What the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority does

The Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority (YMHA) is a public agency that manages public housing and rental information programs in Youngstown, Ohio and surrounding areas in Mahoning County. It does not build or own most of the housing it administers — instead, it holds federal funding and uses it to pay landlords on behalf of tenants who meet income limits. YMHA also directly operates public housing complexes where it owns the buildings.

YMHA runs two main programs: public housing (where YMHA owns the property) and the Housing Choice Voucher program, commonly called Section 8 (where you rent from a private landlord and YMHA pays part of your rent). Both programs serve households below certain income thresholds, and both have waiting lists because demand exceeds available funding.

Key Takeaways

  • YMHA administers public housing it owns directly and Section 8 vouchers that work with private landlords in Youngstown and Mahoning County.
  • Both programs have waiting lists; you must meet income limits based on household size, and those limits change yearly.
  • You can contact YMHA directly to ask about current waiting list status, income thresholds, and what documents you will need to bring.
  • Public housing and Section 8 have different rules about how much rent you pay and what happens if your income changes.
  • If you are denied housing or removed from a program, YMHA must give you a written reason and a chance to request a hearing.

Public housing managed by YMHA

YMHA owns and operates public housing complexes in Youngstown. When you live in YMHA public housing, YMHA is your landlord. Your rent is set at 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, or the minimum rent YMHA sets (usually between $25 and $50 per month), whichever is higher. You pay YMHA directly, and YMHA covers the cost of maintenance, utilities included in your lease, and property management.

To move into YMHA public housing, you must be on the waiting list. The waiting list is typically closed when the backlog is long, and YMHA opens it periodically. You can call YMHA to ask whether the list is open and how long the wait currently is. Income limits for public housing are set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and vary by household size; YMHA staff can tell you the current limits when you call.

If your income rises while you live in YMHA housing, your rent goes up but you are not forced to leave. If your income drops, your rent drops. YMHA reviews income annually and after any change you report.

Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

The Section 8 program gives you a voucher that subsidizes rent at a private landlord's property. You find the rental unit yourself (within YMHA's service area), the landlord agrees to accept the voucher, and YMHA pays the landlord a portion of the rent. You pay the difference between YMHA's payment and the actual rent, usually 30 percent of your income.

The voucher is portable within Youngstown and Mahoning County, meaning you can move to a different rental unit and keep the same voucher as long as the new unit meets YMHA's standards and the landlord accepts Section 8. You cannot take the voucher outside the YMHA jurisdiction without requesting a transfer to another housing authority.

Section 8 waiting lists are typically very long — sometimes years — because vouchers are limited and federal funding does not increase with demand. YMHA opens the list occasionally; call to ask about current status. Once you receive a voucher, you usually have 60 to 120 days to find a unit and have it inspected before the voucher expires.

Income limits and household composition

Both YMHA programs limit income based on household size. A household of one has a lower income ceiling than a household of four. These limits are set annually by HUD and typically increase slightly each year, though the increase varies. YMHA counts all household members' income, including children's earnings and benefits, with some exceptions for student income and certain disability payments.

You must report changes in household composition — births, deaths, people moving in or out — to YMHA. If someone moves out, your rent may drop. If someone moves in, your income may rise and your rent may rise, or you may become ineligible if the new household income exceeds the limit.

How to contact YMHA and what documents to bring

You can reach YMHA by phone, mail, or in person at their main office. When you call or visit, have ready: proof of identity (driver's license or state ID), proof of income (recent pay stubs, tax returns, or a letter from your employer or benefits agency), and proof of residency in the service area (utility bill or lease). If you are explore for public housing or a voucher, ask about current waiting list status and income thresholds for your household size.

YMHA's office is located in Youngstown. Hours and phone numbers are available on the YMHA website or by calling directory information. If you cannot reach YMHA by phone, visiting in person often gets you a faster answer about waiting list status.

Denials, removals, and your right to a hearing

YMHA can deny you housing or remove you from a program for reasons including income exceeding the limit, failure to report changes in household composition, criminal activity, or lease violations. If YMHA denies or removes you, it must provide written notice stating the reason and your right to request a hearing before an impartial officer.

You have a limited time — usually 10 to 14 days — to request a hearing in writing. At the hearing, you can present evidence and witnesses to dispute YMHA's decision. If you lose the hearing, you may be able to appeal to HUD, though the process and timeline vary. Ask YMHA for the specific appeal procedure when you receive your denial or removal notice.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is the waiting list for YMHA housing?

Waiting times vary and change frequently. Public housing and Section 8 vouchers both have separate lists, and both are typically long — sometimes several months to several years for Section 8. Call YMHA directly to ask the current wait time for the program you are interested in. Lists open and close based on funding and demand.

What if my income is just above the limit?

Income limits are firm — if your household income exceeds the ceiling, you are not may be able to access, even by a small amount. However, YMHA counts only certain income sources and allows deductions for expenses like childcare and medical costs. Ask YMHA to calculate your adjusted income before assuming you are over the limit.

Can I keep my Section 8 voucher if I move out of Youngstown?

No, not automatically. Section 8 vouchers are tied to the housing authority that issued them. If you move outside YMHA's service area, your voucher ends. You can request a transfer to another housing authority in the area you are moving to, but that authority must have available vouchers and accept your transfer request.

What happens to my rent if my income changes?

In public housing, your rent is recalculated based on your new income. In Section 8, your portion of the rent is also recalculated. You must report income changes to YMHA within 30 days. If you do not report and YMHA discovers the change, you may owe back rent or be removed from the program.

Can YMHA evict me from public housing?

Yes, YMHA can evict you for lease violations, non-payment of rent, or criminal activity. YMHA must follow Ohio eviction law and provide notice and an opportunity to cure the violation before filing in court. If YMHA files an eviction case, you have the right to defend yourself in court.