has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade. The population has remained relatively stable between 2013 and 2022. The median income has fluctuated, ranging from $18,379 in 2016 to $23,896 in 2021, with the most recent data showing $20,320 in 2022.
Racial demographics have evolved. The Black population has remained the largest group, fluctuating between 37% and 44% over the past decade. The Hispanic population has grown from 25% in 2013 to 30% in 2022. The White population has decreased from 29% in 2013 to 22% in 2022. Residents identifying as two or more races have increased from 3% to 6% over the same period.
The Near Westside neighborhood in Syracuse has a modest LIHTC funded affordable housing presence, with 35 units serving low-income residents. The development of these units from 1991 to 2010 demonstrates a long-term commitment to affordable housing in the area. The mix of unit sizes, focusing on two to four-bedroom apartments, suggests an emphasis on family housing. While the LIHTC funded units represent a small percentage of the estimated housing inventory, they play a crucial role in providing affordable options in a neighborhood where median incomes have remained relatively low. The demographic trends over the past decade, including a stable population and diverse racial composition, underscore the ongoing importance of maintaining and potentially expanding affordable housing options in the Near Westside.
