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East Bakersfield's Affordable Housing: A Single LIHTC Project in a Predominantly Hispanic 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
East Bakersfield, a neighborhood in Bakersfield, California, has a population of 13,057 as of 2022. The area contains one Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing project, providing 50 units, with 49 designated as low-income units. This LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 1% of the neighborhood's estimated 5,003 housing units.
The LIHTC program has invested $788,228 in tax credits for affordable housing in East Bakersfield, averaging $15,765 per unit in federal funding. The sole LIHTC project, "Residences At Old Town Kern," was completed in 2014. This project offers a mix of 19 one-bedroom, 16 two-bedroom, and 15 three-bedroom units, accommodating various household sizes and needs.
East Bakersfield has experienced demographic shifts over the past decade. The population has remained relatively stable, while the median income has shown an overall upward trend, increasing from $20,963 in 2013 to $27,187 in 2022, a 29.7% growth. Racial demographics have remained fairly consistent, with the Hispanic population being the predominant group, consistently accounting for around 80-82% of the neighborhood's population.
The white population has increased slightly from 5% in 2013 to 12% in 2022, while the Black population has decreased from 8% to 4% during the same period. The completion of the LIHTC project in 2014 coincides with a period of relative demographic stability in the neighborhood, suggesting that the affordable housing development was implemented in response to ongoing community needs.
East Bakersfield's affordable housing landscape is characterized by a single LIHTC-funded project that provides 50 units, with nearly all designated for low-income residents. This project contributes to the neighborhood's affordable housing stock but represents a small portion of the estimated total housing inventory. The neighborhood has experienced moderate income growth and relative stability in its racial composition over the past decade, with the Hispanic population remaining the majority. The LIHTC investment in 2014 reflects an effort to address ongoing affordable housing needs in this diverse community.
