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Columbia's LIHTC-Funded Affordable Housing: A Three-Decade Evolution
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Columbia, Missouri, a city known for its educational institutions, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory of 1,201 total units, with 1,075 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 2.44% of the city's estimated 49,251 housing units.
Columbia has received $4,583,884 in project tax credits from the LIHTC program for affordable housing. With approximately 24 projects, this averages $191,000 in federal funding per project, or about $3,817 per unit. Columbia holds 1.31% of Missouri's total LIHTC funding.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing spans from 1988 to 2019. The first project, Kensington Tiger Apts, was completed in 1988, while the most recent, Bryant Walkway, was finished in 2019. The 2010s saw the most activity in affordable housing development, with notable projects including Edenton Ridge Apts, Gentry Estates, and the Mid-Missouri Veterans Campus.
Columbia's LIHTC-funded housing stock includes 218 efficiencies, 229 one-bedroom units, 337 two-bedroom units, 156 three-bedroom units, and 3 four-bedroom units. This distribution caters to various household sizes and needs.
Several projects in Columbia target specific populations. Bear Creek Apartments, Boone County Special Needs Affordable Housing, Oak Towers, Sinclair Estates, and Bryant Walkway all serve individuals with disabilities. These projects likely incorporate features to enhance accessibility and provide supportive services for residents with special needs.
Columbia's population increased from 108,872 in 2010 to 128,545 in 2022, an 18% growth. This population increase may have contributed to the continued development of affordable housing projects during this period. The median income in Columbia rose from $42,898 in 2013 to $58,067 in 2022, potentially indicating a growing need for affordable housing options as living costs increase.
As of 2022, Columbia's racial composition is 73% white, 11% Black, and 7% Asian. The presence of diverse communities may influence the distribution and design of affordable housing projects to ensure equitable access across different demographic groups.
Columbia's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of the city's housing stock. The city has consistently developed affordable housing projects over the past three decades, with a particular focus on serving individuals with disabilities in recent years. The growing population and rising median income suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing options in Columbia.
