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Elmira, NY: Affordable Housing Trends in Mark Twain's Hometown
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Elmira, New York, has a significant presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The city has 784 units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 675 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 7.7% of Elmira's estimated housing inventory of 10,151 units.
Elmira has received $4,545,446 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With approximately 12 projects, this translates to an average of $378,787 in federal funding per project, or about $5,797 per unit. Elmira holds 0.22% of New York State's total LIHTC funding. The city's LIHTC-funded housing spans nearly three decades, from the earliest project in 1994 to the most recent projects in 2020.
The 2010s saw the most activity in affordable housing development in Elmira. The LIHTC-funded housing offers a diverse range of unit types, including 2 efficiencies, 409 one-bedroom units, 281 two-bedroom units, 78 three-bedroom units, and 14 four-bedroom units. The Lafrance Apartments, completed in 2020, targets populations with serious mental illness, post-incarceration individuals, and those with substance use disorders.
Elmira's population has gradually declined from 29,352 in 2010 to 26,494 in 2022. Despite this trend, the median income has shown overall growth, rising from $37,344 in 2013 to $40,598 in 2022. This increase in median income may indicate a changing economic landscape in the city.
The racial composition of Elmira has remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease in the White population (from 77% in 2013 to 74% in 2022) and small increases in Hispanic (3% to 6%) and multi-racial (3% to 8%) populations. These demographic shifts may influence the need for diverse affordable housing options.
Elmira's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in addressing the city's housing needs. With 784 units across approximately 12 projects, the city has consistently invested in affordable housing over nearly three decades. The diverse unit types and targeted projects demonstrate efforts to meet various community needs. The rising median income and subtle changes in racial composition suggest an evolving demographic landscape that may continue to shape affordable housing requirements in Elmira.
