Dover, Del. January 29, 2024 – In January 2023, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) launched the Delaware Tenant Rent Reporting Pilot Program in partnership with Self Financial, Inc. and NeighborGood Partners. This voluntary and free program allows qualified Delaware renters to build their credit by reporting their on-time rent payments to Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion for 12 months. 

The Delaware Tenant Rent Reporting program pilot is active and open for enrollment; however, the deadline to apply is Monday, March 29, 2024, at 4:30 p.m.

Eligibility requirements include:

• Must be a renter in the state of Delaware
• Must pay your rent with a payment method linked to a bank account
• Must possess a housing voucher, live in a public housing unit operated by one of the state’s public housing authorities, OR meet the following income limits:

To learn more or apply, please contact Nancy Aragon, Rent Reporting Specialist, at (302) 855-1370 (office), (302) 260-1212 (cell), or naragon@neighborgoodpartners.org.

Other program benefits include referrals to free financial coaching, the opportunity to report on-time utility payments to TransUnion, access to credit insights and alerts, and identity theft protection. To date, the majority of participants have experienced a positive impact to their credit. Final program outcomes, including average credit score change, will be detailed in a report following the conclusion of the pilot.

The American Rescue Plan Act funds were used to launch this pilot program. While there are no plans for future funding, the Delaware Tenant Rent Reporting program pilot will conclude with a final report. The program’s final report will be presented to the Governor and the General Assembly and will detail program findings, program outcomes, and recommendations regarding expanding rent reporting to more Delawareans.

For more information about the Delaware Tenant Rent Reporting Pilot, please contact Nancy Aragon, Rent Reporting Specialist, at (302) 855-1370 (office), (302) 260-1212 (cell), or naragon@neighborgoodpartners.org.

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, provides 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 serves as a Public Housing Authority and 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 DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com.

About NeighborGood Partners (formally NCALL)

As a service provider for families and individuals in Delaware, NeighborGood Partners offers pre-purchase and foreclosure prevention counseling, financial education, and DEHAP rental housing assistance. NeighborGood Partners is a HUD-approved housing counseling agency. Their services to nonprofit corporations include developer consulting for multi-family housing projects, and technical expertise for USDA’s Rural Development Self-Help Housing program. Their Loan Fund, a Community Development Financial Institution, provides financing to nonprofit and for-profit corporations interested in providing affordable housing and other living spaces, neighborhood revitalization, and community facilities. They also provide community development services and are the lead agency for Restoring Central Dover, a resident-driven neighborhood revitalization initiative.

About Self Financial

Self Financial is a credit-building platform working to increase economic inclusion and financial resilience through products that make building credit accessible. With no hard credit check to get started, Self’s signature Credit Builder Account and secured Self Visa® Credit Card issued by its partner banks are designed to enable people to build credit and savings simultaneously. The company also offers rent and utility payment reporting. Download the Self app at the Apple App Store (220,000+ reviews and an average 4.9 rating) or Google Play or visit Self. Inc for more information.

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