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Land Bank, YNDC Mark Milestone In Efforts To Rehab Vacant Homes

Land Bank, YNDC Mark Milestone in Efforts to Rehab Vacant Homes

 

Leaders from the Mahoning County Land Bank and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation say the recent celebration of YNDC’s 100th vacant home renovation demonstrates the power of collaboration.

The move-in-ready home at 4202 Rush Blvd. on Youngstown’s south side was a former tax-delinquent vacant property the Land Bank acquired in October of 2018 before turning it over to YNDC to restore.

“This is a great example of why it’s important to stay faithful to a plan,” DEBORA FLORA, Mahoning County Land Bank executive director, said at an April event marking the milestone with city officials and neighbors.

“There’s no one entity, no one source of money that’ll fix everything Youngstown needs. The layering of partnerships is very important to see the end results through and this is a great example of the progress that we can make on neighborhoods when we work together.”

The two organizations have partnered since 2014. The land bank specializes in acquiring vacant, abandoned properties and repurposing them, and YNDC’s services include renovating homes and marketing them to qualified buyers.

The house was listed as a top priority property in YNDC’s five-year Pleasant Grove Neighborhood Action Plan, which aims to “fight blight” in the South Side neighborhood.  

“This renovation shows the effectiveness of our partners and neighborhood groups by coming together to renovate concentrated areas,” said Ian Beniston, YNDC executive director. “We’re seeing the promising results of vacancies going down and property values going up. We’re making progress, thanks to everyone involved.”

YNDC has acquired 37 of its 100 residential properties from the Land Bank.

“This kind of work involves the neighbors, partners, nonprofits, government leaders and lenders,” said Debora. “It’s something we’re incredibly proud to be a part of.

“We’re looking forward to the next 100 houses.”

You can read more of the story in this Vindicator article or this Business Journal story.

This recently renovated South Side home had been identified as a top priority in the YNDC’s Pleasant Grove Neighborhood Action Plan, held up here by YNDC Executive Director Ian Beniston. The home was a former tax-delinquent property purchased by the land bank and turned over to the YNDC for renovation. From left are Beniston; Marguerite Douglas, YNDC board secretary; Dollaine Holmes, YNDC board vice president; Mary Danus, YNDC board treasurer; Debora Flora, land bank executive director; and Tiffany Sokol, YNDC housing director.
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