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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Washington Heights, a neighborhood in Manhattan, New York, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory includes 828 total units, with 558 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 85,045 and an estimated 32,584 housing units, the LIHTC funded affordable housing covers approximately 2.54% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory.
The LIHTC program has invested significantly in Washington Heights, with project tax credits totaling $4,295,060. This translates to an average federal funding of $5,187 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood.
Affordable housing has been a long-standing feature of Washington Heights, with the earliest LIHTC projects dating back to 1991. The most recent project, Savanna Hall, was completed in 2019, indicating nearly three decades of LIHTC investment in the area. The 1990s saw the most LIHTC project completions, with notable developments including The Rio, 513 W 159th St, and Round II (W 158th St) all completed in 1991.
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in Washington Heights offers a diverse range of unit types. The inventory includes 152 efficiencies, 55 one-bedroom units, 64 two-bedroom units, and 30 three-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Over the past decade, Washington Heights has experienced some demographic shifts. The population has remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease from 88,843 in 2016 to 85,045 in 2022. Median income has shown an upward trend, rising from $40,470 in 2016 to $49,859 in 2022, representing a 23% increase.
Racial demographics have remained fairly consistent, with the Hispanic population maintaining a significant majority at around 70-72% throughout the decade. There has been a slight increase in the Asian population (from 2% to 4%) and a small decrease in the Black population (from 15% to 13%). The White population has remained stable at around 11-12%.
The most recent LIHTC project, Savanna Hall, was completed in 2019, aligning with a period of rising median incomes. This suggests that despite income growth, there was still a recognized need for affordable housing in the neighborhood.
Washington Heights demonstrates a sustained commitment to affordable housing through the LIHTC program, with projects spanning nearly three decades. The neighborhood's LIHTC-funded housing stock, while covering a small percentage of the total estimated housing units, provides a variety of unit types to meet diverse needs. The consistent development of LIHTC projects, even in recent years, indicates an ongoing effort to maintain affordable housing options in the face of rising median incomes. The stability in racial demographics, particularly the large Hispanic population, suggests that these LIHTC projects may play a crucial role in preserving the neighborhood's diverse character amidst potential gentrification pressures.