The 2000s saw the most affordable housing activity, with two projects completed during this decade: Heritage Woods of Benton in 2004 and Hunter's Trace Subdivision in 2009. The earliest project, Smith Corbin Apts, was completed in 1994.

The affordable housing inventory in Benton includes a diverse mix of unit types. Out of the 150 total units, there are 44 efficiencies, 57 one-bedroom units, 17 two-bedroom units, and 32 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on smaller households and potentially seniors or individuals.

Over the past decade, Benton's population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 8,700 and 8,900 residents. The median income has shown a general upward trend, increasing from $38,025 in 2013 to $45,586 in 2022, which might indicate improving economic conditions for some residents.

Racially, Benton has maintained a predominantly white population, consistently above 90% throughout the decade. However, there has been a slight increase in diversity, with the Hispanic population growing from 2% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, and the proportion of residents identifying as two or more races increasing from 1% to 4% in the same period.

The lack of new LIHTC projects in the last decade could be related to the relatively stable population and gradual income growth, which may have reduced the perceived need for additional affordable housing units.

Benton's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of its housing stock. The city has benefited from federal funding to create diverse housing options, primarily developed in the 1990s and 2000s. While demographic trends show stability in population and gradual income growth, the slight increase in diversity might suggest evolving housing needs in the future. The analysis highlights the role of LIHTC in providing affordable housing options in Benton, contributing to the city's housing landscape over the past three decades.