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

Governor Markell designates new districts in Smyrna, Milford, Harrington, Georgetown and Laurel

• Governor Markell made the expansion announcement during an event on Wednesday in Downtown Smyrna
• Since last year, $14 million in Downtown Development Districts grant funding has leveraged more than $200 million of private investment in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford.
• Smyrna Mayor: DDD designation will “ignite even more progress.”
• Funding round for large projects is scheduled to begin in early September
• Lawmakers unanimously approved the DDD program in 2014

Smyrna, DE – Governor Jack Markell on Wednesday announced a statewide expansion of Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts program, significantly building on the state’s efforts to redevelop Delaware’s commercial business districts and drive private investment in towns and cities.

Governor Markell officially designated five new Downtown Development Districts – in Smyrna, Harrington, Milford, Georgetown and Laurel. Investors who make qualified improvements to residential, commercial, or industrial properties in those districts now may qualify for state and local development incentives, including 20 percent state grant rebates.

“The Downtown Development Districts program already is driving major investment in our cities, from Market Street in Wilmington to the banks of the Nanticoke River in Seaford,” said Governor Jack Markell. “More Delawareans than ever want to live and work in walkable, urban areas. This expansion will help meet that demand by encouraging private development of downtown areas statewide.”

Since early 2015, the Downtown Development Districts program has helped finance major new private development in the original districts in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford, with $14 million in state grant funding leveraging more than $200 million of private investment. Governor Markell made the expansion announcement in downtown Smyrna on Wednesday morning, joined by local officials representing the new districts.

Quotes from new DDD representatives

“We are excited about the transformation that will occur in the next few years in Downtown Smyrna. Smyrna has been working hard to grow our Downtown, and the Downtown Development District designation will help ignite even more progress and at a quicker pace,” said Smyrna Mayor Joanne Masten. “The grant program will open doors for our wide range of developers and business owners with opportunities to further strengthen our town. We’re grateful that Governor Markell has made this initiative available to so many wonderful downtowns in Delaware.”

“We are extremely excited about our selection as a Delaware Development District partner with the State of Delaware,” said Milford Mayor Bryan Shupe. “The Downtown Development District application process has been a great experience for the City of Milford. It has allowed us to explore and evaluate the public and private, commercial, and residential assets within the downtown district.

“Determining an overall economic development strategy that encourages private investment from existing businesses and home owners as well as prospective investors, the City of Milford has created a series of incentives that rewards individuals and businesses that enhance the quality of living within the district,” Shupe said. “The benefits created by the State of Delaware DDD program, including the potential for grants up to 20 percent of hard costs for private investments, will create a vibrant economic environment where public-private partnerships can create jobs and further economic opportunities in downtown Milford.”

“Harrington is very honored to accept the Governor’s Downtown Development District Designation and I feel this is exactly what Harrington needs to jumpstart its Downtown Revitalization,” said Harrington Mayor Anthony R. Moyer. “The City recently adopted a Downtown Development District Plan with input from the community, various organizations, downtown businesses and a Downtown Task Force with support from the City Council and Planning Commission. The Plan would not have been possible without the Neighborhood Building Blocks Grant Fund.

“A special thanks to our City Manager, Teresa Tieman, and her staff, as well as Debbie Pfeil and Lauren Good of KCI Technologies, Inc. for leading the efforts with these initiatives and the very competitive designation application,” Moyer said. “The City recently approved five District specific incentives and ten other citywide incentives, created several development resources, and ensured infrastructure was in place. With this designation, our Downtown is certain to prosper, maintain its character, and be the center of our community.”

“The Town Council and I are committed to the revitalization of our downtown and firmly believe this designation, combined with significant local incentives, will help kick start both residential and commercial investment within our main commercial district,” said Georgetown Mayor Bill West. “Initial efforts will be to complete our implementation plan, communicate the designation to all properties within the district boundaries, and invite new and existing projects to take advantage of this opportunity. We appreciate the continued support from both the Office of the Governor and the Delaware Legislature for this worthwhile program. We look forward to the positive impact of this designation on the Town of Georgetown.”

“The development district designation will give Laurel a very important new tool to stir new development along broad creek to support eco tourism, establish new businesses and revitalize homes in our historic area,” said Laurel Mayor John Shwed.

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 also are available for qualifying projects.

In Laurel, for example, local incentives include property tax relief and coordinated cross-agency efforts to help investors build homes, promote homeownership and rehabilitate vacant properties. Smyrna is offering business consulting services, discounted utility charges and assistance from a Revolving Loan Fund for Downtown Development District investors.

Downtown Development District Incentives

In early September, the Delaware State Housing Authority will launch a new funding round for large projects in each of Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts. Nearly $8 million in funding will be available for projects statewide. Applications to fund small projects – defined as investments of less than $250,000 in a designed downtown district – are accepted on a rolling basis.

“We’re thrilled to work with homeowners, developers, and small business owners to drive investment in all of the newly-designated districts,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “This program is working, and we’ve seen the proof in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford. We look forward to even more progress statewide.”

Governor Markell announced in March that the DDD program would expand through new district designations. Delaware’s Office of State Planning Coordination led the process to review the applications and designate the new districts. Applications were scored based on the town or city’s need for Downtown Development District incentives, the jurisdiction’s downtown revitalization plan, and the creativity of its incentive package.

“All of Delaware’s towns and cities are unique, and I am so pleased that we were able to expand this program to the five diverse communities being recognized today: Laurel, Harrington, Smyrna, Milford and Georgetown,” said State Planning Director Constance Holland. “The best part of this program is that it supports such a wide range of redevelopment activities so each town can thrive. This program demonstrates that the state supports all of our local governments and their visions of economically vibrant, healthy, and complete communities.”

$4.5 million in grant funding for 11 projects will leverage $130 million in private investment

DOVER, DE — Building on progress in Delaware’s downtowns, Governor Jack Markell and the Delaware State Housing Authority announced on Monday that 11 new downtown revitalization projects in Wilmington, Dover and Seaford will receive $4.5 million in grant funding through Delaware’s Downtown Development Districts program.
Since the first grant awards in April 2015, the DDD program has worked to spur private investment in Delaware’s cities. To date, $14 million in grants through the program has leveraged $290 million in private investment in designated downtown districts in all three counties.
“When we started the Downtown Development Districts program, we thought that a modest amount of state grant money would encourage private investors to invest significantly in our downtown areas,” said Governor Jack Markell. “It’s clear that is happening. We’re thrilled with the progress we’ve seen in all three counties and look forward to even more investment in our cities.”
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.
Governor Markell announced in March that the DDD program would expand through new district designations. On June 1, 10 cities and towns from across Delaware submitted applications to designate a new Downtown Development District, providing more evidence of the support and success of the program. Those applications are still under review by the Office of State Planning Coordination.
“The DDD program is working to attract significant private investment into our urban centers,” said Anas Ben Addi, Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority. “The progress is real and visible, and we’re excited to support new projects that will bring even more people into our downtown areas to live and work.”
“As a not for profit organization providing health care for the community, we must always be fiscally responsible while also reinvesting in patient care services,” said Steven A. Rose, RN MN, President and CEO of Nanticoke Health Services. “Nanticoke has grown significantly over the past several years and we are outgrowing our space. Through the Downtown Development District Grant, Nanticoke will be able to repair an aging building, move team members providing business services to that building, and make room within the hospital for expanded patient care services. Without the Downtown Development District Grant, this expansion would be more difficult and take longer to complete. We are grateful for the foresight of the state to develop such a grant program.”
“The Downtown Development District grants, and the public confidence they reflect, help take these projects from concept to reality by assuring investors and lenders that they are vital to the city’s growth and development, while also leveraging exponentially more private investment,” said Michael Hare, Senior Vice President of Development at The Buccini/Pollin Group.

Project details
• Loockerman Plaza LLC plans to develop a three-story mixed use building between Loockerman Street and North Street in downtown Dover. The building will include retail on the first floor and apartments on the second and third floors, while maintaining the pedestrian courtyard between the two streets.
• Nanticoke Memorial Hospital will rehab a former furniture store in Seaford into a twostory building that will house seven ancillary departments and a community training center. The development will allow Nanticoke to expand its role as a primary employment provider and provider of healthcare services in western Sussex County.
• Delaware Center for Homeless Veterans is rehabilitating a vacant building on East 8th Street in Wilmington, formerly the Layton Home, into a 51-unit apartment building that will provide permanent housing for veterans. Renovations will include Energy Star rated windows and appliances, and a variety of common areas for resident programs and activities.
• Urban Connect LLC plans to rehabilitate five vacant parcels along Market and King Streets in Wilmington into a mixed-use facility that will anchor a restaurant, a technical center and 10 market-rate apartments.
• 2 East 7th Street LLC plans to rehabilitate a historic building in Wilmington into a mixed-use structure that will include a high-end Italian restaurant on the ground floor and 15 apartments on the upper floors.

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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

Changes will offer more housing choice near job centers, quality schools

DOVER, DE — To ensure that all Delawareans have more choice of where to live, the Delaware State Housing Authority is increasing available rental assistance in Areas of Opportunity across the state, allowing families with housing vouchers to move closer to employment centers, quality schools and high-growth housing markets.
The change will apply to the State Rental Assistance Program, the federal Housing Choice Voucher program in Kent and Sussex Counties and the federal Family Unification Program. Combined, the programs offer rental assistance to more than 1,600 Delaware families.
Delaware’s Areas of Opportunity are searchable by address and ZIP Code in a new DSHA map available online.
“These changes will offer more housing choice and mobility for Delawareans who want to live near good jobs and schools of their choice,” said Governor Jack Markell.
“SRAP has been an especially important tool for youth aging out of foster care, people with disabilities, and many more families who need access to jobs, activities, and public transportation. With this new policy, we will help more people thrive in their communities.”
This change builds on ongoing efforts by DSHA to increase access to Areas of Opportunity for Delaware’s working families. Through its rental housing development programs, DSHA incentivizes new development of rental housing in high-value and high-growth housing markets. Encouraging new development in these areas both prevents the additional concentration of rental housing in distressed neighborhoods and provides new affordable housing opportunities for working families in areas of high growth, which often have higher median incomes, higher homeownership rates and are near employment centers and quality schools.
DSHA also actively encourages developers to build new housing near sources of public transportation.
“Housing vouchers help families afford decent housing and make ends meet,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “But they should not also constrain families to live only in certain neighborhoods.”
The maximum allowable rents paid through these rental assistance programs are set locally within guidelines defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Under the new change at DSHA, maximum rent payments will be 10 percent higher in Areas of Opportunity.
Nationally, close to half of households with housing vouchers include children. Harvard University economists recently found that using housing vouchers to help families with young children move into lower-poverty neighborhoods had “substantial benefits” for those children, including higher average earnings in adulthood.
“Where a child grows up should never determine where she ends up,” said Jane C.W. Vincent, Regional Administrator for HUD’s Mid-Atlantic region. “All families deserve the same chance to succeed—and providing new tools for families to help move into areas of higher opportunity gives them an opportunity for a better life.”
As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA manages 900 vouchers through the federal Housing Choice Voucher program in Kent and Sussex Counties.
Through the Delaware State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP), launched in 2011, DSHA helps another 700 Delawareans live independently. SRAP was designed to assist low-income Delawareans who require affordable housing and supportive services to live safely and independently in their communities.
Referrals for SRAP vouchers are made through case managers in the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families and their partner service providers.
The federal Family Unification Program serves families and Delaware children aging out foster care who are in need of safe and affordable housing.
“The new higher payment standard will open more opportunities for housing which will assist our participants in securing housing that will address the most basic need of shelter,” said Felicia Kellum, Independent Living Program Manager for the Division of Family Services at the Delaware Department of Services for Children, Youth and their Families.
“In having this need met, the youth will be better positioned to further their education and improve their employability. The increase in the payment standard will continue our efforts to address the needs of this vulnerable population and is greatly appreciated.”

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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

New services available for potential homeowners

WILMINGTON, DE — Building on efforts to promote responsible homeownership, the Delaware State Housing Authority is partnering with $tand By Me to offer new financial coaching services to Delawareans interested in purchasing their first home.

Services are now available for Delawareans who need extra financial coaching assistance to reduce debt, improve their credit score and increase their savings to achieve greater financial stability while pursuing a path to homeownership.

“Financial literacy is critical to success in today’s economy,” said Governor Jack Markell. “And because of this program, Delawareans who are hoping to purchase their first home now have even more services to draw from to give them the stability they need, and the foundation to pursue a better life.”

Through one-on-one support from a financial coach, $tand By Me will help participants in the new program meet the criteria necessary to qualify for a mortgage. After working with a coach to become mortgage ready, $tand By Me will refer participants to a housing counselor who will walk them step-by-step through the purchase process.

“This new partnership will make a real difference for Delawareans who need extra financial coaching to get on a path to stable homeownership,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi.

Discover Bank provided half of the funding for the new program. “Homeownership is a major financial investment and we’re happy to be working with DSHA, the United Way and Stand By Me to provide helpful counseling so families are properly informed and can become homeowners,” said James Roszkowski, President of Discover Bank. “Providing valuable financial tools and resources for families aligns with our mission of helping people spend smarter, manage debt better and save more so they achieve a brighter financial future.”

The partnership between DSHA and $tand By Me is a natural one for Delawareans hoping to become homeowners. DSHA provides affordable home loans for first-time and repeat homebuyers, while also offering down payment and settlement cost assistance, and First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credits.

$tand by Me — a public-private partnership and a program of the Delaware Office of Financial Empowerment and United Way of Delaware — encourages Delawareans with financial challenges to consider working with a personal financial coach to rein in their debt and reach their goals. All services are free.

Experienced and knowledgeable in personal financial management, $tand By Me coaches work with clients to identify problem areas, set specific goals and devise a solid, workable plan for success. “This is a powerful partnership that will make it easier for Delawareans to responsibly achieve the American Dream of homeownership, while making sure they have the financial tools necessary to purchase and maintain their homes,” said Rita Landgraf, Secretary of the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services.

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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