Delaware News

$7 Million Now Available to Revitalize Downtowns

Delaware State Housing Authority | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Office of the Governor | Sussex County | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015



Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi announced today the launch of the Downtown Development Districts (DDD) Grant Program. The DDD Grant is now available for investments in recently designated areas of Wilmington, Dover and Seaford that need the rehabilitation, expansion or new construction of commercial, industrial, residential (including multi-family), and mixed-use buildings or facilities located within the boundaries of a District.

Governor Markell said, “Downtown Development Districts will spur private capital investment in commercial business districts, stimulate job growth, help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities, and strengthen our neighborhoods.  The DDD Grant Program offers the opportunity to generate a surge of cultural, real estate, and business activity that could reinvigorate declining areas of our cities.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi added, “After many rounds of outreach and gathering feedback, we are excited to launch this program.  In structuring the grant allocation process, we tried to be fair to all projects and Districts, regardless of the size or location. The $7 million funding will allow us to attract at least $35 million worth of private investments to the designated Districts.”

The DDD Act of 2014 was enacted by General Assembly to spur private investment in commercial business districts and other neighborhoods; improve the commercial vitality of our cities and towns; and, help build a stable community of long-term residents in our downtowns and other neighborhoods.  State and local incentives are available to businesses and district investors who invest within the Downtown Development District boundaries.

Examples of eligible activities include:  Exterior, interior, structural, mechanical or electrical improvements; excavations; grading and paving; installing driveways; landscaping or land improvements; and, demolition.

Developers, homeowners, or business owners interested in investing in the DDDs may apply directly to DSHA. Applications, forms and guidelines may be obtained from DSHA’s website. Projects seeking a Large Project reservation must apply by March 20, 2015. Small Project applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

(Please see the Downtown Development District Fact Sheet for additional information.)

To view the Downtown Development Districts Grant Program, visit the DSHA’s Downtown Development District web page.  Visit the Office of State Planning Coordination website to learn about additional available programs that may be used in combination with the DDD Grant.

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 is 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: (302) 739-4263 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com.

Press Contact:

Christina M. Hardin-Dirksen
Chief of Community Relations, DSHA
Phone:  (302) 739-4263
Email:  Christina@destatehousing.com

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$7 Million Now Available to Revitalize Downtowns

Delaware State Housing Authority | Former Governor Jack Markell (2009-2017) | Kent County | New Castle County | News | Office of the Governor | Sussex County | Date Posted: Tuesday, January 20, 2015



Dover, DE – Governor Jack Markell and Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi announced today the launch of the Downtown Development Districts (DDD) Grant Program. The DDD Grant is now available for investments in recently designated areas of Wilmington, Dover and Seaford that need the rehabilitation, expansion or new construction of commercial, industrial, residential (including multi-family), and mixed-use buildings or facilities located within the boundaries of a District.

Governor Markell said, “Downtown Development Districts will spur private capital investment in commercial business districts, stimulate job growth, help build a stable community of long term residents by improving housing opportunities, and strengthen our neighborhoods.  The DDD Grant Program offers the opportunity to generate a surge of cultural, real estate, and business activity that could reinvigorate declining areas of our cities.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi added, “After many rounds of outreach and gathering feedback, we are excited to launch this program.  In structuring the grant allocation process, we tried to be fair to all projects and Districts, regardless of the size or location. The $7 million funding will allow us to attract at least $35 million worth of private investments to the designated Districts.”

The DDD Act of 2014 was enacted by General Assembly to spur private investment in commercial business districts and other neighborhoods; improve the commercial vitality of our cities and towns; and, help build a stable community of long-term residents in our downtowns and other neighborhoods.  State and local incentives are available to businesses and district investors who invest within the Downtown Development District boundaries.

Examples of eligible activities include:  Exterior, interior, structural, mechanical or electrical improvements; excavations; grading and paving; installing driveways; landscaping or land improvements; and, demolition.

Developers, homeowners, or business owners interested in investing in the DDDs may apply directly to DSHA. Applications, forms and guidelines may be obtained from DSHA’s website. Projects seeking a Large Project reservation must apply by March 20, 2015. Small Project applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis.

(Please see the Downtown Development District Fact Sheet for additional information.)

To view the Downtown Development Districts Grant Program, visit the DSHA’s Downtown Development District web page.  Visit the Office of State Planning Coordination website to learn about additional available programs that may be used in combination with the DDD Grant.

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 is 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: (302) 739-4263 or visit our website at: www.destatehousing.com.

Press Contact:

Christina M. Hardin-Dirksen
Chief of Community Relations, DSHA
Phone:  (302) 739-4263
Email:  Christina@destatehousing.com

image_printPrint

Related Topics:  , , , ,


Graphic that represents delaware news on a mobile phone

Keep up to date by receiving a daily digest email, around noon, of current news release posts from state agencies on news.delaware.gov.

Here you can subscribe to future news updates.