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Affordable Housing in West Oakland: LIHTC's Impact on a Changing Neighborhood
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 Oakland, a neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory consists of 47 total units, all of which are designated as low-income units. This affordable housing stock plays a crucial role in addressing the community's housing needs.
Based on the 2022 population of 1,876 and using the national average household size of 2.61, there are approximately 719 housing units in the neighborhood. The 47 LIHTC-funded affordable units represent about 6.5% of the estimated housing inventory, indicating that LIHTC projects contribute significantly to the neighborhood's affordable housing stock.
The LIHTC program has invested $1,197,437 in tax credits for affordable housing in West Oakland. This investment translates to an average of $25,477 in federal funding per unit, demonstrating a substantial commitment to creating affordable housing options in the area.
The neighborhood's LIHTC-funded affordable housing is represented by a single project, Uptown Lofts On Fifth, completed in 2015. This project marks the beginning of LIHTC-funded affordable housing in West Oakland and continues to serve the community's needs.
The Uptown Lofts On Fifth project consists of 47 units, with a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartments. Specifically, it includes 44 one-bedroom units and 3 two-bedroom units, catering primarily to smaller households or individuals.
Analyzing demographic trends over the past decade reveals patterns in West Oakland. The neighborhood's population has fluctuated, with a decrease from 2,426 in 2010 to 1,876 in 2022. Despite this overall decline, there was an increase in population between 2021 and 2022, rising from 1,615 to 1,876.
Median income in the neighborhood has shown an upward trend, increasing from $14,801 in 2013 to $20,330 in 2022. This rise in income levels may indicate changing economic conditions in the area.
Racial demographics have also shifted over the past decade. The proportion of Black residents decreased from 48% in 2013 to 30% in 2022, while the White population increased from 39% to 50% during the same period. The Asian population also saw growth, rising from 8% to 15% between 2013 and 2022.
The completion of the Uptown Lofts On Fifth project in 2015 coincides with a period of demographic change in the neighborhood. This timing suggests that the LIHTC project may have been part of broader neighborhood development efforts.
West Oakland's LIHTC-funded affordable housing, represented by the Uptown Lofts On Fifth project, provides 47 low-income units, contributing significantly to the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. The project, completed in 2015, received substantial federal investment and offers primarily one-bedroom units. Over the past decade, West Oakland has experienced population fluctuations, rising median incomes, and shifting racial demographics. The LIHTC project's completion aligns with these changes, potentially playing a role in the neighborhood's evolving landscape. While the LIHTC-funded units represent an important component of West Oakland's affordable housing stock, additional resources may be needed to fully address the community's affordable housing needs.
