How Do LIHTC Properties Affect their Surroundings?

March 24, 2017      By: Mark Shelburne

A recent analysis of academic research contains valuable observations for housing practitioners. In “The What, Where, and When of Place-Based Housing Policy’s Neighborhood Effects,” Keri-Nicole Dillman, Keren Mertens Horn and Ann Verrilli reviewed 16 studies examining low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) properties’ impacts on property values, neighborhood demographics, crime and education. In other words, how do developments affect their surroundings? The answers are important for program administrators and other interested parties when designing policies.

The researchers begin by noting two overall objectives applied to LIHTCs: “strengthening distressed communities and increasing access to higher opportunity neighborhoods.” Both of these are informed by knowing what developments mean for property values, poverty rates or income composition, racial composition, crime and school quality...........Read More