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Portsmouth's LIHTC Affordable Housing: A Decade of Growth Amidst Rising Incomes
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, a historic seaport city, has 216 total units of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing, with 189 designated as low-income units. This comprises approximately 2.55% of the city's estimated 8,482 housing units. The city has received $1,373,777 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program, averaging $196,254 per project and $6,360 per unit. Portsmouth's share of the total state LIHTC funding is 2.72%.
The city's affordable housing development spans from 1995 to 2011, with Mariner's Village being the first project and Wamesit Place the most recent. The 2000s saw significant expansion in affordable housing options, with projects such as Portsmouth Cottage (2004), Betty's Dream (2006), and Lafayette School (2009) being completed.
The LIHTC-funded housing stock in Portsmouth includes various unit types: 41 one-bedroom units, 11 two-bedroom units, 27 three-bedroom units, and 3 four-bedroom units. This diversity caters to different household sizes and needs.
Portsmouth's population has grown steadily from 21,235 in 2013 to 22,138 in 2022. The median income has increased from $80,457 in 2013 to $88,500 in 2022, with a peak of $106,963 in 2021. This upward trend in income may indicate a growing need for affordable housing options to maintain economic diversity.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable. The white population consistently represents around 87-88% of the total. The Asian population has slightly increased from 3% in 2013 to 4% in 2022, and those identifying as two or more races have risen from 1% to 3% over the same period.
Portsmouth's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a consistent effort to provide low-income housing options. The city has used federal funding to create diverse unit types, with projects spanning over a decade and a half. The rising median income and steady population growth suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing initiatives. While racial demographics have remained relatively stable, slight increases in diversity may indicate a need for continued focus on inclusive housing policies.
