DSHA Receives Grant to Help Homeowners

July 2, 2013 – (Dover, DE) – Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi today announced that DSHA was awarded $91,722 from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for comprehensive housing counseling services to be performed by three sub-grantees – First State Community Action Agency, NCALL Research, Inc., and YWCA Center for Homeownership. This is the first time DSHA has received funding as an intermediary for comprehensive counseling services from HUD.

“Today’s announcement is welcome news to the agencies that will receive the grant, and the many Delawareans who will benefit from it,” said Congressman Carney. “We have started to see a turnaround in the housing market, but there are still thousands in our state who, through no fault of their own, struggle to make their mortgage payments and stay in their homes. The agencies that applied for this grant provide free counseling and education services to many of these homeowners in some of the most low-income, underserved areas of the state. I know these resources will be put to very good use.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi stated, “In addition to being a great honor for the participating agencies, now Delawareans will have even more opportunities to take advantage of the invaluable services that housing counselors provide. This is another positive step in creating the counseling services network we have envisioned.”

While the HUD Housing Counseling Grant is a new undertaking for DSHA, the agency has been working actively for the past several years to develop a robust partnership with all ten HUD-approved Housing Counseling Agencies in Delaware. DSHA collaborates with housing counselors to make a wide range of services available to Delawareans who need them, including financial coaching, debt management, homeownership counseling, and foreclosure prevention services.

“Last fall, I met homeowner Dawn Pyle who told me how she almost lost her home—not once, but twice—due to job loss from a life-threatening illness. She credits DSHA and the YWCA’s housing counseling program and counselor Marva Wood with helping her find her own road to recovery to hold onto her home,” said Jane C.W. Vincent, HUD’s Regional Administrator of the Mid-Atlantic region. “And, we know that Dawn is not alone. The evidence is clear that housing counseling works. These grants are a smart investment to help other Delawareans who are at risk of losing their homes.”

The funds from this grant will support pre-purchase homeownership counseling for Delawareans who are looking to buy their first homes, and who require financial literacy, budget counseling, and other related services in order to become mortgage-ready. Housing counselors work intensively with pre-purchase clients to ensure that they are equipped with the information and resources they need to select a sound mortgage product which is right for their financial situation and personal goals. Last year, counselors from NCALL, First State, and YWCA conducted more than 5,000 homeownership counseling and education activities, including one-on-one counseling appointments, workshops, seminars, and homebuyer fairs.

Joe Myer, Executive Director of NCALL Research, Inc. added, “HUD funding for housing counseling services in Delaware is vitally important to first-time homebuyers seeking to become mortgage-ready and financially able consumers, empowered to make informed decisions about their housing future. A decent, affordable home positively impacts all aspects of family life, from health and education to stability and employment. Housing counseling is a well proven means to sustainable homeownership, rental housing, and foreclosure prevention.”

“This is exciting news for Delaware,” confirmed Bernice Edwards, Executive Director of First State Community Action Agency. “Housing counseling services are not just for families looking to buy a home or for those facing foreclosure. Financial literacy training is offered to lower-income households struggling to repair credit, to broaden their options, and to help seniors stay in their home.”

“YWCA Delaware supports families in many ways, which includes helping them realize their dream of successful homeownership. Support from HUD will enable YWCA to continue to help Delawareans achieve family economic security by either purchasing an affordable first home, or becoming financially stable so they can stay in their existing home,” said Stephanie Staats, Chief Programs Officer for YWCA Delaware.

About the Delaware State Housing Authority
The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, is dedicated to providing quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low- and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State’s Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware’s three counties. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (888) 363-8808 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com.

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