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Affordable Housing in West Blue Valley: LIHTC Investments and Demographic Shifts
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
West Blue Valley, a neighborhood in Kansas City, Missouri, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area has 126 total units in LIHTC funded projects, all of which are designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 1,652 and an estimated 633 housing units, the LIHTC funded affordable housing covers approximately 19.9% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. This percentage aligns with the target range of 15-20% affordable housing stock for a well-balanced community.
The LIHTC program has invested $416,630 in project tax credits for West Blue Valley's affordable housing, averaging about $3,306 per unit. This federal funding has supported the development of affordable housing in the neighborhood over several decades. The earliest LIHTC project in West Blue Valley was completed in 1987 at 1410 Oakley Ave, while the most recent project, Lawndale Heights Apts, was finished in 2009. This 22-year span demonstrates a sustained commitment to affordable housing in the area. The 1980s saw the most activity in affordable housing development, with three projects completed during that decade.
The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory primarily consists of one-bedroom units, with 121 such units available. There are also 3 two-bedroom units, 1 three-bedroom unit, and 1 four-bedroom unit, providing some options for larger families. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating single residents or small families in the area's affordable housing stock.
Over the past decade, West Blue Valley has experienced fluctuations in its population, with a general downward trend from 2,526 residents in 2013 to 1,652 in 2022. Despite this population decrease, the median income has remained relatively stable, ranging from $16,296 to $21,634 during this period.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has shifted notably. The Hispanic population has grown from 56% in 2013 to 69% in 2022, becoming the dominant demographic group. Concurrently, the Black population has decreased from 18% to 4%, while the White population has fluctuated, ending at 13% in 2022. The Asian population has seen a significant increase, from 1% in 2013 to 12% in 2022.
These demographic shifts, particularly the growth in the Hispanic population and the increase in Asian residents, may indicate changing housing needs in the neighborhood. The stable presence of LIHTC funded housing throughout these changes suggests its ongoing importance in supporting the community's diverse low-income residents.
West Blue Valley's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory plays a crucial role in meeting the neighborhood's housing needs. With 126 low-income units, it covers nearly 20% of the estimated housing stock, aligning with recommended affordable housing targets. The area has benefited from LIHTC investments over more than two decades, with a mix of unit sizes predominantly focused on one-bedroom apartments. Despite population fluctuations and significant demographic shifts, particularly in racial composition, the presence of these affordable housing units continues to support the neighborhood's evolving community.
