As companies like , and invest hundreds of millions of dollars into Ohio manufacturing facilities, they tout the creation of hundreds of local jobs.
But communities across the state face a challenge: they don鈥檛 have enough housing to support a growing workforce.
The Ohio Department of Development is stepping in to help. It recently awarded more than to help five Ohio communities, including the city of Youngstown, build more workforce housing.
鈥淲e have a lot of houses we've demolished over the years, and now we're trying to infill those vacant spaces and create opportunities for a new generation,鈥� said DeMaine Kitchen, Youngstown鈥檚 director of community planning and economic development.
But, he says, the road to rebuild hasn鈥檛 been an easy one.
Building workforce housing in Youngstown
After Youngstown鈥檚 in the 鈥�70s, once thriving neighborhoods fell into disrepair. Kitchen says the city has demolished more than 7,000 homes over the past decade.
Now, new industries are moving in.
Last year, announced plans to expand its manufacturing operation in Youngstown, promising to create 40 full-time jobs.
The state is also creating an in the city, which is anticipated to bring 450 new jobs to the area by 2029.
鈥淲e have employees that come in from all over the region, some as far as two hours to work,鈥� Kitchen said. 鈥淎nd so what we find is that employers are trying to attract talent, but that talent needs a safe place to live.鈥�
A $2.5 million grant from the state鈥檚 Department of Development will help the city improve roads, sidewalks, lighting and public infrastructure as it builds additional housing.
鈥淲e'll use this money to really compliment the community around these new builds,鈥� Kitchen said.
Workforce housing needs across the state
Youngstown isn鈥檛 the only Ohio city in need of additional workforce housing.
Four other communities around the state also received grants to invest in additional workforce housing:
- The City of Hamilton was awarded $2.5 million to support its initiative.
- The City of Lancaster is getting $1 million to support the development of over 360 workforce housing units.
- The Village of Antwerp in northwest Ohio will receive $2.3 million for infrastructure and roadway improvements needed to support residential development.
- The City of Warren will receive $851,000 for the , an effort to create 300 new apartments and townhomes.
Statewide, Ohio faces affordable and available rental units, according to the Coalition on Homeless and Housing in Ohio.