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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Helena, Montana's capital city, has developed an affordable housing inventory through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The city's LIHTC-funded housing comprises 450 total units, with 248 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 3.8% of Helena's estimated 11,764 housing units.
Helena has received $7,084,615 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With 11 projects, this equates to an average federal funding of $644,056 per project and $15,744 per unit. Helena holds 3.85% of Montana's total LIHTC funding, indicating its significant role in the state's affordable housing efforts.
The LIHTC program in Helena spans from 1995, when Shadow Mountain Apartments was completed, to 2015, when Guardian Apartments was finished. This 20-year period demonstrates a consistent commitment to affordable housing development in the city.
The 2000s saw the most affordable housing project completions in Helena. Notable developments include Ptarmigan Residences (2001), Pheasant Glen (2003), and Eagles Manor Residences III (2008). The housing inventory includes 120 efficiencies, 276 one-bedroom units, 31 two-bedroom units, and 14 three-bedroom units, catering to various household sizes and needs. Ptarmigan Residences specifically targets individuals with disabilities.
Helena's population has grown from 28,591 in 2013 to 30,703 in 2022. The median income has increased from $61,670 in 2013 to $63,761 in 2022, indicating a moderate improvement in economic conditions. Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease in the white population from 92% in 2013 to 89% in 2022, and small increases in Hispanic, Asian, and multiracial populations.
The absence of new LIHTC projects since 2015 may be attributed to the moderate income growth and relatively stable population, potentially reducing the immediate demand for additional affordable housing units.
Helena's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of the city's housing stock. The program has provided substantial federal funding for affordable housing development over two decades. While the pace of new LIHTC projects has slowed in recent years, the existing inventory offers a range of unit types to meet diverse needs. As Helena continues to grow and diversify, ongoing assessment of affordable housing needs will be crucial to ensure adequate housing options for all residents.