Loading Content...
East End, Cincinnati: Affordable Housing Amidst Economic Growth
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
East End, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, Ohio, possesses a small inventory of affordable housing funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. As of 2022, the neighborhood's population stood at 3,530 residents. The LIHTC program has financed 15 affordable housing units in this area, all of which are categorized as low-income units. These units represent approximately 1.1% of the neighborhood's estimated 1,352 housing units.
The LIHTC projects in East End have received $108,750 in tax credits, averaging $7,250 per unit in federal funding. The neighborhood has maintained a presence of LIHTC-funded affordable housing for over three decades. The initial project, Mead, was completed in 1989, while the most recent project, Lewiston Townhomes, was finalized in 1995.
The 1990s marked the period of highest activity for affordable housing project completion in East End. Notably, Lewiston Townhomes, completed in 1995, provides 11 three-bedroom units, addressing the needs of families requiring larger living spaces.
East End has undergone demographic changes over the past decade. The population decreased from 4,406 in 2014 to 3,530 in 2022, a reduction of approximately 20%. Despite this population decline, the median income increased significantly from $56,102 in 2014 to $82,416 in 2022, representing a 47% increase.
The racial composition of East End has remained relatively consistent, with a predominantly white population. However, a slight increase in diversity has occurred, with minor increases in Asian, Hispanic, and multiracial residents.
The rising median income and stable racial composition suggest that the neighborhood may have experienced some gentrification over the past decade. This trend could potentially explain the absence of new LIHTC projects in recent years, as the overall economic profile of the neighborhood may have shifted away from the typical target demographic for affordable housing programs.
East End's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while limited, has been a long-standing component of the neighborhood. The 15 low-income units, primarily consisting of three-bedroom apartments, indicate a focus on family-oriented affordable housing. However, these units constitute only a small portion of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood has experienced substantial economic growth in recent years, as evidenced by the rising median income, which may have influenced the lack of new LIHTC developments. As the neighborhood continues to evolve, monitoring how these demographic shifts impact the need for and availability of affordable housing options in East End will be important.
