Loading Content...
Loading Content...
Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, has a Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory of 619 total units, with 539 designated as low-income units. This represents approximately 2.21% of the city's estimated 28,034 housing units. The city has received $14,598,032 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program, averaging $768,317 in federal funding per project across 19 projects. The average federal funding per unit is $23,583. Lancaster holds 2.44% of Pennsylvania's total LIHTC funding allocation.
The development of affordable housing through LIHTC in Lancaster spans from 1987 to 2010. The first projects, "134-142 S Queen St" and "209-211 W King," were completed in 1987, while the most recent projects, "Garden Court" and "Park Avenue Apts," were finished in 2010. This indicates a 23-year history of LIHTC-funded affordable housing in the city. The 1980s saw the highest number of affordable housing projects completed, with seven projects built during this decade.
The LIHTC-funded housing inventory in Lancaster consists of 18 efficiencies, 252 one-bedroom units, 301 two-bedroom units, 25 three-bedroom units, and 2 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating small families and individuals.
Lancaster's population has remained relatively stable over the past decade, decreasing slightly from 73,990 in 2015 to 73,168 in 2022. The median income has increased significantly, rising from $47,018 in 2015 to $59,990 in 2022. This upward trend in income may indicate a reduced need for additional affordable housing in recent years.
The racial composition of Lancaster has remained fairly consistent over the past decade. The Hispanic population has consistently represented about 34-35% of the total population, while the White population has slightly decreased from 48% to 47%. The Black population has remained steady at around 11-12%, and there has been a small increase in the Asian population and those identifying as two or more races.
Lancaster's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a small but significant portion of its housing stock. The city has benefited from over $14 million in tax credits, supporting 19 projects over 23 years. While the majority of projects were completed in the 1980s and early 1990s, the most recent developments in 2010 indicate ongoing efforts to address affordable housing needs. The diverse unit mix caters to various household sizes, with a predominance of one and two-bedroom units. Although no new LIHTC projects have been reported in the last decade, the city's rising median income and stable population suggest changing dynamics in affordable housing demand. The consistent racial diversity of the city underscores the importance of maintaining an inclusive approach to affordable housing development.