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Canton's LIHTC Housing: Three Decades of Affordable Development in NFL's Birthplace
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Canton, Ohio, the birthplace of the National Football League, has a notable Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city possesses 475 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 349 designated as low-income units. This inventory comprises approximately 1.78% of the city's estimated 26,692 housing units.
Canton has received $2,845,806 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 20 projects, this averages $142,290 in federal funding per project, or about $5,991 per unit. The city holds 0.67% of Ohio's total LIHTC funding, indicating a modest share of the state's affordable housing resources.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded housing spans from 1987 to 2013. The initial projects, Homer Apts and North Canton, were completed in 1987, while the most recent named project, Mayfield Manor I, was finished in 2013. Significant affordable housing development occurred during the 1990s and early 2000s, with multiple projects completed during this period, including Gateway Estates, Vienna Woods, and Cherry Homes.
The LIHTC-funded housing in Canton offers diverse unit types. There are 39 efficiencies, 18 one-bedroom units, 71 two-bedroom units, 63 three-bedroom units, and 157 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating larger families within the affordable housing inventory.
Canton's population has gradually declined over the past decade, decreasing from 72,274 in 2014 to 69,666 in 2022. Despite this population decrease, the median income has risen from $29,497 in 2014 to $40,711 in 2022, indicating some economic improvement for residents.
The racial composition of Canton has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in diversity. The white population decreased from 73% in 2014 to 67% in 2022, while the Black population increased slightly from 17% to 20%. The Hispanic population also saw a small increase from 2% to 4% during this period.
The absence of new LIHTC projects in the last decade may be attributed to the declining population and increasing median income, potentially reducing the perceived need for additional affordable housing units. However, the persistent income gap and demographic shifts suggest that unmet affordable housing needs may still exist in the community.
Canton's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory covers a small percentage of the city's estimated housing stock. The city has received substantial federal funding for these projects over three decades, with a diverse range of unit types available. Despite a declining population, rising median incomes and shifting demographics indicate that affordable housing needs may continue to evolve in Canton. The analysis suggests that while LIHTC has played an important role in providing affordable housing, opportunities for further development to meet the changing needs of the community may exist.
