YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -- Eastgate Regional Council of Governments is exploring possibilities to replenish housing stock in the state's Appalachian counties.
One possibility is the state capital budget, although nothing has been submitted.
"Obviously, to build a house in Columbus and to build a house in Youngstown - same price but you can sell it for a lot more [in Columbus]," Jim Kinnick, executive director of the Eastgate Regional Council of Governments, said Monday at an Eastgate general policy board meeting. "So we need more incentives. We need more abatements. We need ideas to help us attract more builders in our area."
Eastgate covers Mahoning, Trumbull and Ashtabula counties, but the need exists in the state's four local development districts, he said.
For about a year, the Greater Ohio Policy Center, which was contracted by Eastgate, has been working on a housing study of Mahoning and Trumbull counties. On Jan. 16, Eastgate, along with the Youngstown/Warren Regional Chamber, will host a housing action plan meeting where GOPC will announce recommendations and a housing strategy for the two counties.
A housing needs assessment last month found a lack of diverse housing at a variety of prices in the two counties. It reported that affording a home is a challenge for households that earn between 30% and 50% of the area's median income, but it's even more challenging for households earning less. For a family of three, 50% of the area's median income is $77,200 annually.
In another matter, Kinnick said the agency resubmitted its request for a federal grant to study elimination of the Madison Avenue Expressway and vacant service roads and to tie the city's North Side into downtown.
"Again, this is just planning money to see if it's feasible," he said.
It needs to be studied to determine if it would work.
Eastgate also plans to submit two $20 million U.S. Environmental Protection Agency grants for improvement projects.
"This is a one-time shot at money," Justin Mondok said. "This is not going to be a continuing program the U.S. EPA will have."
Mondok noted that whatever direction the federal department goes in; they believe their region is well-positioned to secure some federal funds.
- The first project focuses on energy efficiency and healthy housing through indoor air quality improvements and lead remediation efforts supported by community partnerships like Healthy Community Partnership of Mahoning Valley.
- The second project aims at improving stormwater and wastewater infrastructure within Youngstown areas such as Struthers & Girard based on collaboration with local groups .