Neighborhoods

In 2020, when the COVID-19 shutdown orders were issued, many were stuck at home, including Martha Taylor. Additionally, rent was rising, leaving her in what felt like an impossible situation.

During that time, Martha decided she wanted to own a home. She had rented her entire life and wanted to invest in something that was truly hers. Martha started researching and came across Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation and its Housing Counseling Program.

Over the years, Martha participated in YNDC’s program to better understand her budget and the homebuying process. With her dedication and YNDC’s support, she felt ready, but she had one last thing to work on. “I was already primed. Things were already in motion, but YNDC had done the biggest part of it, which was getting my credit in order."

Her credit was her biggest hurdle. She needed to improve her credit and eliminate her credit card debt. She said it was with Alex’s guidance that she was able to pay off her credit cards faster than she imagined. “I thought to pay off the larger ones first, and then work on the smaller ones, but Alex said it was better to get the smaller ones out of the way and then focus on the larger ones. Within a six-month period, I paid off five credit cards.”

Once her credit cards were paid off, Martha said God had guided her to buying a home. “I believe it was God who led me to it, because I was looking at a mortgage calculator and it popped up. I was like, ‘What in the world is this?’ I went to it, applied, and all the while, I still had Alex giving me counsel on what I should do.”

After six years, Martha found her home and moved in. “I’m relieved to be in my own home. This whole place is mine. I’m so glad I’m no longer renting, too. Rent was actually getting close to double the mortgage. I truly believe God led me to this house.”

Martha says she recommends the counseling program to any homebuyer. “In the long run, it helps you get your finances in order and look at your finances differently than how you did before.”

To enroll in the Housing Counseling Program, call 330.480.0423.

YNDC is seeking qualified candidates for Owner-Occupied Home Repair Project Assistant.

Under the supervision of the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Project Coordinator, the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Project Assistant will complete programmatic tasks including processing incoming bids, document preparation for inspectors, clients and funders, preparing building permit applications, processing check requests, preparing files for closure, and general filing.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to jkendall@yndc.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

YNDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

Sue Fabian is the Real Estate Development Administrative Assistant for Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Under the supervision of the Housing Director, Sue will assist with administration of YNDC’s Strategic Acquisition and Rehabilitation and New Construction housing programs.

Contact Sue at sfabian@yndc.org

Brycen Mahone is a Grass Cutting and Clean Up Team Member for the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Brycen collaborates with a team of professional and labor staff in the implementation of large scale grass cutting and clean up of vacant homes, boarding of vacant housing, vacant lot management, basic construction, and other field and maintenance projects to improve the quality of life in strategic Youngstown neighborhoods.

Alex Manda is a Property Survey Intern. Alex will conduct a citywide housing quality and property conditions survey of the neighborhoods in Youngstown. This will include traveling every street and conducting a parcel-by-parcel survey documenting the occupancy status and condition of every residential and commercial property in the city of Youngstown. Conditions to be identified include vacant structures, vacant structures that are clearly abandoned, and occupied structures with major exterior deficiencies.

YNDC is seeking qualified candidates for Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program Assistant.

Under the supervision of the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Client Coordinator, the Owner-Occupied Home Repair Program Assistant will complete programmatic tasks including answering and making phone calls, client database maintenance, document preparation and processing, filing, and scheduling.

To apply, please send cover letter and resume to jkendall@yndc.org

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE.

YNDC IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER COMMITTED TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION.

Tuesday, June 9, 2026

YNDC has completed more sidewalk replacement on Glenwood Avenue and Canfield Road. 

Both roads are primary walking paths and have not undergone a comprehensive sidewalk replacement program in decades. YNDC replaced all failing and broken sidewalks on Canfield Road from Glenwood Avenue to Lanterman's Mill. YNDC also replaced the remaining broken and failing sidewalks on Glenwood Avenue. 

In 2025, the City of Youngstown completed a targeted sidewalk replacement effort on Glenwood Avenue. The joint efforts have resulted in replacing all broken and failing sidewalks along Glenwood Avenue. 

Big thanks to the City of Youngstown, Mayor McDowell, Councilman Julius Oliver, Councilwoman Cynthia McWilson, former Councilwoman Anita Davis, former Councilwoman Lauren McNally, Concrete Queen LLC, and all who have supported this effort!

Funding totaling $425,000 has been approved for affordable housing initiatives in Mercer County.

The money will be distributed for four housing and community development initiatives by the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement fund. The initiatives are:

City of Sharon New Construction for Affordable Homeownership: Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corp., $200,000 to build four, high-quality family homes in a transitional neighborhood.

To read the full article from The Business Journal, click here.

State officials have approved $425,000 to help fund affordable housing programs in Mercer County. The local funding is part of a larger state package totaling $93.4 million distributed across Pennsylvania.

Rep. Parke Wentling announced the money on Thursday. The local funds come from the Pennsylvania Housing Affordability and Rehabilitation Enhancement program. This program gets money from natural gas impact fees and the state's realty transfer tax.

The state divided the Mercer County money among four local initiatives. The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation will get $200,000 to build four homes for families in a transitional neighborhood in the city of Sharon.

To read the full article from WFMJ, click here.

Wednesday, June 24, 2026

On June 17, the Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation awarded a $25,000 grant to the Glenwood Fresh Market.

The market, located at 2915 Glenwood Avenue, provides year-round access to FREE fresh fruits, vegetables, and other healthy food items for residents of Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. The market also provides free health screenings, nutrition literacy courses, cooking demonstrations, and other health resources to members. 

Big thanks to the Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation for the support!