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Uptown Chicago: LIHTC-Funded Affordable Housing Shapes Neighborhood Dynamics
CATEGORY
Affordable Housing
DATA
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
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Affordable Housing
LIHTC Projects
Median Income
Racial Distributions
Population
Uptown, a neighborhood in Chicago, Illinois, contains a substantial amount of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) funded affordable housing. The area has 1,538 units in LIHTC-funded projects, with 1,174 designated as low-income units. Uptown's estimated population in 2022 was 24,423. Using the national average household size of 2.61, the neighborhood is estimated to have approximately 9,357 housing units. LIHTC-funded affordable housing comprises about 16.4% of the estimated housing inventory, approaching the target percentage for a balanced community.
The LIHTC program has made significant investments in Uptown, with project tax credits totaling $9,100,769. This equates to an average federal funding of about $5,917 per unit in LIHTC-funded projects. Affordable housing development in Uptown has a long history, with the earliest LIHTC projects, Hazel-Winthrop and 936 W Sunnyside Ave, completed in 1987. The most recent project with available data, Harold Washington Apts, was completed in 2012, indicating at least 25 years of continuous affordable housing development in the neighborhood.
The 1990s experienced significant affordable housing activity, with notable projects like Magnolia Gardens and Sheridan Plaza completed during this decade. The 2010s also saw substantial development, including Wilson Yard Apts, Kenmore Senior Housing, and Wilson Senior projects. Uptown's LIHTC-funded housing stock offers a diverse range of unit types to accommodate various household sizes, including 117 efficiencies, 355 one-bedroom units, 365 two-bedroom units, 145 three-bedroom units, and 15 four-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating smaller households and families.
One notable project, Harold Washington Apts, completed in 2012, specifically targets individuals with special needs. This project demonstrates a commitment to addressing the unique housing requirements of vulnerable populations in the neighborhood.
Over the past decade, Uptown has experienced demographic shifts. The population grew from 20,982 in 2013 to 24,423 in 2022, indicating increased housing demand. Median income fluctuated, rising from $35,770 in 2013 to a peak of $52,243 in 2019, before declining to $48,807 in 2022. This trend suggests an ongoing need for affordable housing options. Racial demographics have remained relatively stable, with slight increases in Hispanic and Black populations and a small decrease in the White population. The Asian population has remained fairly constant. This diversity underscores the importance of maintaining a mix of affordable housing options to serve various community segments.
Uptown's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a crucial role in meeting the neighborhood's housing needs. With 16.4% of the estimated housing stock being affordable units, Uptown approaches the target for a well-balanced community. The neighborhood has benefited from consistent LIHTC investment over at least 25 years, resulting in a diverse range of unit types and targeted projects like those for seniors and individuals with special needs. As Uptown continues to grow and evolve demographically, maintaining and potentially expanding its affordable housing stock will be essential to ensure housing accessibility for all residents.
