To address the problem of unemployment and foreclosure the city councilors of Lowell are thinking of enforcing residency requirement. Those employed by the city administration would have to become residents within a year. This would attract outsiders to buy property and also encourage locals to apply for jobs.

Foreclosures are nothing new to Youngstown – has been plaguing it for the last three decades with the shutting down of mills. With old and new foreclosures and the exiting of people the city is in a critical stage. The new mayor Jay Williams is turning the tide with his plan of shrinking the town.