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Affordable Housing in Walnut Heights: Two Decades of LIHTC Impact
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Walnut Heights, a neighborhood in Columbus, Ohio, has 134 LIHTC-funded affordable housing units, all designated as low-income. This represents approximately 2.9% of the neighborhood's estimated 4,619 housing units, based on the 2022 population of 12,055. The LIHTC program has invested $134,693 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Walnut Heights, averaging about $1,005 per unit. Two notable LIHTC projects, Park Trails and Amberly Square Apartments, were completed in 2003, indicating a two-decade presence of affordable housing in the area.
The affordable housing inventory in Walnut Heights consists of 16 one-bedroom units, 79 two-bedroom units, and 39 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating families of various sizes, with an emphasis on two-bedroom apartments. The early 2000s, specifically 2003, was a significant period for affordable housing development in Walnut Heights, with both projects being completed that year. Amberly Square Apartments is the larger of the two, offering 112 units, while Park Trails provides 22 units.
Over the past decade, Walnut Heights has experienced demographic shifts. The population has grown from 11,722 in 2013 to 12,055 in 2022, indicating a steady increase in residents. Median income has also risen, from $54,632 in 2013 to $57,371 in 2022, suggesting a slight improvement in economic conditions for the neighborhood's residents.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with the Black population consistently representing the majority at around 54-56% throughout the decade. The White population has maintained a presence of about 33-36%. There has been a notable increase in the Hispanic population, growing from 2% in 2013 to 7% in 2022, indicating increasing diversity in the neighborhood.
Despite these demographic changes, no new LIHTC projects have been developed in Walnut Heights since 2003. This could be due to various factors, including land availability, changes in local housing policies, or shifts in funding priorities.
Walnut Heights has a modest LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, with 134 units developed in the early 2000s. While this represents a small percentage of the estimated housing stock, it provides important housing options for low-income residents. The neighborhood has experienced population growth and slight increases in median income over the past decade, along with increasing racial diversity, particularly in the Hispanic population. The lack of recent LIHTC developments suggests that future affordable housing needs in Walnut Heights may need to be reassessed in light of these demographic changes.
