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Affordable Housing in The Highlands: LIHTC Impact on Hattiesburg 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
The Highlands neighborhood in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, exhibits a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area contains 180 affordable housing units, including 18 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 4,176 and an estimated 1,600 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 11.25% of the total housing stock.
The LIHTC program has made substantial investments in The Highlands, with project tax credits totaling $1,514,190. This equates to an average federal funding of $8,412 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood. The affordable housing development in The Highlands spans several years, with the first project, Campbell Apts, completed in 2007, and the most recent, Overlook Apts, finished in 2011. This indicates a sustained effort to provide affordable housing options over a four-year period.
The 2010s witnessed the most significant affordable housing development activity in The Highlands. The largest project, Overlook Apts, was completed in 2011, contributing 120 units to the neighborhood's affordable housing inventory. The housing mix in LIHTC-funded projects is diverse, comprising 28 one-bedroom, 88 two-bedroom, 50 three-bedroom, and 14 four-bedroom units, accommodating various household sizes and needs.
Over the past decade, The Highlands has experienced fluctuations in its population and median income. The population reached its peak in 2017 at 5,131 residents but has since declined to 4,176 in 2022. Median income has shown volatility, reaching a high of $33,472 in 2018 before decreasing to $27,484 in 2022. These trends may reflect changing economic conditions and housing needs in the neighborhood.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in diversity. The Black population has maintained a significant presence, comprising 44% of residents in 2022, while the White population has slightly increased to 49%. The percentage of residents identifying as two or more races has grown from 1% in 2017 to 7% in 2022, indicating a trend towards greater racial diversity in the neighborhood.
The Highlands neighborhood demonstrates a commitment to affordable housing through its LIHTC-funded projects, which account for a substantial portion of the estimated housing stock. The area has seen consistent development of affordable housing options over time, with a mix of unit sizes to accommodate diverse household needs. While demographic shifts and income fluctuations have occurred in recent years, the presence of LIHTC projects continues to play a crucial role in providing affordable housing options for residents of The Highlands.
