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Affordable Housing in Wrightwood: A Study of LIHTC Impact on a Changing Chicago 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
Wrightwood, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, has a population of 9,165 as of 2022. The area contains one Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing project, which provides 85 units, with 76 designated as low-income units. This LIHTC-funded housing represents approximately 2.4% of the neighborhood's estimated 3,511 housing units.
The LIHTC program has invested $1,275,000 in tax credits for affordable housing in Wrightwood. This equates to an average federal funding of $15,000 per unit in the LIHTC-funded project. The sole LIHTC project, Wrightwood Senior Apts, was completed in 2010, marking the introduction of LIHTC-funded affordable housing to the area.
The Wrightwood Senior Apts project offers a variety of unit types, including 5 efficiencies, 7 one-bedroom units, and 1 two-bedroom unit. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating smaller households, consistent with the project's name suggesting it serves senior residents.
Wrightwood's population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, fluctuating between 9,000 and 10,000 residents. The median income has varied, ranging from approximately $72,000 to $83,000. These figures suggest a middle-income neighborhood, which may explain the limited presence of LIHTC-funded housing.
The racial composition of Wrightwood has experienced changes in recent years. The neighborhood remains predominantly Black, comprising 78% of the population in 2022. However, there has been a gradual increase in the Hispanic population, rising from 3% in 2013 to 14% in 2022. Conversely, the White population has decreased slightly from 5% to 3% during the same period.
Wrightwood's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory consists of one project, Wrightwood Senior Apts, completed in 2010. This project provides 85 units, primarily serving smaller households, potentially seniors. While the LIHTC-funded housing represents a small percentage of the neighborhood's estimated housing stock, other affordable housing programs may be present in the area. The neighborhood's relatively stable population and middle-income status may influence the limited LIHTC development. The gradual demographic shifts, particularly the increasing Hispanic population, could potentially impact future affordable housing needs in Wrightwood.
