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San Antonio's Affordable Housing Landscape: LIHTC Program's Impact on Urban Development
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
San Antonio, Texas has a significant presence of affordable housing funded through the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The city's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory consists of 16,642 total units, with 14,616 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated housing inventory of 564,331 units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing represents approximately 2.95% of the city's total housing stock.
San Antonio has received $12,062,856 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With approximately 144 projects, this translates to an average of $83,770 in federal funding per project. When considering the total number of units, the average federal funding per unit is about $725. The city holds 10.36% of the total state funding for LIHTC projects, indicating a significant portion of Texas' affordable housing efforts are concentrated in San Antonio.
The affordable housing inventory in San Antonio includes a diverse range of unit types. The distribution of units comprises 78 efficiencies, 1,991 one-bedroom units, 3,055 two-bedroom units, 1,989 three-bedroom units, and 75 four-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
The 2000s saw a surge in affordable housing development in San Antonio. Notable projects from this period include Summercity Townhomes (2000), Westcreek Townhomes (2001), and Science Park Seniors (2003). The city continued to add to its affordable housing stock in subsequent years, with projects like Esperanza At Palo Alto (2016) and Artisan At Judson Park (2017) being among the more recent developments.
Over the past decade, San Antonio has experienced steady population growth, increasing from 1,409,000 in 2013 to 1,472,904 in 2022. This growth trend suggests a continued need for affordable housing options. The median income has also risen, from $45,399 in 2013 to $58,829 in 2022, potentially indicating improved economic conditions for some residents but also potentially widening the affordability gap for others.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight increase in the Hispanic population from 63% in 2013 to 66% in 2022, while the white population decreased from 26% to 22% during the same period. This demographic composition underscores the importance of culturally sensitive affordable housing initiatives.
San Antonio's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a crucial role in addressing the city's housing needs. While it represents a small percentage of the total housing stock, the diverse range of unit types and consistent development over the years demonstrate ongoing efforts to provide affordable options. The city's significant share of state LIHTC funding highlights its commitment to affordable housing. As San Antonio continues to grow and evolve demographically, maintaining and expanding affordable housing options will remain an important consideration for city planners and policymakers.
