Canton Repository (3/31/26) A small grassy lot in Alliance, anchored by a towering backhoe, was ready for new construction.
To a group of people gathered March 31 for a groundbreaking at 727 Milner St., it was no ordinary event. It symbolized hope and renewal in the city’s Ward 2.
The area is blighted.
“This is wonderful,” said Mayor Andy Grove. “This is just another step in what’s been our plan for the last 2½ years to get affordable housing in Alliance.”
Build Ohio Neighborhoods Inc., a North Canton nonprofit, plans to build 10 high-quality homes for families in 2026 in the Freedom neighborhood, which includes Milner Street. More will be built in 2027 and 2028. All of them will be on the market for sale.
The Milner address is the first build.
The houses will cost between $150,000 and $160,000, after down-payment subsidies.
Don Ackerman, president of Build Ohio, said the houses will come with property tax credits and qualified buyers can get up to $70,000 in down-payment assistance. He also said the houses cannot become rentals for at least three years. Investors and landlords are not eligible to buy them.
The Greater Alliance Foundation; Grove Appliance Charitable Fund; Joseph and Charlotte Mastroianni Family Charitable Fund; Geraldine Burnell Brotsman Charitable Fund; the Tolerton Family; John F. Peters and Madge P. Peters Charitable Fund; and the city have donated to the project.
Ackerman also said he is seeking additional grant dollars for more construction.
Build Ohio is a joint venture between Canton For All People and the Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation. Their successes include the Greater Shorb Neighborhood project in Canton, with 21 new houses.
Alliance hopes for the same Canton success
“I hope we can change some of these neighborhoods where the houses are going because there is blight,” said City Councilwoman Cindy King, who represents Ward 2. “This is the first of many, and I hope the people appreciate what they are doing here. It’s exciting.”
Grove said the Build Ohio is one of several new housing projects in Alliance. He said Alliance Area Habitat for Humanity plans to build four new houses. There also are plans for new houses in the Washington Hills subdivision.
Rick Baxter, president of the Alliance Area Chamber of Commerce and Alliance Area Development, said he hopes this program allows people in bad rental situations to afford their own house.
He also said the new construction might encourage landlords of neighboring rental properties to “upkeep their houses” more to compete for clientele.
“Hopefully these 10 houses turn into 10 more, that turn into 10 more, and we just transform our neighborhoods in Alliance,” said Chaz Mitchell, treasurer of the Greater Alliance Foundation.