Creates Affordable Rental Housing Program, strengthens tenant rights
DOVER — Today, Delaware Governor Matt Meyer signed a series of bills that strengthen housing protections, expand access to affordable homes, and ensure fairer, more transparent processes for Delaware families. Together, these new laws reflect Delaware’s commitment to protecting homeowners and renters, supporting seniors and people with disabilities, and making sure every community has the resources it needs to grow responsibly.
“Housing is a human right. That’s why we’re cutting red tape, increasing protections for families in manufactured home communities, and expanding the supply of affordable choices,” said Governor Matt Meyer. “These new laws build on actions we already took to accelerate housing permitting, launch statewide homelessness prevention efforts, and put our Housing Task Force recommendations into action. Together, we’re ensuring that every Delawarean—no matter their income or zip code—has a place to call home.”
Senate Bill 150, sponsored by Sens. Russ Huxtable and Rep. Kendra Johnson, establishes the Affordable Rental Housing Program to provide loans that expand affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families, seniors, and people with disabilities.
“Just over a year ago, the Affordable Housing Production Task Force met for the first time to determine the best steps forward to increase the production of affordable rental units and homes in Delaware,” said Rep. Kendra Johnson, Chair of the House Housing Committee and Co-Chair of the Affordable Housing Production Task Force. “SB 150 is a product of this task force – drafted after numerous meetings with stakeholders and housing experts across the state. We are in a housing crisis, and we need to take immediate action. By creating the Affordable Rental Housing Program (ARHP) within the Housing Development Fund, we can directly help the seniors and individuals with disabilities living on fixed incomes, and the hardworking families earning modest incomes who are currently struggling to find a place they can afford to call home. This is not a long-term solution, but it is crucial that we level the playing field before continuing to build on top of a broken system.”
Senate Bill 176, sponsored by Sen. Russ Huxtable and Rep. Claire Snyder-Hall, along with Senate Minority Whip Brian Pettyjohn and Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, authorizes Sussex County to apply impact fees on new building permits to help fund the local share of school construction costs.
“When Rep. Johnson and I co-chaired the Affordable Housing Production Task Force, our goal was simple: to get more affordable homes on the market for Delaware families,” said Sen. Russ Huxtable. “SB 150 is a result of that work and will expand access to safe and affordable housing for Delawareans. At a time when the federal government is retreating from decades of direct investment in affordable housing, Delaware is stepping up. SB 150 is proof that we can be creative, flexible, and committed to solving this crisis – and this legislation is proof that state-level action is vital and necessary for making change.”
“As Sussex County continues to grow, our schools must keep pace.” said Senate Republican Whip Brian Pettyjohn. “SB 176 provides the county with the same tool already available in New Castle and Kent, the ability to implement a modest impact fee on new construction to support the local share of school capital projects. This ensures that growth helps pay for growth while protecting smaller projects from additional costs.”
“My district is in one of the fastest-growing areas in a rapidly developing Sussex County,” said State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, who represents Long Neck. “I am proud to sponsor legislation that will empower Sussex County to impose impact fees on developers to support school construction. Frankly, I was surprised such a law was not already in place years ago. It’s long overdue.”
Senate Bill 40, sponsored by Sen. Jack Walsh and Reps. Bill Carson, cracks down on repeated violations by manufactured home community landlords by making them subject to the Consumer Fraud Act and allows the Attorney General to step in with stronger enforcement, including possible receivership.
“For too long, manufactured home residents in Delaware have faced unsafe living conditions with little recourse for landlords when they fail to act,” said Sen. Walsh, sponsor of SB 40. “This legislation increases accountability and ensures clear paths to intervention when conditions threaten health and safety. This is about protecting families, preserving communities, and making sure Delawareans have a safe place to call home. I am grateful to my colleagues who supported this bill, to Rep. Carson for shepherding this bill through the House, and to Gov. Meyer for signing it into law.”
Sen. Walsh also sponsored Senate Bill 144 with Rep. Bill Carson, repealing the cap on the Delaware Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund and clarifying that the DEMHRA Board has the ability to adjust, eliminate, or reinstate the cap on the Trust Fund.
Senate Substitute 2 for Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Sen. Kyra Hoffner and Rep. Bill Carson, clarifies and streamlines the process for selling, transferring, or inheriting manufactured homes. It closes loopholes that previously let community owners block sales or inheritance rights.
“I sponsored SB 56 to make title transfers simpler to navigate for residents living in our manufactured housing communities across Delaware,” said Sen. Kyra Hoffner. “Many of these leased land communities are located in the 14th District, so I thank the Governor and my colleagues in the legislature for passing this and other related legislation today. I’m honored to support the work of the Delaware Manufactured Homeowners Association in my capacity as a Senator.”
“Manufactured housing provides stability for thousands of the most vulnerable Delawareans, but it also comes with unique challenges that we as lawmakers have to address,” said Rep. Bill Carson, House sponsor of SB 40 and SB 56. “These laws are about responding to those needs and making sure these communities are supported. I appreciate Governor Meyer for signing them into law.”
House Bill 193, sponsored by Rep. Hilovksy and Sens. Kyra Hoffner and Eric Buckson, removes the $15 million cap on the Manufactured Home Relocation Trust Fund and increases the tenant contribution to the Manufactured Home Owner Attorney Fund from 50 cents to $1.50 per month.
“District 4, which includes Long Neck, has more manufactured home communities than any other district in Delaware,” said State Rep. Jeff Hilovsky, the bill’s prime sponsor. “This bipartisan measure increases funding for legal services to better support manufactured homeowners and is a significant step forward in promoting fairness and justice for these residents.”
“Manufactured homes are a vital source of affordable housing for many Delaware families,” said Senator Eric Buckson. “This legislation helps protect those residents by ensuring the Trust Fund remains strong and flexible enough to meet their needs. By updating the assessment structure, we are making sure the system is fair and sustainable for both tenants and community owners.”
Senate Bill 132, sponsored by Sen. Dan Cruce and Rep. Mara Gorman, updates the Right to Representation law by shifting administrative duties to the State Courts Administrator and standardizing language in the statute.
“Ensuring the continued Right to Representation for tenants is among my most meaningful legislative accomplishments this past session through Senate Bill 132,” said Sen. Cruce. “For A.L.I.C.E. families —Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed — housing stability is essential to economic security. Supporting renters is one way we can advance the right to housing for all. Special thank you to Rep. Gorman for partnering with me as the House Prime Sponsor.”
For any questions or to schedule a one-on-one interview with Governor Meyer, please email govcomm@delaware.gov.