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Centerville's LIHTC-Dominated Affordable Housing Landscape: A Demographic Analysis
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Centerville, a neighborhood in Camden, New Jersey, demonstrates a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The neighborhood's LIHTC inventory comprises 1,221 total units, with 983 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 2,684 and using the national average household size of 2.61, the estimated number of housing units in the neighborhood is approximately 1,028. The LIHTC funded affordable housing covers about 118.7% of the estimated housing inventory, indicating that it encompasses most of the neighborhood's housing stock.
The LIHTC program has invested substantially in Centerville, with project tax credits totaling $18,647,839. This equates to an average federal funding of approximately $15,272 per unit across all LIHTC-funded projects in the neighborhood. The neighborhood has witnessed LIHTC-funded affordable housing projects from 2006 to 2020. The initial projects recorded were Antioch Manor and its phases, completed in 2006. The most recent project listed is Branch Village Phase I, completed in 2020. This 14-year span demonstrates a sustained commitment to affordable housing in Centerville.
The 2000s saw the most affordable housing activity, with multiple projects completed between 2006 and 2011. Notable projects from this period include Carl Miller Homes and Roosevelt Manor - Phase 7 (both completed in 2008), and John O. Parker Hall (completed in 2009).
Over the past decade, Centerville's population has fluctuated, peaking at 3,137 in 2016 and decreasing to 2,684 by 2022. The median income has shown an overall upward trend, rising from $11,301 in 2017 to $21,698 in 2022, with some fluctuations in between.
Regarding racial demographics, the neighborhood has experienced a gradual shift. The Black population has decreased from 60% in 2017 to 48% in 2022, while the Hispanic population has increased from 38% to 42% during the same period. There has also been a slight increase in the white population and those identifying as two or more races.
Despite the overall increase in median income, the continued development of LIHTC projects (such as Branch Village Phase I in 2020) suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing in the neighborhood. This could be attributed to income inequality or specific segments of the population still requiring affordable housing options.
Centerville's affordable housing landscape is heavily influenced by LIHTC-funded projects, which potentially cover more than the estimated housing inventory of the neighborhood. The area has seen consistent development of affordable housing over a 14-year period, with significant activity in the 2000s. Despite recent increases in median income, the ongoing development of LIHTC projects indicates a sustained need for affordable housing. The neighborhood's changing demographics, particularly the shifts in racial composition, may also play a role in shaping affordable housing needs and development in Centerville.
