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Affordable Housing in West York: LIHTC's Impact on a Small Pennsylvania Borough
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 York, located in Pennsylvania, has a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city's LIHTC program has contributed to the development of 125 total affordable housing units, with 113 of these specifically designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated housing inventory of 1,942 units, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 6.4% of the city's total housing stock.
West York has received $1,811,096 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With three approximate projects, this translates to an average of $603,699 in federal funding per project. When considering the total units, the average federal funding per unit is $14,489. The city holds 0.3% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small but significant contribution to the state's affordable housing efforts.
The first LIHTC project in West York, Princess Apts, was completed in 1993, while the most recent project, Carriage Works Apts, was finished in 2012. This span of nearly two decades demonstrates a sustained commitment to affordable housing development in the city. The 2000s saw the most LIHTC activity, with two projects completed during this decade.
The affordable housing inventory in West York consists of 11 one-bedroom units, 84 two-bedroom units, and 30 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating small to medium-sized families.
Over the past decade, West York has experienced a population increase from 4,586 in 2010 to 5,069 in 2022. The median income has fluctuated, with the most recent data showing $52,007 in 2022. Racial demographics have shifted slightly, with the white population decreasing from 68% in 2013 to 61% in 2022. Meanwhile, the Hispanic population has grown from 13% to 22%, and the Black population has increased from 9% to 13% during the same period. These demographic changes may indicate an evolving need for diverse and affordable housing options.
West York's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but important portion of the city's housing stock. The program has provided significant federal funding for affordable housing development over nearly two decades. The current inventory falls short of the ideal 15-20% target for affordable housing. The demographic shifts observed in recent years, including population growth and increasing diversity, suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing options in West York.
