Arlington Heights fulfills dream of homeownership

YMHA welcomed first-time homeowners into their new residences.
By SARAH POULTON
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Ramona Moton never thought she would own her own home.
Moton, 45, has struggled through years of hardship and has come out on top. Through the help of her family, friends and Arlington Heights Homeownership Inc., her dream of homeownership turned into reality.
Moton will be moving into her new home within the next week. She will be living in her new house with her son, Craig, 18, and her grandson Dorian, 4. Dorian's mother, Yevette Moton, is a staff sergeant in the Army, and will be returning to her mother's new house June 2 after spending two years serving in Iraq.
"My family has been my biggest supporters," Moton said. "Without God and my family, I wouldn't have been able to do this."
Moton is a recovering drug addict and alcoholic. "I've never owned my own home, and I never thought I'd be here today," Moton said. "I've been clean for five years, and it's been the best five years of my life. I'm an overcomer of obstacles; that's what I'm good at."
The Homes at Arlington Heights celebrated its grand opening Friday morning by unveiling new, affordable housing to first-time home buyers. This North Side community will eventually consist of 30 new homes, and the first five were shown at the ceremony.
All the homes include garages and three bedrooms, and many come with basements and 11/2 baths.
To qualify for a home at Arlington Heights, a family's household income must be between $19,000 and $41,700, depending on family size. For instance, a family of four with good credit, little or no debt and an income of $41,500 would qualify.
YMHA project
Arlington Heights Homeownership Inc. is one of the projects within the Hope VI plan, furnished by the Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority.
Hope VI is a housing grant program through U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development that targets revitalization of obsolete or distressed public housing.
Eugenia Atkinson, executive director of YMHA, said this project was designed to give lower-income families the privilege of owning a home in a safe neighborhood.
The Arlington Heights area will consist of homes starting around $55,000, and will have a low interest rate, Atkinson said.
The Hope VI plan began 10 years ago when there were 289 units of public housing on the property, Atkinson said. With the help of local banks, Youngstown State University and St. Elizabeth Health Center, the public housing was demolished and new homes were built.
The first five homes were named after community activists who helped make the vision come true, Atkinson said. The five are named The Phillips, The Lottier, The Linton, The Armstrong and The Diehl, which was the home bought by Moton.
Another new homeowner
Kimberly Tyson, another first-time homeowner, bought The Armstrong. Before this purchase, Tyson lived with her mother, Ruth Hall.
"I am lost for words," Tyson said. "This is the first home I've ever owned. I love living in Youngstown, and by the grace of God, I was able to purchase a home. I never thought it would be possible; this is thrilling."
Alice Freeman, president of Westlake Terrace Resident Council, is proud of what the community has accomplished.
"This has been a vision for our residents," Freeman said. "We've worked hard, and as residents, we've seen the changes. The vision has come."
Mayor Jay Williams said Arlington Heights complies with the Youngstown 2010 city revitalization plan. This is the housing authority's project, but at the same time, it's something that can be shared with the 2010 vision, Williams said.
"The best part of being mayor is being a part of things like this," Williams said. "I'm proud for them, and I share their excitement."
The homes were developed by Ralph A. Falbo Inc. of Pittsburgh and Pennrose Properties LLC, which is based in Philadelphia.