WILMINGTON (January 28, 2019) – Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) announced today $1.2 million in Home4Good funding awarded to programs across the state working to reduce homelessness. DSHA provided $500,000 toward the effort, and FHLBank Pittsburgh provided $700,000.
The funding will be used to address four key areas: homelessness prevention, homelessness diversion, rapid re-housing and innovation. Thirteen programs from 10 organizations in the state received funding.
“We are privileged to partner with DSHA and our member institutions to provide these much-needed funds to programs working to end homelessness in Delaware,” said Winthrop Watson, FHLBank Pittsburgh’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “This is part of a comprehensive initiative in which more than $7 million in Home4Good grants have been awarded to support 80 programs across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”
Home4Good was created by FHLBank Pittsburgh and is being administered by DSHA. The funding announced today is being distributed as grants to organizations that help individuals retain or find housing, provide supportive services to those facing homelessness or address other unmet needs within the existing homeless provider network.
“DSHA is pleased to be a part of this initiative to reduce homelessness in Delaware,” said DSHA director, Anas Ben Addi. “All of the organizations receiving funding through Home4Good are doing worthwhile work to address this important issue in our state, and we are proud to support their efforts.”
Lutheran Community Services, the host of Monday’s announcement event in Wilmington, received $115,000 in Home4Good funding for their work to prevent homelessness in New Castle County. The funding will be used to provide financial assistance to low-income Delawareans facing eviction and will help individuals and families pay utility bills, rent, mortgages, or security deposits.
“Sometimes a single payment is all that stands between a family staying in their home and being homeless,” said Rob Gurnee, executive director of Lutheran Community Services. “We are thankful for the funding under this program to help prevent homelessness for those who are most vulnerable.”
U.S. Senator Tom Carper added, “The work being done by DSHA, FHLBank Pittsburgh and the many Delaware financial institutions and service organizations involved in the Home4Good program is a testament to the power of partnership in focusing energy and resources toward a common good.”
Governor John Carney praised the organizations receiving Home4Good funding for their work to help individuals and families find and retain housing in Delaware. “I commend these organizations for their commitment to addressing this important issue in our state with programs that are effective and innovative. The funding announced today will go a long way to benefit Delawareans who are facing homelessness.”
Senator Carper and Governor Carney were joined by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester at today’s event announcing the Home4Good funding awards.
Information about Home4Good is available at www.fhlb-pgh.com and at www.destatehousing.com. Organizations interested in future participation in the program can contact Kate Swanson at kate.swanson@fhlb-pgh.com or Jessica Eisenbrey at jessica@destatehousing.com for details.
The Home4Good funding recipients are:
| Focus Area | Organization | Program Name | Target Area | Funding Amount |
| Rapid Re-Housing | ||||
| Catholic Charities | Rapid Re-Housing Service | Statewide | $50,000 | |
| Family Promise of Northern New Castle County | Rapid Re-Housing, Pathway to Housing | New Castle County | $100,000 | |
| Ministry of Caring | Rapid Re-Housing | Statewide | $100,000 | |
| People’s Place | Rapid Re-Housing | Kent County | $80,000 | |
| YWCA of Delaware | Rapid Re-Housing | Statewide | $100,000 | |
| Homelessness Diversion | ||||
| Family Promise of Northern New Castle County | Shelter Diversion – Pathway to Diversion | New Castle County | $50,000 | |
| YWCA of Delaware | YWCA Diversion Program | New Castle County, Sussex County | $50,000 | |
| Homelessness Prevention | ||||
| Catholic Charities | Basic Needs | Statewide | $50,000 | |
| Rehoboth Community Resource Center | Homelessness Prevention | Kent County, Sussex County | $115,000 | |
| Lutheran Community Services | Homelessness Prevention | New Castle County | $115,000 | |
| West End Neighborhood House | Statewide Security Deposit Program | Statewide | $90,000 | |
| Innovation | ||||
| Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. | Legal Aid for Eviction Defense | Statewide | $225,000 | |
| Sussex Community Crisis Housing Services | Housing Locator | Sussex County | $75,000 |
About FHLBank Pittsburgh
FHLBank Pittsburgh is a congressionally chartered cooperative of local financial institutions operating across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Bank uses private money, not taxpayer funds, to ensure the flow of credit and services to local lenders and assists them in serving the affordable housing and community and economic development needs of the communities in which they operate. Each year, FHLBank sets aside 10 percent of its net income for Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants, which are awarded to project sponsors on a competitive basis. FHLBank Pittsburgh launched the Home4Good program in 2018 as a voluntary initiative to supplement AHP and provide funds to meet the needs of an at-risk segment of the population. To learn more, visit www.fhlb-pgh.com.
About 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 DEStateHousing.com.
Contact: Jessica Eisenbrey, DSHA Public Relations, 302-739-0271