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Affordable Housing in Washington, Pennsylvania: LIHTC's Two-Decade 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
Washington, Pennsylvania, has a distinct Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city currently maintains 29 affordable housing units, all of which are categorized as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population estimate, the total housing inventory is approximately 5,118 units. LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises about 0.57% of the city's housing stock.
Washington has received $457,334 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With an estimated two projects, this equates to an average federal funding of $228,667 per project. The average federal funding per unit is $15,770. Washington holds 0.08% of Pennsylvania's total state LIHTC funding.
The city's affordable housing development spans two decades. The first project, West Prospect Place Apts, was completed in 1998. The most recent project, Washington Trust Bldg (Annex), was finished in 2018. The 2010s witnessed the most significant affordable housing development activity.
The affordable housing inventory in Washington consists primarily of one-bedroom units, with 26 such units available. There are also 3 two-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating smaller households or individuals.
Over the past decade, Washington has experienced a slight population decline, from 13,866 in 2010 to 13,358 in 2022. Despite this decrease, the median income has shown an upward trend, increasing from $39,230 in 2013 to $50,801 in 2022. This income growth may indicate an improving economic situation for some residents, but affordable housing needs may persist for others.
The racial composition of Washington has remained relatively stable, with a predominantly white population. There has been a slight increase in diversity, with small growth in the Hispanic, Asian, and multi-racial populations. The Black population has remained fairly consistent, ranging between 13-15% over the past decade.
Washington's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while modest in size, provides 29 low-income units to the community. The city has received a notable amount of federal funding for these projects, averaging $15,770 per unit. Despite a slight population decline, rising median incomes suggest a changing economic landscape. The focus on one-bedroom units in the LIHTC projects indicates an emphasis on meeting the needs of smaller households. As the city continues to evolve demographically and economically, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be essential to ensure adequate support for all residents.
