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Westland's Affordable Housing: Three Decades of LIHTC 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
Westland, Michigan, has a significant presence of affordable housing funded by the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program. The city's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory comprises 929 total units, with 759 designated as low-income units. Based on the 2022 population of 84,023 and an estimated housing inventory of 32,193 units, LIHTC-funded affordable housing units represent approximately 2.89% of the city's estimated housing stock.
Westland has received $3,772,249 in project tax credits through the LIHTC program. With approximately 12 projects, this translates to an average of $314,354 in federal funding per project. The average federal funding per unit is about $4,061. Westland holds 1.28% of Michigan's total LIHTC funding, indicating a substantial contribution to the state's affordable housing efforts.
The city's involvement with LIHTC-funded affordable housing began in 1987 with the 33035-41 Alamo project and continues through 2017 with the Greenwood Villa project, spanning three decades of affordable housing development. The 1980s saw the most activity in LIHTC-funded affordable housing development, with four projects completed during this decade. Notable projects from this era include 33035-41 Alamo, 2017 Elbridge Ct, 2336-38 Deerfield, and 32605-07 Montmorency.
Westland's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory includes a diverse mix of unit types. Out of the 929 total units, there are 443 one-bedroom units, 354 two-bedroom units, and 37 three-bedroom units. This distribution suggests a focus on accommodating smaller households and families.
Over the past decade, Westland's population has remained relatively stable, with a slight increase from 81,524 in 2019 to 84,023 in 2022. During this period, the median income has shown a consistent upward trend, rising from $54,303 in 2019 to $56,630 in 2022. This increase in median income might indicate a growing need for affordable housing options to support lower-income residents.
Racial distribution data for 2021 shows a diverse community with 68% White, 18% Black, 6% Hispanic, 4% Asian, and 4% identifying as two or more races. This diversity underscores the importance of providing affordable housing options that cater to various cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
Westland's LIHTC-funded affordable housing inventory plays a significant role in addressing the city's housing needs. With 929 total units and 759 low-income units, these projects contribute to the city's housing diversity. The steady population and rising median income over the past decade suggest an ongoing need for affordable housing options. The city's diverse racial composition further emphasizes the importance of maintaining and potentially expanding affordable housing initiatives to ensure equitable access to housing for all residents.
