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Delano's Affordable Housing: LIHTC Contribution to Agricultural City's Housing Stock
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Delano, a California city known for its agricultural industry and as the birthplace of the United Farm Workers labor union, has a significant Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city's LIHTC program has contributed 815 total units, with 690 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated housing inventory of 20,214 units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 4% of the city's housing stock.
Delano has received $6,760,855 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With 13 approximate projects, this translates to an average of $520,066 in federal funding per project. The average federal funding per unit is $8,295, considering the total of 815 units in LIHTC-funded projects. Delano holds 0.22% of California's total LIHTC funding, indicating a modest but significant contribution to the state's affordable housing efforts.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing began in 1988 with the Quincy Street Apartments and has continued through 2018 with the completion of Delano Gardens. This 30-year span demonstrates a long-term commitment to affordable housing in the city. The 2000s saw the most affordable housing development activity, with multiple projects completed during this decade. Notable projects include Villas Santa Fe (2003), which caters to special needs populations, Maganda Park (2005), and Casas Del Valle (2006).
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in Delano is diverse, offering a mix of unit sizes. The inventory includes 81 one-bedroom, 259 two-bedroom, 175 three-bedroom, and 69 four-bedroom units, catering to various family sizes and needs. Villas Santa Fe stands out as a project targeting special needs populations, potentially addressing unique housing requirements for individuals with disabilities or specific care needs.
Over the past decade, Delano's population has remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 54,000 and 55,000 residents. The median income has shown a gradual increase from $47,320 in 2013 to $55,159 in 2022, suggesting a modest improvement in economic conditions. The racial composition of Delano has been consistent, with a predominantly Hispanic population (around 77%) throughout the last decade. The Asian population has slightly increased from 11% to 13%, while other racial groups have remained relatively stable. The steady demographic trends and gradual income growth may have influenced the continued development of affordable housing projects in Delano, addressing the needs of its diverse population.
Delano's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant effort to provide low-income housing options in the city. With 815 total units and 690 low-income units, the program contributes to about 4% of the city's estimated housing stock. The city has seen consistent development of affordable housing projects over three decades, with a focus on diverse unit sizes to accommodate different household needs. The steady population and gradual income growth, coupled with a consistent racial composition dominated by Hispanic residents, underline the ongoing importance of affordable housing initiatives in Delano.
