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El Cajon's Affordable Housing: Two Decades of LIHTC Development
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
El Cajon, a city in California, has a diverse affordable housing inventory supported by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The city's LIHTC-funded projects comprise 551 total units, with 508 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated 40,007 housing units in the city, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 1.38% of the city's housing inventory.
El Cajon has received $3,500,605 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 8 projects, this translates to an average of $437,576 in federal funding per project, or $6,353 per unit. The city holds 0.11% of California's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small but significant contribution to the state's affordable housing efforts.
The earliest LIHTC-funded projects in El Cajon date back to 1998, with Pinewood Apartments and Bella Vista Apartments Phase III. The most recent completed project is Cornerstone Place, finished in 2019. This 21-year span demonstrates a long-term commitment to affordable housing in the city.
The 1990s saw the most affordable housing activity, with three projects completed during this decade. Notable projects include Laurel Village Apartments (1999) and Lexington Green Apartments (2007).
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in El Cajon is diverse, featuring 159 one-bedroom units, 146 two-bedroom units, 73 three-bedroom units, and 4 four-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Two projects stand out for their targeted populations: Key Largo Apartments (2012) focuses on at-risk individuals, while Cornerstone Place (2019) is dedicated to veterans. These specialized projects address the unique housing needs of vulnerable groups within the community.
Over the past decade, El Cajon's population has grown modestly from 99,841 in 2010 to 104,417 in 2022. The median income has shown significant improvement, rising from $39,965 in 2013 to $66,045 in 2022. This income growth may indicate changing housing needs in the community.
Racial demographics have shifted slightly, with the Hispanic population increasing from 29% in 2013 to 37% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 55% to 48% during the same period. These changes in demographics may influence future affordable housing needs and planning.
El Cajon's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory, while modest in comparison to the overall housing stock, provides essential low-income units to the community. The city has maintained a consistent effort in developing affordable housing over two decades, with recent projects targeting specific populations like veterans and at-risk individuals. As the city's demographics and income levels continue to evolve, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial for maintaining a balanced housing market that serves all residents.
