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Brightmoor's LIHTC-Funded Affordable Housing: A Decade of Stability in Detroit
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
The Brightmoor neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, features a notable presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The LIHTC inventory in Brightmoor comprises 173 total units, with 83 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 11,207 and using the national average household size, the estimated number of housing units in Brightmoor is approximately 4,294. The LIHTC funded affordable housing represents about 4% of the estimated housing inventory in the neighborhood.
The LIHTC program has invested $271,072 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Brightmoor. This investment translates to an average federal funding of approximately $1,567 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood. Affordable housing has been a component of Brightmoor's landscape for over two decades. The earliest LIHTC projects, Brightmoor Scattered Sites Phase I and II, were completed in 2000. The most recent project with a known completion date is Rouge Woods Apts, finished in 2009. This nine-year period marks a significant era of affordable housing development in the neighborhood.
The early 2000s witnessed the most affordable housing activity in Brightmoor, with projects completed in 2000, 2003, and 2004. Notable projects from this period include Brightmoor Homes II and Brightmoor Homes III. The LIHTC-funded housing inventory in Brightmoor consists of a mix of unit types. The neighborhood has 8 one-bedroom units, 15 two-bedroom units, 72 three-bedroom units, and 78 four-bedroom units. This distribution indicates a focus on accommodating larger families in the affordable housing stock.
Over the past decade, Brightmoor's population has fluctuated, showing a slight overall decline from 11,474 in 2013 to 11,207 in 2022. During this period, the median income has increased from $23,196 in 2013 to $28,559 in 2022, indicating a gradual economic improvement in the neighborhood. The racial composition of Brightmoor has remained relatively stable, with a predominant African American population. The percentage of Black residents increased slightly from 82% in 2013 to 88% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 13% to 6% over the same period.
Despite the absence of new LIHTC projects in the last decade, the demographic data suggests a continued need for affordable housing. The median income, while increasing, remains relatively low, indicating that a significant portion of the population might still benefit from affordable housing options.
Brightmoor's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, developed primarily in the early 2000s, contributes to meeting the neighborhood's housing needs. With 173 total units, including 83 low-income units, these projects provide housing options for approximately 4% of the estimated housing inventory. The focus on larger units suggests an emphasis on family-oriented affordable housing. While no new LIHTC projects have been completed in recent years, the neighborhood's demographic trends, including a stable population and modest income growth, indicate an ongoing need for affordable housing options. The LIHTC program has played a significant role in shaping Brightmoor's housing landscape, providing essential resources for low-income residents in this Detroit neighborhood.
