The Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) and its partners will broke ground Thursday on three new duplexes in Youngstown that will feature on-site solar power generation.

The ceremony took place at 3013, 3021, and 3031 Glenwood Avenue, the locations of the new buildings. Each duplex will contain two two-bedroom, two-bath apartment units with covered parking.

YNDC said the units will be highly energy efficient and all-electric, with solar panels expected to generate more than 100% of the buildings' energy needs. This on-site power generation is intended to make the housing more affordable for tenants.

"Theirs not going to be much utilities cost here for the tenant at all so it's a dramatic savings probably a couple several hundreds dollars a month,” Ian Beniston, the Executive Director of Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation said

The units will be available to rent once completed and will be managed by YNDC. Tenants must apply for the homes and meet an income requirement. Beniston said rent is expected to be between $800 to $900 a month. 

The organization believes these will be the first units of their kind in the city of Youngstown. This marks the second phase of a project that began in 2024.

Funding for the project comes from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh Affordable Housing Program, Federal Home Loan Bank of Cincinnati Affordable Housing Program, Mahoning County, and The Raymond John Wean Foundation. PNC and Premier Bank are providing financing, with Premier Bank also providing permanent financing.

The vacant lots were acquired from the Mahoning County Land Bank, and Joe Koch Construction is the builder.

"We’ve been in the demolition process for such a long time, now were in the developmental stage and that's going to attract individuals, first of all to stay, but also draw individuals in and say 'here I want to move to Youngstown',” Mayor Tito Brown said. 

The project also received support from the City of Youngstown, Sixth Ward Councilwoman Anita Davis, surrounding neighbors, the Glenwood Neighbors Business Association, and other partners.

"This is brilliant," Councilwoman Davis said. "Not just affordable, it’s quality homes and we welcome new people coming into the city.”

The homes are expected to be finished in September of 2025.