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Santa Rosa's Affordable Housing: LIHTC Impact and Demographic Changes
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Santa Rosa, a city in California's wine country, possesses a substantial Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing inventory. The city contains 3,124 total units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 3,017 designated as low-income units. This affordable housing stock comprises approximately 4.6% of the estimated 67,887 housing units in Santa Rosa, based on the 2022 population and national average household size.
Santa Rosa has received $22,381,684 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With approximately 39 projects, this amounts to an average of $573,889 in federal funding per project. When divided by the total number of units, it equates to about $7,165 in federal funding per unit. Santa Rosa holds 0.73% of California's total LIHTC funding, indicating a significant commitment to affordable housing in the city.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing spans nearly three decades, beginning with the Rosenburg Building in 1991 and continuing through to the Crossings on Aston in 2018. The 1990s witnessed considerable activity in affordable housing development, with projects such as Vintage Park Senior Apartments and Chelsea Gardens Apartments being completed during this period.
Santa Rosa's LIHTC-funded housing inventory is diverse, accommodating various household sizes. The distribution includes 335 efficiencies, 1,054 one-bedroom units, 721 two-bedroom units, 624 three-bedroom units, and 43 four-bedroom units. This distribution reflects an effort to accommodate different family sizes and living situations.
Certain projects are designed for specific populations. For example, the Grosman project, completed in 1993, and Cypress Ridge, completed in 2004, both target special needs populations, demonstrating a commitment to serving diverse community needs.
Over the past decade, Santa Rosa has experienced notable demographic changes. The population increased from 171,996 in 2013 to 177,185 in 2022, a 3% growth. Median income rose significantly, from $57,539 in 2013 to $95,403 in 2022, representing a 66% increase. The city has become slightly more racially diverse, with the white population decreasing from 58% to 51%, while the Hispanic population increased from 30% to 34%, and the Asian population grew from 4% to 7%.
These demographic shifts, particularly the substantial increase in median income, may have influenced the pace of LIHTC-funded affordable housing development in recent years. The last recorded LIHTC project, Crossings on Aston, was completed in 2018, suggesting a potential change in housing needs or priorities.
In conclusion, Santa Rosa's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory represents a significant investment in addressing housing needs for lower-income residents. The city's diverse housing stock, spanning nearly three decades of development, reflects an ongoing commitment to affordable housing. However, recent demographic changes, particularly in income levels, may be influencing current affordable housing strategies in the city.
