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Affordable Housing in Van Steuban: A Study of LIHTC Impact in a Declining Detroit 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
Van Steuban, a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, had a population of 7,317 in 2022. The area contains 5 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing units, all designated as low-income units. These units represent approximately 0.18% of the neighborhood's estimated 2,803 housing units.
The LIHTC program has contributed to affordable housing in Van Steuban since 1989. The first project was completed at 18603 Westphalia St, and the most recent at 18900 Teppert St in 1993. This indicates that affordable housing has been present in the neighborhood for over three decades. The 1990s saw the most LIHTC development activity, with four out of the five projects completed during this period.
The inventory includes three three-bedroom units and one four-bedroom unit, suggesting a focus on accommodating larger families. The limited number of units indicates a small-scale approach to LIHTC-funded affordable housing in this neighborhood.
Van Steuban experienced a significant population decline from 8,723 residents in 2013 to 7,317 in 2022. Despite this decrease, the median income showed an overall upward trend, rising from $23,733 in 2013 to $31,566 in 2022, with some fluctuations in between.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has remained predominantly Black, with the percentage increasing from 93% in 2013 to 97% in 2022. This demographic stability suggests that the existing LIHTC projects, while limited in number, may have played a role in maintaining some affordable housing options for long-term residents.
The analysis of LIHTC-funded affordable housing in Van Steuban reveals a modest inventory of 5 units, representing a small fraction of the estimated housing stock. The projects were developed primarily in the early 1990s, focusing on larger family units. Despite population decline, the neighborhood has seen an increase in median income over the past decade. The limited LIHTC activity in recent years, coupled with demographic changes, suggests that other factors or housing programs may be influencing the affordable housing landscape in Van Steuban.
