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St. Louis: LIHTC Affordable Housing in the Gateway City
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
St. Louis, Missouri has a significant inventory of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The city's LIHTC program has contributed 8,341 total units, with 6,649 designated as low-income units. Based on the estimated housing inventory of 109,800 units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing covers approximately 7.6% of the city's housing stock.
St. Louis has received $29,636,755 in project tax credits for affordable housing through the LIHTC program. With approximately 281 projects, this translates to an average federal funding of $105,469 per project and $3,553 per unit. St. Louis holds 8.45% of Missouri's total LIHTC funding, indicating a substantial commitment to affordable housing in the city.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing began in 1987 with projects like Irving School and Sherdan Apts. The most recent projects, completed in 2020, include Star Residences Phase II, Chippewa Park, and Finney Place. This 33-year span demonstrates a long-term commitment to affordable housing in St. Louis.
The 1990s saw an increase in affordable housing development, with numerous projects completed during this decade. Notable projects from this era include University Club Towers (1994), Merchandise Mart Project (2002), and Parkview Gardens Rehabilitation II (1997).
St. Louis's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory includes a mix of unit types. The breakdown consists of 195 efficiencies, 2,925 one-bedroom units, 2,001 two-bedroom units, 1,242 three-bedroom units, and 234 four-bedroom units. This variety caters to different household sizes and needs within the low-income population.
Several recent projects have focused on serving specific populations. For example, the 3010 Apartments, Union Sarah Apartments, and Village At Delmar Place, all completed in 2015, target individuals with disabilities. This focus on specialized housing addresses the unique needs of vulnerable populations within the community.
Demographic trends over the last decade reveal correlations with LIHTC developments. St. Louis has experienced a population decline, from 319,156 in 2010 to 286,578 in 2022. Despite this decrease, the median income has risen from $34,488 in 2013 to $52,847 in 2022. This income growth may indicate changing housing needs and affordability challenges for some residents.
Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with a slight decrease in the Black population (from 48% in 2013 to 42% in 2022) and a small increase in the White population (from 43% in 2013 to 45% in 2022). The Hispanic population has grown from 4% to 5% during this period. These shifts may influence the distribution and focus of future affordable housing projects.
St. Louis has maintained a consistent commitment to affordable housing through the LIHTC program over the past three decades. The city's diverse housing inventory, targeting various household sizes and special needs populations, reflects an effort to address the housing challenges faced by low-income residents. While the LIHTC-funded units represent a significant portion of the city's housing stock, ongoing demographic changes and rising median incomes suggest a need for continued attention to affordable housing strategies in St. Louis.
