CPED - Community Development Division

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG)

Funding under this program must meet one of HUD’s three national objectives: benefit low/moderate income persons, aid in the prevention or elimination of slum or blight, or meet an urgent community development need. Eligible activities include: housing, public facilities and improvement, demolition, public services, code enforcement, economic development assistance, and planning. Estimated annual allocation is $3,300,000.

Home Investment Partnership (HOME)

Funding under this program is to develop and support affordable rental and home ownership through acquisition, new construction, reconstruction or rehabilitation. Eligible HOME projects include: homeowner rehabilitation, home buyer down payment assistance, development of affordable home ownership or rental housing, and tenant-based rental assistance. Estimated annual allocation is $450,000.

Emergency Solution Grant (ESG)

All funding is reviewed and recommended through the Mahoning/Youngstown Continuum of Care and can be used for emergency shelter, homeless prevention, rapid rehousing, street outreach, and administration/homeless management information systems, subject to HUD minimum and maximum limits in program areas. Estimated annual allocation is $280,000.

A Community Reinvestment Area (CRA) is a targeted area of land designated by the City of Youngstown on which property owners can receive tax incentives for constructing new or renovating existing buildings. The CRA Program permits municipalities, townships, or counties to designate areas where investment has been lagging to encourage revitalization of the existing housing stock and the development of new structures. Residential, commercial, and industrial projects are all eligible.

Ohio's Community Reinvestment Area Program was created in 1977 and revised in 1994 in sections 3735.65-70 of the Ohio Revised Code.

Youngstown City Council passed Ordinance 11-137 creating Community Reinvestment Area One on May 18, 2011 and was amended on July 20, 2011 by Ordinance 11-246.

Incentive Structure

Residential

• Remodeling (2 units or less; minimum $2,500): 10 year Exemption – 100% improved value only
• Remodeling (more than 2 units; minimum $5,000): 12 year Exemption – 100% improved value only
• New Construction: 15 year Exemption – 100% (improvements only, land value not exempted)

Commercial/Industrial

(Application fee of $750 payable to Ohio Department of Development applies. Local monitoring fee equal to 1% of amount of taxes exempted also applies. Minimum fee $500/ Maximum fee $2,500.)

• Remodeling (minimum $5,000): Up to 12 years as negotiated and approved in a CRA Agreement
• New Construction: Up to 15 years as negotiated and approved in a CRA Agreement

How to Apply

Residential

The Community Reinvestment Area Tax Abatement Program Application (see below) is to be submitted post-construction.

Commercial/Industrial

Applications for Commercial/Industrial projects must be approved prior to construction. To begin the process, contact the Department of Community Planning & Economic Development:

Community Planning & Economic Development - Community Development City Hall, 4th Floor 26 South Phelps Street Youngstown, OH 44503 Map Office Phone: (330) 744-1708 Fax: (330) 744-7522 Email: blhosey@youngstownohio.gov Hours of Operation: Monday - Friday, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM