Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine and the Ohio Department of Development on Friday announced more than $9 million in grants to support the creation of workforce housing in five counties.
Youngstown will receive a $2.5 million grant to support the development of up to 220 workforce housing units through an infill-housing initiative and Warren will receive an $851,000 grant to support the Peninsula Project, which will create 306 new housing units including apartments and townhomes.
The funding comes from the Residential Economic Development District (REDD) program, which provided up to $10 million in grants this fiscal year, followed by roughly $15 million in fiscal year 2027, to help communities expand housing opportunities close to major economic development projects.
A total of $9,198,019 is being awarded to the following communities:
- Youngstown will receive a $2.5 million grant to support the development of up to 220 workforce housing units through an infill-housing initiative. Funding will be used to improve roads, sidewalks, lighting and other public infrastructure, while also connecting new homes to existing water and sewer systems. Many of the homes will be built on vacant lots owned by the city and the Mahoning County Land Bank. Homebuyers will receive a 100 percent, 15-year property tax abatement and be eligible for down-payment assistance through the city’s At Home program. The project is a collaboration between Youngstown, the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation, Mercy Health Youngstown and other community partners. This project supports housing demand created by investments from the Ultium Cells facility in Warren and other regional economic development projects.
- Warren will receive an $851,000 grant to support the Peninsula Project, which will create 306 new housing units including apartments and townhomes. The funding will be used to modernize water and sewer main lines and upgrade surrounding public infrastructure, enabling higher-density development in the project area. These improvements will support a mix of housing types, including units intended for essential workers earning at or below 80 percent of the Area Median Income. The investment will help prepare the site for construction while advancing Warren’s broader strategy to increase housing availability. This supports housing demand created by investments from Ultium Cells and other regional economic development projects.
- The city of Hamilton (Butler County) will receive a $2.5 million grant to support the development of 100 new workforce housing units through the city’s “Build Back the Block” initiative. Funding will be used to connect new homes on 100 infill lots to existing water and sanitary sewer infrastructure, helping bring long-vacant residential parcels back into productive use. Hamilton currently owns more than 250 residential parcels ready for redevelopment, and this investment will allow construction to begin quickly, with the first 10 homes expected in 2026. Once completed, the homes will be sold below construction cost to low- to moderate-income families. This project supports housing demand created by investments from the Amazon.com facility in Monroe and other regional economic development projects.
- The city of Lancaster (Fairfield County) will receive a $1 million grant to support the development of 361 workforce housing units through key public infrastructure improvements. Funding will be used for sanitary and water main extensions, new public road construction, sidewalks and related infrastructure needed to support a large mixed housing development that includes single-family homes, townhomes and apartments. Lancaster has modernized its zoning code and reduced development fees to support housing growth and the project builds on an estimated $70 million private development investment already underway. The improvements seek to accelerate housing construction while supporting the city’s long-term growth goals. This project supports housing demand created by investments from Anduril and other regional economic development projects.
- The village of Antwerp (Paulding County) will receive a $2.3 million grant to support the development of 345 workforce housing units through major infrastructure and roadway improvements. Funding will be used to construct new roadways, drainage systems, sanitary sewer lines and water infrastructure needed to support a high-density residential development. Antwerp has established a Priority Workforce Housing District and eliminated development fees to encourage new housing construction. These investments will create a mix of single-family homes, duplexes and multifamily units. This project supports housing demand created by investments from First Quality Tissue in Defiance.
The REDD program was introduced by state Sen. Michele Reynolds in the state’s biennial budget bill, House Bill 96, and led by Minority House Leader Dani Isaacsohn and state Rep. Adam Mathews in the House. DeWine signed House Bill 96 into law last year.
“Workforce housing is essential to sustaining Ohio’s economic momentum,” said Reynolds. “As our state attracts new businesses and creates new jobs, we must ensure that the people who power our communities—teachers, healthcare workers, first responders, and skilled tradespeople—have access to quality, affordable housing near where they work.”
Local governments located within 20 miles of a major economic development project were eligible to apply for funding to expand housing-related infrastructure, strengthen public safety and community services or provide capital to support new housing development.
Ohio Department of Development received 48 eligible applications for this round of funding, totaling nearly $99 million in requests.
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