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After going through a divorce, Suzi found herself at a crossroads. She was exploring rental options when she was struck by how high monthly rents had become. “If I’m going to pay this much,” she recalled thinking, “I may as well buy.”
But the idea of homeownership felt overwhelming. Suzi wasn’t confident her credit score, income, or financial situation would support living independently. That uncertainty led her to Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) after she learned through Facebook and word of mouth about our Housing Counseling Program.
That’s when she met Alex, YNDC’s HUD-Certified Housing Counselor. From their very first conversation, Suzi said she felt a sense of calm. “Talking to Alex helped me realize my debt wasn’t as overwhelming as I thought. He helped me make sense of everything.” With his guidance, Suzi developed a financial plan and was able to pay off three credit cards. That progress gave her the momentum she needed to take the next step toward purchasing a home.
What stood out to Suzi throughout the process was the steady, practical support she received. “Alex was always friendly and calm. I felt like I could come to him with any questions. He walked me through everything—from looking at my finances, to understanding what to expect during lending, closing, and beyond.”
Before their first sessions, Suzi admits she was nervous. But that quickly changed. “Every so often, Alex would just check in and say, ‘Here are the numbers. Here’s what we’re looking at.’ That’s what I needed—someone to help me focus and understand.”
With Alex’s help and the support of the Housing Counseling Program, Suzi successfully purchased a home. She has been in the house for a few weeks now and is beginning to settle in. “It feels like a blank canvas,” she said. “I can finally make it my own, and I just love that feeling.” She's also building connections in her new neighborhood and appreciates how friendly her neighbors are.
The home itself checked all the right boxes: timeless character paired with modern features. Suzi was also drawn to the area because of the City of Youngstown’s down payment assistance program and has since enrolled in the city’s $15,000 energy efficiency grant to replace her windows—another way she’s investing in her new beginning.
Her message to other prospective buyers is clear: “Whether you think you need it or not, go through the Housing Counseling Program. It better prepared me for the loan process, which can be really overwhelming.”
Today, Suzi is a proud homeowner and an advocate for YNDC’s work. “This is a valuable resource people should take advantage of. It helped me more than I could have imagined.”