Rep. McNally Announces $1.1 million for Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation
COLUMBUS- State Rep. Lauren McNally (D-Youngstown) today announced the awarding of $1.1 million in state funds from the Ohio Department of Development’s (DEV) Ohio Housing Trust Fund (OHTF) for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) to provide emergency home repairs and handicapped accessibility modifications to homeowners who are at or below 50% of Area Median Income in Mahoning County.
“Getting our residents vibrant housing that meets their needs is a huge priority of mine at the Statehouse. 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,” said Rep. McNally.
The OHTF 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 OHTF’s 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.
“The housing situation in Mahoning Valley is a crisis that we have to meet head on with our hearts and our dollars. 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,” said Rep. McNally.
The OHTF supports a wide range of housing activities including housing development, emergency home repair, handicapped accessibility modifications, and services related to housing and homelessness. Dollars may be used for predevelopment costs, rental assistance, housing counseling, rehabilitation, and new construction. YNDC will use the grant dollars to complete 373 units beginning March 1, 2023 through February 28, 2025, with approximately 1,007 beneficiaries.
“YNDC is grateful and excited to announce this major $1.11 million grant award from the State of Ohio, Ohio Housing Trust Fund, Housing Assistance Grant Program that will allow us to assist dozens of Youngstown and Mahoning County households with critical home repairs and continue our ongoing neighborhood stabilization efforts,” said Ian Beniston, Executive Director, YNDC. “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 Representative Lauren McNally, State Senator Michael Rulli, and other partners for their support and partnership in making this possible.”
Rep. McNally is currently sponsoring House Bill (HB) 3, housing priority legislation authorizing the creation of an affordable housing tax credit to spur development of modern housing units around the state.