Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
West Kensington, a neighborhood in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, has a substantial Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The neighborhood has 366 total units in LIHTC funded projects, with 293 of these designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated 3,804 housing units in the neighborhood, the LIHTC funded affordable housing covers approximately 9.6% of the neighborhood's housing inventory.
The LIHTC projects in West Kensington have received $5,335,674 in project tax credits, averaging about $14,578 per unit in federal funding. The neighborhood has seen a consistent presence of affordable housing since at least 1993, with the earliest recorded projects being Francisville III and Norris Street. The most recent project, APM Preservation, was completed in 2017, indicating over two decades of affordable housing development in the area.
The 1990s saw significant affordable housing activity, with several projects completed including Lehigh Park Center Apartments (1994), Lehigh Park Apartments Phase II (1997), and Belmont Affordable Housing II (1999). The housing stock is diverse, featuring 1 efficiency unit, 49 one-bedroom units, 72 two-bedroom units, 181 three-bedroom units, and 41 four-bedroom units, catering to various household sizes.
One notable project, APM Preservation, completed in 2017, is specifically targeted towards Section 811 housing, which provides supportive housing for people with disabilities.
Over the last decade, West Kensington's population has fluctuated, peaking at 11,925 in 2017 and decreasing to 9,929 by 2022. Despite this population decline, the median income has shown a significant increase from $19,091 in 2013 to $31,655 in 2022, suggesting improving economic conditions for some residents.
The racial composition of the neighborhood has remained relatively stable, with a predominantly Hispanic population (64-70% between 2013-2022). There has been a slight increase in the white population (from 9% in 2013 to 17% in 2022) and a small decrease in the Black population (from 14% in 2013 to 13% in 2022).
The completion of the APM Preservation project in 2017 coincides with the neighborhood's peak population, potentially responding to increased housing demand. However, the lack of new LIHTC projects since then, despite rising median incomes, may indicate changing housing needs or priorities in the area.
West Kensington's LIHTC funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant portion of its housing stock, with a diverse range of unit types catering to different household sizes. The neighborhood has seen consistent affordable housing development over more than two decades, with federal investment averaging $14,578 per unit. While the population has declined slightly in recent years, median incomes have risen substantially. The stable racial composition, dominated by a Hispanic majority, suggests a consistent community fabric. The lack of recent LIHTC projects, coupled with rising incomes, may indicate evolving housing needs in the neighborhood.