Evaluating Exposure to Crime Among LIHTC Building Types and Characteristics in Ohio

Studies on the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program have found that whereas LIHTC buildings are more likely to be placed in regions with higher crime incidence, the construction of a unit has either a negative or a neutral impact on crime. Few studies, however, account for the substantial variation in building type and building characteristics that exist within the LIHTC program. This article focuses on a subset of 462 buildings in Ohio to analyze how building type and building characteristics may influence violent crime exposure at the time of placement and over time. We find both initial crime exposure and change in crime over time varied by building type and characteristics. General occupancy buildings were placed in areas with significantly higher crime rates than in the locations where senior buildings were placed. Regional density and unit concentration were significantly associated with crime at placement and over time. Scattered-site buildings were most highly associated with higher crime exposure at placement and with crime increases over time. We use these findings to provide recommendations for researchers and state policymakers as they construct Qualified Allocation Plans.