Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority
Physical Needs Assessment, Section 504 Assessment, and 202 Analysis

Client:
Youngstown Metropolitan Housing Authority
131 West Boardman Street
Youngstown, Ohio 44503
Attn. James Winston, Facilities Director
(330) 744-2161

Project Assignment:
Prepare an Agency Strategic Plan for 15 public housing developments consisting of 1,509 units in 187 buildings. Work included preparation of: Physical Needs Assessment (PNA), Section 504 Assessment and Transition Plan, and Section 202 Analysis.

Assignment Details:
The objective was to develop a PNA and 20-year Plan that will help the YMHA achieve its goal of providing quality affordable housing for the next 20 years.

CHS began the process by meeting with executive staff to understand their concerns and objectives.

PNA:   CHS conducted thorough development and unit assessments which included:

• Inspection of 100% of each development site.
• Inspection of 100% of the exterior of each building.
• Inspection of 20-30% of the dwelling units.
• Assessment of Section 504 (HC) compliance.
• Review of environmental reports.
• Evaluation of infrastructure and mechanical systems.

Section 504 Assessment & Transition Plan: Assessed YMHA inventory and determined if it met Section 504 HC standards. Where deficiencies were identified CHS recommended methods of bringing the housing into compliance, estimated the cost, and prepared a Transition Plan detailing when the housing would be fully compliant.

Feasibility Study/ 202:  After compiling physical needs data, and market study recommendations, an evaluation of the long-term viability of each development was conducted. The HUD 202 Viability protocol was followed. The conclusion of the study was to determine if it was more cost-effective to modernize and maintain the existing housing, or to dispose of the housing and voucher the residents.

Executive Summary:  CHS prepared an executive summary of the findings and recommendations. This document was shared with the YMHA board of directors, HUD, residents, and government officials.

Tasks

• Physical Needs Assessment
• Section 504 Assessment & Transition Plan
• Section 202 Viability Analysis

Timeline

• Start – January 2005
• Complete – April 2005

Interesting Facts

• 187 Buildings Assessed
• 30 Scattered Sites
• Oldest Development – 1938
• Newest Development – 1978
• Total Identified Needs - $36 Million