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Affordable Housing in Upper Baseline: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Upper Baseline, a neighborhood in Little Rock, Arkansas, contains a substantial Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The area has 365 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 275 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 12,887 and an estimated 4,938 housing units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 7.4% of the neighborhood's estimated housing stock.
The LIHTC projects in Upper Baseline have received $932,630 in project tax credits, averaging about $2,555 per unit in federal funding. LIHTC projects have been present in the neighborhood since at least 2001, with the Pines Apartments being the earliest known project. The most recent completed project is the Auxora Arms Apartments, finished in 2009, indicating at least eight years of affordable housing development in the area.
The 2000s experienced the most LIHTC activity, with two known projects completed during this decade. The housing inventory offers a range of unit types, including 6 efficiencies, 60 one-bedroom units, 201 two-bedroom units, 97 three-bedroom units, and 1 four-bedroom unit. This distribution indicates accommodation for various household sizes, with a focus on two-bedroom units.
Over the past decade, Upper Baseline has experienced population fluctuations, with a general growth trend since 2015. The median income has shown steady improvement, rising from $25,373 in 2015 to $38,664 in 2022. This increase in median income may suggest a reduced need for additional affordable housing in recent years.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has shifted. The Black population has remained relatively stable, representing about half of the residents. The Hispanic population has increased notably, growing from 19% in 2015 to 34% in 2022. Conversely, the White population has decreased from 20% to 14% during the same period. These demographic changes may influence future affordable housing needs and strategies in the neighborhood.
Upper Baseline's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in the neighborhood's housing landscape, representing 7.4% of the estimated housing stock. The area has benefited from LIHTC projects for at least eight years, with a diverse range of unit types to accommodate different household sizes. While there has been no new LIHTC development in recent years, the neighborhood has experienced population growth, increasing median income, and demographic shifts, particularly in the Hispanic population. These factors may influence future affordable housing needs and development strategies in Upper Baseline.
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