YNDC Awarded $1.1M to Provide Assistance to Low-Income Homeowners
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation will receive $1.1 million in state funds to provide emergency home repairs and handicapped accessibility modifications for low-income homeowners.
The funds were awarded by the Ohio Department of Development’s Ohio Housing Trust Fund.
“We are grateful to the city of Youngstown, the Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati, United Way of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley, The Raymond John Wean Foundation, state Rep. Lauren McNally, state Sen. Michael Rulli and other partners for their support and partnership in making this possible,” said Ian Beniston, executive director of the YNDC.
The Ohio Housing Trust Fund provides affordable housing opportunities, expands housing services and improves housing conditions for low-income Ohioans and families. The $1.1 million to YNDC is funded by the Housing Assistance Grant Program, a competitive grant application process for eligible Ohio nonprofits designed to promote affordable housing opportunities and improve housing conditions for families and individuals at or below 50% of area median income.
“Getting our residents vibrant housing that meets their needs is a huge priority of mine at the Statehouse,” McNally said. “Government has to play a role in incentivizing new builds and repairs, or many of our hardworking friends and neighbors won’t have the living conditions necessary to be happy and independent.”
The Ohio Housing Trust Fund supports a range of housing activities, including housing development, emergency home repair, handicapped accessibility modifications and services related to housing and homelessness. Funds can be used for predevelopment costs, rental assistance, housing counseling, rehabilitation and new construction.
The YNDC will use the grant dollars to complete 373 units from March 1 through Feb. 28, 2025, with about 1,007 beneficiaries.
“The housing situation in the Mahoning Valley is a crisis that we have to meet head on with our hearts and our dollars,” McNally said. “I’m intentionally pushing for the passage of HB 3 to help supplement the great work of local partners like YNDC because serious investment is what it will take to make real change.”
McNally is sponsoring House Bill 3, legislation authorizing the creation of an affordable housing tax credit to spur development of modern housing units around the state.
Published by The Business Journal, Youngstown, Ohio.
