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LIHTC's Significant Role in Core City, Detroit: A Three-Decade Evolution of Affordable Housing
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Core City, a neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan, has a substantial presence of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area contains 679 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 524 of these designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 5,579 and the estimated 2,138 housing units, the LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises approximately 31.8% of the neighborhood's estimated housing inventory. This indicates a significant contribution to the area's affordable housing needs.
The LIHTC program has invested $6,197,555 in tax credits for affordable housing projects in Core City. This equates to an average federal funding of about $9,127 per unit. The neighborhood has experienced a long-term commitment to affordable housing, with projects spanning from 1994 to 2019. The earliest project, "Mcgraw - West Grand," was completed in 1994, while the most recent, "Roberts Iii Apartments," was finished in 2019.
The 2000s were particularly active for affordable housing development in Core City. Notable projects from this decade include "Core City Estates Phase I" and "Martin Luther King Homes" in 2005, followed by "Core City Estates Phase Ii," "Heritage Place At Magnolia," and "Core City West Village Homes" in 2006.
The affordable housing inventory in Core City is diverse, with a mix of unit sizes. There are 250 one-bedroom units, 187 two-bedroom units, 118 three-bedroom units, and 61 four-bedroom units. This variety accommodates different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Over the past decade, Core City has experienced some demographic changes. The population has decreased from 6,653 in 2018 to 5,579 in 2022. Despite this decline, the median income has fluctuated, rising from $24,096 in 2018 to $21,763 in 2022. This indicates a complex economic landscape that may continue to require affordable housing options.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease in the Black population from 78% in 2018 to 76% in 2022, and a small increase in the Hispanic population from 13% to 15% over the same period. The White population has remained steady at around 4-5%.
Core City's affordable housing landscape is characterized by a significant LIHTC presence, covering nearly one-third of the estimated housing inventory. The neighborhood has benefited from consistent investment in affordable housing over more than two decades, with a particular focus in the 2000s. The diverse unit mix suggests an attempt to meet varied housing needs. While the population has decreased slightly in recent years, the continued presence of LIHTC projects, including one completed as recently as 2019, indicates an ongoing commitment to maintaining affordable housing options in the neighborhood. The demographic shifts, though modest, may influence future affordable housing needs and strategies in Core City.
