YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio – The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp. unveiled three duplexes the organization recently completed on Glenwood Avenue, each with a feature not commonly found in city residential developments.
“The most recent three are, I think, the first of their kind in the city, and as far as I know, the region too” said Ian Beniston, executive director of YNDC.
What makes these structures different is that they are equipped with solar arrays affixed to carports in the back of each duplex. Each array is capable of generating 15 kilowatts of solar power, capable of providing more capacity than the units consume, Beniston said.
“We’re actually creating more [energy] on-site than we’re using,” he said. Since all of the units contain electric heat and power, these utility costs amount to zero for the tenants, which ultimately make them more affordable. “There’s no gas; they’re all electric. The solar being connected to the grid gives you a credit on the electric bill, which means you have very low electric bills.”
More than two dozen stakeholders joined Beniston and YNDC’s staff during a ribbon-cutting ceremony Wednesday unveiling the new dwellings.
Beniston said these latest units were able to apply generous federal tax credits toward their projects that enabled YNDC to offset as much as 60% of the cost of the solar array. However, building more of these in the near-term is likely going to be challenging, since the tax credits were not renewed in 2025.
“They’re not going to be available to us going forward in the near-term, so we’re going to have to figure that out and other ways,” he said. “We love the concept and think this heightens the affordability of these units.”
Canopy Solar, Salem, installed the solar arrays. “Energy prices really are the driver,” said Dan Quinlan, a partner at Canopy Solar. “Your energy bills at your house seem to keep increasing – a 30% increase a few years ago, and it looks like another increase this year.”
Solar is one way to reduce these costs, he said, and the industry in the region has grown since the company started its solar division in 2008. “We’re pretty busy,” Quinlan said. “Most of the systems you see in the surrounding counties are usually us.”
He noted that approximately 15 years ago, the company may have installed five solar arrays across the region. “Now we do anywhere from 20 to 40 a year. It’s growing,” he said.
Quinlan said developments such as the YNDC project are important because the homes are not only efficient, they also act as a net energy producer. “Your electric energy costs will probably be your second-highest cost of ownership over the life of the building,” he said, aside from the mortgage. “For someone with a limited income, that’s going to be a much bigger portion of their livelihood.”
Beniston reported that all six units have been leased. The apartments range between $850 and $950 per month.
The duplexes, located at 3013, 3021 and 3031 Glenwood on the city’s South Side, total six apartments. Each unit includes two bedrooms, two bathrooms, an open concept kitchen, living and dining area, a front porch, and in-unit laundry and two covered parking spaces.
“Housing is one of those top issues across the nation, no matter where you live,” said outgoing Mayor Jamael Tito Brown. “No matter where I’m at, I’m going to continue watching and letting you guys know that I appreciate and support you.”
The project was made possible by grant awards from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Affordable Housing Program and the Mahoning County Continuum of Care. Construction financing was provided by PNC Bank and WesBanco. Permanent financing was provided by WesBanco.
“Strengthening our communities through revitalization is really at the heart of our business model,” said Ted Schmidt, regional president, Youngstown, PNC Bank. “We believe that being involved in the community is more than doing business.”
Josh Toot, market president at WesBanco, echoed the mayor’s comments over the need for affordable housing in the city. “It’s the biggest issue, in my opinion, in the city of Youngstown. We’re a proud partner, and you’re making our community better,” he said of YNDC.
Other stakeholders include the Mahoning County Land bank, which assembled the lots necessary to complete the project, which also included two additional duplexes that were finished last year. The city of Youngstown provided funding for improvements such as new sidewalks, dead tree removal and planting. Joe Koch Construction served as the builder on the new duplexes.
The latest three duplexes are part of YNDC’s ongoing work along the Glenwood Avenue corridor, Beniston said. He recalls 15 years ago this section of the road was home to dilapidated buildings and heaps of trash. Aside from new construction, YNDC recently purchased an existing rental house at the end of the block that was neglected and owned by an entity located out of the country.
“We’ll be renovating that. It’s parcel by parcel, block by block,” Beniston said. “We’ve come a long, long way when you look down the street here.”
Pictured at top: Ian Beniston, executive director of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp.