Program aims to increase home ownership in Youngstown, offers $10K for downpayment assistance

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) – A new program designed to jumpstart home ownership in the City of Youngstown has begun.

“At Home in Youngstown” is a result of $5 million allocated through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). It’s a collaborative effort through the city and certain lenders to provide $10,000 to approved applicants for downpayment and closing cost assistance toward the purchase of a home.

After purchasing, applicants may also be approved for an additional $15,000 for energy-efficient upgrades to the home.

The city’s housing director, John Noga, said since the program started on Monday, he has been receiving a lot of responses from interested applicants.

“The response has been huge. I’ve taken over 300 phone calls at this office… [Catholic Charities] has probably received in excess of over 100 calls,” he said.

Noga said At Home in Youngstown is the first initiative designed to address housing issues in the city, something that he said is needed in the area.

“There’s a lot of people who actually can afford a home and can put maybe some money down toward a downpayment, but the downpayment is a huge obstacle for a lot of families,” he said.

Eligible applicants are required to purchase a single-family home or condominium in the City of Youngstown. The home must be the purchaser’s primary place of residence, and they must live there for at least five years, Noga said. Applicants are also required to participate in a homebuyer education program offered by Catholic Charities Regional Agency.

“As a person who has gone through home-buying counseling myself, I’m a huge proponent of that type of program… It sets you up to be very successful as a homeowner because it makes you sort of realize what you actually can afford, it clears up any misconceptions that you may have about home ownership, and just places you in a very strong position to successfully purchase a home and be able to take care of it over the long haul,” Noga said.

The program will run through 2026. To apply, contact Catholic Charities Regional Agency at 330-744-3320.

Nancy Voitus, executive director of Catholic Charities, said because they have already been inundated with calls, they’re asking interested applicants to call back between 9 and 10 a.m. Monday to speak with someone who will give them instructions. Employees are currently going through the calls that they have already received.

Noga said his department’s next goal is to spur the development of new housing in the city so there are more options.

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