Youngstown releases city's housing conditions analysis in efforts to improve properties
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio - In an effort to improve housing quality for people living in Youngstown, several city groups are working together on a new housing conditions analysis that was just recently adopted by city council.
In a joint effort by the City of Youngstown’s Code Enforcement and Community Planning and Economic Development Departments, YSU’s Geography and Urban Regional Studies Program and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, a new Housing Conditions Analysis and Strategy report was released highlighting concerns about the city's housing properties.
"I don't think any of us want the city to continue and decline," said Ian Beniston, Executive Director of the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. "We want it to grow. We want to stabilize the population."
"The whole plan in itself is meant to provide and increasing the housing stock in Youngstown as far as the quality of housing," said Mike Durkin, City of Youngstown Blight Remediation and Code Enforcement Superintendent.
According to a press release issued by the city, these 7 strategies will be used to improve housing quality for those living in Youngstown:
1. Eliminate Abandoned Properties
2. Effectively Regulate Rental Properties
3. Address Nuisance Properties
4. Properly Zone and Regulate Community Residences
5. Assist Owner-Occupants with Home Repair
6. Develop and Incentivize Homebuyers
7. Encourage Development of New and Existing Housing
"Most of the housing in the city of Youngstown is old which means it needs investment," Beniston said. "So, this is what the strategies are about."
The plan was created by looking at citywide market analysis, rigorous local data analysis and feedback from nearly 2,000 city residents and stakeholders.
"Either rehabbing properties, building new structures or developing structure that could be developed," explained Durkin.
The plan will be funded through local health foundations, including the Mercy Health Foundation Mahoning Valley, the Western Reserve Health Foundation and the William Swanston Charitable Fund.
"I've been working in community development and housing in the city since 2008," Beniston said. "We've never had something this comprehensive. I don't think there's been one in decades. So, we're moving forward."
To view the entire analysis, click here.
