Statewide Emergency Repair Program launches from Delaware State Housing Authority

MILFORD – Qualified homeowners in need of assistance to keep their homes livable can apply for assistance from the new Statewide Emergency Repair Program announced today by Governor John Carney and the Delaware State Housing Authority.

“No one should live in a home with broken plumbing or a leaking roof. We can help our families in need by making their homes safe and healthy, which also strengthens our communities,” Governor Carney said. “This is not a hand out, but a hand up by helping those in emergency situations. Public-private partnerships like this help leverage our resources to assist as many people as possible.”

The new program is administered by the Milford Housing Development Corporation, which was awarded $600,000 by DSHA to streamline the application process. DSHA had previously funded repairs through a number of partners, depending on jurisdiction, while the Statewide Emergency Response Program has a single point of contact and operates in all three counties. DSHA conducted extensive research and received partner input to develop the program.

“Repairing roofs, fixing heating systems and solving accessibility issues are simple jobs that can be out of the reach of many people due to financial circumstances,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “We’re pleased to be able to help with that by partnering with the Milford Housing Development Corporation and its statewide network of nonprofits and agencies that is helping reach people in need.”

The Statewide Emergency Repair Program is designed to address emergency conditions threatening the health or safety of eligible Delaware homeowners and members of their households. Qualified applicants must own their home and have lived there for at least one year, and must meet income guidelines.

Situations that qualify include immediate health or safety threats such as heating system repairs (winter months), plumbing repairs (non-functioning), electrical repairs (in hazardous cases), roof repair or replacement (for active leaks), major structural repairs or urgent accessibility modifications. A portion of the funding will go toward assisting residents of manufactured housing or mobile homes.

“We have been involved in emergency repairs for more than two decades, and know how important it is to make sure homes are kept in good condition,” said David Moore, president and CEO of the Milford Housing Development Corporation. “Our goal is to help as many people as possible with true emergencies that threaten residents’ health or safety.”

Homeowners can apply to the Milford Housing Development Corporation at 302-491-4010 or toll-free at 844-413-0038. Staff will work with applicants to determine if they qualify.

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.

Media contact:
Dan Shortridge
Director of Public Relations
Delaware State Housing Authority
Office: 302-739-0271
Cell: 302-632-0470
dans@destatehousing.com

Funding also allocated to clean up and maintain vacant or abandoned homes

WILMINGTON – Nine projects statewide will receive $5.5 million from Delaware’s Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund to address vacant, abandoned or foreclosed properties, Governor John Carney announced today, joined by Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi and elected officials and community leaders from across Delaware.

“This funding will directly help families, cities and towns across Delaware become stronger. When we put homes together, they become neighborhoods, safe places enriched by diversity where we collectively share in our cities’ growth and successes,” Governor Carney said. “When families step into houses, they become homes – residences of refuge, centers of companionship, locations of learning, and places of worship. Home is where we celebrate our accomplishments and draw upon strength and support to face our challenges.”

The second round of the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund, funded by bank settlement money, will lead to about 100 new or rehabilitated housing units in Wilmington, New Castle County, Dover, Milford and Laurel. The investment of $5.5 million will leverage an estimated $15 million in private or other funding sources.

“These projects will be helping families and individuals who need housing, while strengthening the neighborhoods in which they are located, revitalizing properties that have fallen into disrepair and bringing people back to live in them,” said DSHA Director Ben Addi.

The housing projects chosen for funding in this round, listed by jurisdiction, are:

City of Wilmington, lead applicant Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank, $2.1 million
• Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank, $645,000 to acquire blighted properties and remove them
• Wilmington Housing Partnership, $205,000 for four new units and two rehabbed
• Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, $550,000 for eight new units and three rehabbed units in Wilmington
• Inter-Neighborhood Foundation, $200,000 for four rehabbed units in Wilmington
• Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, $550,000 for 10 new units and one rehabbed unit

New Castle County, $1.3 million
• New Castle County Department of Community Services, $1.3 million for 10 new units and 17 rehabbed ones along the Route 9 corridor

Kent County, $1.5 million
• NCALL Research, $1 million for 20 new units in Dover
• Milford Housing Development Corporation, $500,000 for 10 new units in Milford

Sussex County, $500,000
• Laurel Redevelopment Corporation, $500,000 for 10 new units in Laurel

The Wilmington Neighborhood Conservancy Land Bank led a coordinated planning and application process on behalf of multiple Wilmington projects, for a total of $2.1 million awarded. “These projects will help transform neighborhoods dealing with blight or other forms of stress, including crime, by increasing homeownership,” said Richard Gessner, chair of the Land Bank board. “This is a strong collaboration that will strengthen and support ongoing efforts to improve the quality of life in Wilmington.”

“Wilmington is grateful to the Governor and State Housing Director for their support of our efforts to strengthen City neighborhoods,” said Wilmington Mayor Mike Purzycki. “This funding will be deployed strategically and efficiently in targeted areas of the City so as to make maximum its use. We appreciate this support which will help us improve neighborhoods and the lives of our citizens.”

The Milford Housing Development Corporation will use $500,000 to create 10 new units in the City of Milford’s Downtown Development District area. The effort is aligned with the city’s Rivertown Rebirth 2025 plan, said Milford Mayor Bryan Shupe. “Increasing homeownership will help strengthen our community and support our downtown,” Mayor Shupe said. “Neighborhoods succeed because of the people living and working there, and we are pleased to partner in this effort.”

Applicants requested more than $8.2 million, but not all projects could be funded, Director Ben Addi said. “The level of interest remains high, showing the strong involvement and commitment that our partners and others have to supporting neighborhoods in need,” he said. “We hope that these successes will allow us to expand this effort in the future to even more communities in the future.”

Also announced was $475,000 in funding for the Vacant Property Maintenance Fund, which will help local governments clean up vacant and abandoned properties. Wilmington will receive $175,000 and New Castle County, Kent County and Sussex County will each receive $100,000.

The first round of funding from the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund was allocated in 2015, with $2.7 million going to build or rehabilitate 68 housing units in Wilmington, Dover and New Castle County. All homes will be sold to families or individuals with incomes at or below 120 percent of the area median income.

Patricia Benton, who recently purchased a home in New Castle County’s Garfield Park neighborhood as part of the the first round of SNHF grants, said she is enjoying her new home. “It’s like having a brand new home but in an established community,” she said. “I could not be happier. I love my new home!”

Interfaith Community Housing of Delaware, one of the 2015 recipients, is constructing 11 units of affordable live/work housing for artists in the Quaker Hill Historic Neighborhood, located in Wilmington’s Creative District. The work is being done by repurposing old vacant, abandoned residential properties in which some have been vacant for nearly 30 years.

Interfaith Executive Director Gary Pollio said that for Interfaith to be truly successful, each project must fit into the community and meet its expectations. “Our projects are not just about the housing,” Pollio said. “Our overarching goal is revitalizing the neighborhood, expanding affordable housing opportunities for new residents, and growing community.”

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.

Media Contact:

Dan Shortridge, Director of Public Relations
Delaware State Housing Authority
Office: 302-739-0271
Cell: 302-632-0470
dans@destatehousing.com

$3.6 million in grant funding for 16 projects to leverage $38.6 million in private investment

MILFORD – Building on progress in Delaware’s downtowns, Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware State Housing Authority announced on Tuesday that sixteen new downtown revitalization projects in Harrington, Milford, Dover, Smyrna and Wilmington will receive $3.56 million in grant funding through Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts program.
Since the first grant awards in April 2015, the DDD program has been a catalyst for private investment in Delaware’s downtowns. With these new awards, $17.7 million in grants through the program has leveraged $329 million in private investment in designated downtown districts in all three counties.
“The DDD program has been a central part of our efforts to revitalize Delaware’s downtown business districts and drive private investment in our towns and cities. In just two years, the DDD program has leveraged dramatic private investment in a wide variety of projects.” said Governor Jack Markell. “Encouraging private investment that also revitalizes our downtown business districts and surrounding neighborhoods is the goal of the DDD program, and we’re thrilled that it has been so successful.”
DDD Background
The DDD program, administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority, was created by legislation proposed by Governor Markell and passed unanimously in May 2014 by the General Assembly.
In January 2015, Governor Markell designated the downtown areas of Seaford, Dover, and Wilmington as Delaware’s first three Downtown Development Districts. To incentivize development, applicants receiving DDD grants are eligible for up to 20 percent of their construction costs in the form of a rebate. Grants are awarded only when projects are complete. Local incentives are also available. In August 2016, Governor Markell officially designated five new Downtown Development Districts – in Smyrna, Harrington, Milford, Georgetown and Laurel.
“The DDD program is doing exactly what we intended – attracting significant private investment to our downtowns,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “We’re excited to support new projects that are bringing businesses and jobs downtown, renovating vacant buildings, supporting historic preservation, and creating homes in Delaware’s towns and cities. It is great to see the success we’ve seen in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford already taking hold in the newly designated districts.”
Milford Mayor Bryan Shupe said “We were excited to be designated as a Downtown Development District and it is wonderful to see transformative projects like these funded in Milford already taking shape just a few months later. Projects like these are returning historic and vacant buildings to active use, and bringing new private investment, workers and jobs to downtown – exactly what we need to continue our efforts in strengthening our local economy.”
Funded Projects
The announcement was made at the former M&T Bank building on Front Street in Milford. Getting this historic building back to active use was a priority in the City of Milford’s DDD Plan. With the DDD Grant program, it is now being renovating to bring a new Touch of Italy location to downtown Milford. Project sponsor and Co-owner Joseph Curzi said “This project is the first time we’ve worked with a program like this and it has been a great experience. We’re thrilled to be expanding to Milford, putting this historic building back into active use at the heart of downtown and expanding Touch of Italy. Downtown in unique settings like this is where people want to be.”

Funding for sixteen projects in Harrington, Milford, Dover, Smyrna and Wilmington was announced. Another project in Smyrna, also one of the newly designated districts, will demolish the outdated Dairy Sweet restaurant at the entrance to downtown and replace it with a new mixed-use brick building designed to complement the downtown area. Dairy Sweet, the town’s ice cream shop since 1953, will take a new home on the first floor. Project investor and local business owner Bob Johnson said, “I hadn’t planned to move forward with the construction for a couple of years, but Smyrna’s DDD designation and availability of the DDD Grant program made me reconsider and move up the schedule. We’ll be keeping and renovating the original Dairy Sweet sign and look forward to this becoming a new Smyrna landmark.”

A mix of residential, commercial and mixed-use as well as rehab and new construction projects are included. In Wilmington, Lacy’s Project will rehabilitate a 3-story mixed-use building to include three affordable rental units and a café on the first floor, and incorporates workforce development. Rev. Terrance Keeling of the Central Baptist Community Development Corporation said, “With the help of our community partner the Challenge program, who will act as construction manager for the project, we will be able to train and employ community residents in the construction field. It will also help the community by taking a building that has been an eyesore and a source for community blight and converting it into stable, affordable housing. The ground floor café will not only bring a new business with employment opportunities, but it will also provide training in entrepreneurship in a place where people can gather in community helping social capital to build.” The project supports other significant investments in neighborhood revitalization on the East Side.

Other projects include new construction of homeownership opportunities in Dover; renovations and an addition to Connections Community Support Programs’ facility in Harrington; historic preservation of one of downtown Milford’s oldest buildings; and several projects in Wilmington such as tenant fit-outs for new restaurants, a cider distillery, commercial space, and adaptive reuse of a vacant commercial building to an upscale Marriott branded hotel.

In March 2017, the Delaware State Housing Authority will launch a new funding round for large projects in each of the Districts. Applications to fund small projects – defined as investments of less than $250,000 in a designed downtown district – are accepted on a rolling basis.

Full List of Awarded Large Projects:

http://bit.ly/2iYPjwG
http://bit.ly/2jrCD0m

Project Details
• The construction of four (4) affordable homes in the Restoring Central Dover area on four lots that formerly had rental housing, just one block off the Loockerman Street commercial corridor.
• The planned 3,000 square foot expansion of Connections CSP’s Withdrawal Management Center in Harrington in order to meet the continuing need for service and add a commercial kitchen for job training and employment.
• The complete historic preservation of the Pikus Building in Milford (formerly home to Lou’s Bootery) which was built in the 1840s and is the oldest building in downtown Milford. The building has been vacant for over a year and is in poor condition.
• The renovation of a former department store and a roller skating rink in Milford to accommodate office, meeting and storage space for an architectural/engineering firm. Few office spaces of this size exist outside of Wilmington.
• The construction of a mixed-use building in Smyrna on the site of the Dairy Sweet restaurant. The restaurant will continue to operate on the first floor of the new building, with additional space provided for other retail outlets.
• Four projects in Wilmington are fit-outs of buildings previously rehabbed with DDD awards to meet the needs of tenants opening new businesses along Market Street in Wilmington. The new businesses are two restaurants, a cider distillery, and a business incubator.
• Three projects are renovations of mixed-use buildings along the Market Street corridor that will add 11 new rental units and approximately 6,000 square feet of retail space, including a permanent location for UD Creamery in Wilmington.
• The adaptive-reuse of a vacant office building on North Market Street in Wilmington that will become an upscale hotel. The rehabilitation will feature the demolition of 100% of the interior 4 fit and finishes and remediation of all environmentally harmful material. In addition to hotel suites ranging from 350 sq. ft. to 700 sq. ft. per unit, there will be 10,000 sq. ft. of public space.
• The renovation of a vacant three story mixed-use property on Wilmington’s East Side that will create three rental apartments , a coffee café that will partner with a coffee manufacturer to provide training and employment opportunities for community residents. The investor is also partnering with a workforce development group that serves adjudicated youth through a construction training program. This group will also act as the general contractor for the project, providing even more employment opportunities for residents.
• The renovation of a 44-unit multifamily rental complex in Wilmington’s Quaker Hill neighborhood, completely renovating the apartments, enhancing security features, and adding a play area.
• The renovation and transformation of 28,800 square feet of the fourth floor of the historic Nemours Building in central Wilmington, from a vacant area of concrete pillars and raw space into a vibrant center for collaborative business ventures.
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Media contact:
Dan Shortridge
Director of Public Relations
Delaware State Housing Authority
Office: 302-739-0271
Cell: 302-632-0470
dans@destatehousing.com

More than 400 veterans have been permanently housed since January 2015

New Castle, DE – Governor Markell announced on Friday that Delaware has effectively ended veteran homelessness, receiving certification last month from the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Vice President Joe Biden, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Julián Castro and Governor Markell made the announcement Friday at the Delaware Commission of Veterans’ Affairs annual Veterans Day ceremony at the Delaware Veterans Memorial Park in New Castle. Governor Markell committed Delaware to First Lady Michelle Obama’s national Mayors Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness during his State of the State address in January 2015. Since that time, Delaware has housed 414 formerly homeless veterans.

“As I said almost two years ago, even one homeless veteran is one too many,” said Governor Markell. “This Veterans Day, as we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our country, I am proud to say that Delaware has stepped up for our veterans in need. We now have systems in place to ensure that veteran homelessness is a rare occurrence, and is prevented whenever possible. We will remain committed to this effort, and to getting our veterans the help and resources they need and deserve.”

“Every person who has served our nation in uniform deserves a safe, stable place to call home. Today, Delaware has shown ending veteran homelessness is not just aspirational, but achievable,” said HUD Secretary Castro. “I’m proud to congratulate Governor Markell, his dedicated team, and their strong local partners for ensuring permanent housing solutions for the brave men and women who’ve sacrificed so much for our nation.”

“One of the best things we can do to honor our servicemen and women is to take good care of them once they finish their time in our military,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper, a 23-year veteran of the Navy. “Today’s announcement that Delaware has effectively ended veteran homelessness is a wonderful example for the nation of what can be done when local, state and federal partners come together to help our community.”

Gary Dawkins, an Honorably Discharged U.S. Army veteran who became homeless after difficulty finding employment, also attended Friday’s announcement. Dawkins found shelter at Home of the Brave and participated in a Department of Labor workforce training program. He later became eligible for public housing for seniors through the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

“The road to overcoming any challenge is persistence, passion, and patience,” Dawkins said. “If you do the right thing, others will see that and follow your example.”

Leadership of all three Delaware counties and mayors in eight towns and cities – Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Seaford, Georgetown, Bridgeville, Blades and Greenwood – committed to Delaware’s initiative to end veteran homelessness. DSHA led the statewide working group since early last year, bringing together provider groups, local officials, county governments, and other partner organizations to coordinate resources on behalf of veterans facing homelessness in Delaware.

Together, the group developed a formal process to share data about veteran homelessness; increased targeting of the most intensive resources to homeless veterans with the greatest need; and improved connections between veteran-specific resources and resources for homelessness prevention and rapid-rehousing. DSHA and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services also set aside state-funded rental assistance vouchers for homeless veterans who did not qualify for federal assistance.

“We were proud to lead this effort and help coordinate services so we can more effectively help veterans who face the prospect of homelessness,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “After volunteering to serve our country, no veteran should be left without a place to turn. We believe the changes that we’ve made will make a real difference in the lives of veterans here in Delaware, and we will continue to refine and improve this effort.”

Partners in Delaware’s statewide initiative to end veteran homelessness included local and county governments; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs; the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs; the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services; the Homeless Planning Council of Delaware; Delaware Continuum of Care; and Supportive Services for Veterans Families providers, including Connections and the Veterans Multi-Service Center.

“On a day when Americans come together to honor the sacrifices of our nation’s veterans, I am so pleased we can mark this occasion with a declaration of progress and support for Delaware veterans deserving our help. The milestone announced in Delaware today is a reminder that federal, state, and local governments can solve large complex problems when they use evidence-based approaches and work together,” said U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Robert A. McDonald.

“I am proud that VA has partnered with a wide range of organizations to prevent and end veteran homelessness and is providing healthcare, education, job training, and wraparound supportive services to more veterans than ever. To sustain the progress in Delaware and other communities that have achieved this important goal and also encourage continued progress in places that have not yet ended veteran homelessness, ongoing investment is critical. VA will not let up until every veteran has permanent housing.”

The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs hosted Friday’s announcement at its annual Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park at the Delaware Memorial Bridge.

“The Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs is proud to have contributed to ending veteran homelessness in Delaware,” said Larence Kirby, Executive Director of the Commission. “Many veterans face housing struggles and when we had a chance to help through federal and state agencies, we jumped at the chance. With the help of these agencies, Delaware now has the teamwork and resources available to ensure that homeless veterans can be set on the path towards permanent housing.”

The Trust Fund helps Delaware veterans cover emergency expenses

DOVER, DE – Delaware State Housing Authority employees have raised $1,580 for the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, an account created in 2013 to help Delaware veterans pay for emergency costs, including medical expenses, utility bills and home repairs.
Delaware’s Commission of Veterans Affairs administers the Trust Fund, which helps provide stability for Delaware veterans and their families by also offering homelessness support and funding for educational and retraining programs.
Fifty DSHA employees participated in the fundraiser, held at Brunswick Zone Doverama Lanes near Dover. DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi presented a check to the Commission during its meeting on Tuesday.
“We have an obligation to ensure our veterans receive the support, services and respect they rightly deserve,” said Director Ben Addi. “DSHA is proud to support the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund.”
Previous DSHA employee fundraisers raised funds for Oklahoma tornado victims and Catholic Charities’ Basic Needs Program in Dover.
Governor Jack Markell in September 2013 signed legislation granting authority to the Delaware Commission of Veteran Affairs to establish and administer the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund. Separate legislation made Trust Fund contributions tax deductible.
“DSHA employees took time out of their busy schedules to contribute to the Delaware Veterans Trust Fund, which will provide help to veterans,” said Bill Farley, vice chairman for the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs. “One hundred percent of that money raised will go to Delaware veterans, prevent homelessness and get veterans on a path to a stable life.”
Since early last year, DSHA has worked with the Commission of Veterans Affairs, other government partners and nonprofit service providers to lead Delaware’s effort to end and prevent veteran homelessness. Nearly 400 previously homeless veterans in Delaware have secured permanent housing since January 2015.

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Media contact:
Dan Shortridge
Director of Public Relations
Delaware State Housing Authority
Office: 302-739-0271
Cell: 302-632-0470
dans@destatehousing.com