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Brown Square: Affordable Housing Trends in a Changing Rochester 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
Brown Square, a neighborhood in Rochester, New York, had a population of 623 in 2022. The area features a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory, comprising 57 total units, with 56 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 23.8% of the neighborhood's estimated 239 housing units, exceeding the 15-20% target for a well-balanced community.
The LIHTC program has invested $844,618 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Brown Square, averaging about $14,818 per unit. Two notable LIHTC-funded projects exist in the neighborhood: Mills At High Falls Phase II, completed in 2011, and East House -- State Street Apts, completed in 2012. These projects indicate that affordable housing has been present in Brown Square for over a decade.
The early 2010s saw the most affordable housing development in Brown Square, with both LIHTC projects completed during this period. Mills At High Falls Phase II provides 12 units, including 11 low-income units, with a mix of one and two-bedroom apartments. East House -- State Street Apts offers 45 units, all of which are low-income, consisting entirely of one-bedroom apartments.
In total, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing in Brown Square comprises 46 one-bedroom units and 11 two-bedroom units, primarily serving individuals and small families.
Brown Square has experienced population fluctuations over the past decade, increasing from 335 in 2020 to 623 in 2022. The median income has shown significant variability, rising from $13,871 in 2017 to $25,367 in 2022. This increase in median income may suggest a changing economic landscape in the neighborhood.
The racial composition of Brown Square has evolved. The Black population decreased from 58% in 2017 to 36% in 2022, while the percentage of residents identifying as two or more races increased from 0% to 35% during the same period. The Hispanic population has remained relatively stable, ranging from 12-14% in recent years.
Brown Square demonstrates a strong commitment to affordable housing, with LIHTC-funded units covering nearly a quarter of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood's two LIHTC projects, completed in the early 2010s, provide a mix of one and two-bedroom units, primarily serving low-income residents. The substantial federal investment through tax credits underscores the importance of affordable housing in this community. Recent demographic changes, including population growth, increased median income, and shifts in racial composition, may impact future affordable housing needs and strategies in Brown Square.
