Loading Content...
Grove City, Ohio: Analyzing Long-Term Affordable Housing Development in a Growing Suburb
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Grove City, Ohio, a suburban community southwest of Columbus, has a population of 50,732 as of 2022. The city's Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory comprises 454 total units, with 211 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 2.3% of the city's estimated 19,438 housing units.
Grove City has received $1,233,116 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 7 projects, this amounts to an average of $176,159 in federal funding per project, or $2,716 per unit. The city holds 0.29% of Ohio's total LIHTC funding, indicating a relatively small share of the state's affordable housing resources.
The affordable housing development in Grove City spans from 1992 to 2020. The earliest LIHTC projects, including Kathryns Place, Parkmead Apartments, and Sunset Ridge Apartments, were completed in 1992. The most recent project, Arrowleaf Apartments, was completed in 2020. This 28-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 in 1992 alone. The 2000s and 2020s each saw one project completion, indicating a more sporadic development pattern in recent years. Grove City's LIHTC-funded housing stock is predominantly composed of two-bedroom units, with 360 such units available. There are also 70 one-bedroom units and 4 three-bedroom units, providing a mix of options for different household sizes.
Over the past decade, Grove City has experienced consistent population growth, increasing from 42,359 in 2010 to 50,732 in 2022. This 19.8% growth rate suggests a rising demand for housing, including affordable options. The median income has also risen, from $75,843 in 2013 to $85,715 in 2022, potentially indicating a growing need for affordable housing options for lower-income residents.
The racial composition of Grove City has become slightly more diverse over the past decade. The white population decreased from 92% in 2013 to 85% in 2022, while the Black population increased from 3% to 5%, and the Asian population grew from 1% to 3%. This gradual diversification may influence future affordable housing needs and planning.
Grove City's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of the city's housing stock. The city has maintained a consistent, albeit limited, development of affordable housing projects over nearly three decades. With a growing and diversifying population, coupled with rising median incomes, Grove City may need to continue expanding its affordable housing options to meet the evolving needs of its residents. The concentration on two-bedroom units in the existing LIHTC projects suggests a focus on small families or couples, which may need to be reassessed based on changing demographics and household compositions.
