YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) — Youngstown administration has been working to bring people to the city with housing incentives and Tuesday, members of the city council were pleased with how one of the programs is progressing.
Youngstown’s Housing Director John Noga updated City Council’s Community Planning and Economic Development Committee on the status of the At Home in Youngstown Program.
“At this point, we have successfully placed 40 individuals or families in new homes in the Youngstown area,” said Noga.
The program provides down payments of up to $10,000 for people buying new homes in Youngstown. In four months, 40 people have used the down payments to buy homes, 21 of them on the West Side.
Catholic Charities has also 27 applicants waiting to be approved with 11 people requesting energy-efficient upgrades and home repair.
“Now that these people are in their homes, we are seeing the requests for energy efficient upgrades or repairs that were identified in the home inspection report,” Noga said.
“I think 40 new homeowners in four months is fantastic so kudos to my staff and all the hard work that you’ve done,” CPED Director Nikki Posterli.
Councilman Mike Ray requested details on who’s buying the houses. For example, has anyone from out of the area moved to Youngstown?
Those numbers will be provided at a future meeting.
Councilman Julius Oliver was pleased with the program so far.
“I’m sure it’ll go up as people learn about the program, as people see that it’s successful for other residents in the city. I’m sure people will buy into the program as well,” he said.