Stable, affordable housing is an integral part of Delaware’s economy and every family’s quality of life. So the Delaware State Housing Authority needs assessment released this past week is critical to charting the best future for our state. It provides vital, in-depth information about Delaware’s housing market, housing demand and the housing needs of our population so that we can consider the impact of other policy decisions on our communities.

The state, our counties, and all of our cities and towns must effectively plan for the type of housing and land use that best serves Delawareans, while encouraging economic development across the state. That’s why the needs assessment provides a detailed look at questions like: Where do Delaware’s households – and those that might be moving to Delaware – want to live? What are the size of their families, their ages and their income levels? And what type of housing is in the highest demand? Our answers shape the future of neighborhoods and communities for decades to come. And they drive new initiatives, like our new Downtown Development Districts program, which will help selected cities and towns grow through financial incentives, along with a range of other benefits. You can see the Housing Authority’s full report along with interactive maps at www.DEStateHousing.com.

By having a long-term plan, we’ll continue our work to ensure Delaware is an attractive place to live for families of all types; we’ll make the most of our state’s housing resources; and we’ll provide our people with the economic opportunity to keep Delaware moving forward.

(Dover, DE) – In his weekly message, Governor Markell addresses the importance of the Delaware State Housing Authority’s (DSHA) just-released Housing Needs Assessment, which provides information to help determine housing priorities for DSHA and in communities throughout the State. The new report analyzes issues like the types of housing in highest demand, and will help shape policies to strengthen the economy.
“The state, our counties, and all of our cities and towns must effectively plan for the type of housing and land use that best serves Delawareans, while encouraging economic development across the state,” said Governor Markell. “By having a long-term plan, we’ll continue our work to ensure Delaware is an attractive place to live for families of all types; we’ll make the most of our state’s housing resources; and we’ll provide our people with the economic opportunity to keep Delaware moving forward.”
Every week, the Governor’s office releases a new Weekly Message in video, audio, and transcript form. The message is available on:

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2W9f03YQP-4
Delaware.Gov: http://governor.delaware.gov/podcast_video.shtml
By email: Please contact our press team to subscribe to our press list
Facebook: www.facebook.com/governormarkell
Twitter: www.twitter.com/governormarkell

Transcript of the Governor’s Weekly Message: Growing the Economy by Meeting Delawareans’ Housing Needs

WILMINGTON, Del. – On Friday, September 12th, Lt. Governor Matt Denn has events in New Castle and Kent Counties.

He starts his day helping CHIMES celebrate their 20th anniversary with opening remarks. Chimes Delaware is one of the largest providers in Delaware of community services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and co-occurring disabilities. With services and supports provided throughout the State of Delaware, they tailor their services to the unique and changing needs and preferences of the person. CHIMES offers an array of services emphasizing choice and diversity of opportunities that span every stage of adult life, enabling participants to fulfill their goals and dreams and maximize their independence.

He then joins Governor Markell to highlight progress being made to support first-time Delaware mothers through home visitations by nurses. They will hold a discussion with nurses and staff of Children and Families First about the nurse-family partnership program with which the organization has been involved using federal funding. Through the national Nurse Family Partnership program, nurses visit first-time low-income mothers, and teach them how to care for their newborns. Attendees will discuss the success of the program and ways to address the ongoing challenges of the women served by it.

The Lt. Governor will bring greetings on behalf of the State at the Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association Annual Luncheon.

Finally, the Lt. Governor is honored to emcee the AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary Celebration. On September 12th, AmeriCorps across the country will be swearing in the next cadre of volunteers, while celebrating the rich history of this wonderful organization. Lt. Governor Denn will be joined by the State Office of Volunteerism, as well as U.S. Senators Tom Carper and Chris Coons.

Lt. Governor Denn’s Schedule Friday, September 12, 2014

10:00am – 10:15am CHIMES 20th Anniversary
514 Interchange Blvd.
Newark

10:45am – 11:15am Nurse Family Partnership Meeting
Children and Families First
2005 Baynard Blvd.
Wilmington

12:00pm – 2:00pm Delaware Volunteer Firefighters Association Annual Luncheon
Dover Downs
Dover

6:00pm – 9:00pm AmeriCorps 20th Anniversary Celebration
University of Delaware
Clayton Hall Conference Center
100 David Hollowell Dr.
Newark

Child Passenger Safety Week September 14^th-20^th

Dover – It’s not always easy to know how to correctly secure children in car seats in all types of vehicles. Three out of 4 parents in Delaware do not install their child’s car seat properly. So Delaware and the rest of the nation recognize National Child Passenger Safety Week September 14-20 to promote the correct and consistent use of child safety seats. Children using incorrectly installed car seats face dramatically increased rates of death and injury in the event of a crash.

OHS and Bucklebear will be distributing important information in the community on child passenger safety including tip sheets, how to register your car seat, and where to find car seat fitting stations. Fitting stations are conveniently located statewide and staffed by certified child passenger safety technicians who will inspect the car seat for correct installation and show you how to properly position your child in the seat. Call for an appointment at one of these locations.

Wilmington                                             DMV Dover DMV                                                 DSP Troop 7
2230 Hessler Blvd                                 303 Transportation Cir.                                      18006 Coastal Hwy, Lewes
302.434.3234                                        302.744.2749                                                       302.744.2749
Tuesday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm                 Tuesday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm                               302.387.2324
Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm           Wednesday 4:00 pm – 8:00 pm                         By appointment only
Thursday 9:00 am – 1:00 pm

OHS is also offering other opportunities statewide for families to get their car seats checked for free at the following locations:

Friday Sept. 19, 2014 from 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Christiana Care Hospital- Maternity Department
4755 Ogletown-Stanton Rd, Newark
Open to the public, no appointment necessary

Saturday Sept. 20, 2014 from 11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Dover DMV
303 Transportation Circle
302.744.2749
No appointment necessary

There are 4 steps for child safety as they grow; rear facing, forward facing, booster seat use, and seat belt use. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends parents to keep their children in rear facing car seats until the age of 2. Delaware law sets a minimum standard that gives parents flexibility to meet the new best practice recommendation set by the AAP and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Delaware law simply requires a child to be “properly secured according to manufacturer’s instructions” in a child safety seat “that is appropriate for the child’s age/weight and height” up to age 8 or 65 lbs in weight, whichever comes first. Ages 8 – 16 must be secured in a seat belt.

OHS is encouraging parents to follow the wording in the NHTSA guidelines which were also updated to closely mirror the new recommendations by the AAP, but may be easier for parents to understand and follow. These guidelines recommend that parents keep their 1 – 3 year olds “rear facing as long as possible”, and focus more attention on obeying the manufactures weight and height limits on individual seats using age as a broad guide for rear facing vs. forward facing instead.

Parents who would like to learn more about the 4 steps for child safety and to find the times and dates of car seat check locations can visit OHS website at http://www.ohs.delaware.gov/carseat, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe, or Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.

Dover –The Delaware Office of Highway Safety (OHS) along with state and local law enforcement are reminding motorists and motorcyclists alike to See & Be Seen during Delmarva Bike Week.  From September 11^th to 15^th, law enforcement across the state will be patrolling high crash roadways ensuring that both motorists and motorcyclists are riding and driving safe and sharing the road.  Motorists are reminded to look twice for motorcyclists before pulling out from an intersection or cross roads and motorcyclists are reminded that they need to comply with the state’s motorcycle safety laws including having the proper motorcycle endorsement on their license.

Agencies participating in the increased enforcement include Bethany Beach PD, Dewey Beach PD, Dover PD, Fenwick Island PD, Georgetown PD, Lewes PD, Milford PD, Milton PD, New Castle County PD, Newark PD, Rehoboth Beach PD, and DSP.

To date Delaware has experienced 15 motorcycle fatalities compared to 14 at this time last year.

Tips for drivers on how to prevent a fatal crash with a motorcycle;

• Though a motorcycle is a small vehicle, its operator still has all the rights of the road as any other motorist. Allow the motorcycle the full width of a lane at all times.
• Always signal when changing lanes or merging with traffic.
• If you see a motorcycle with a signal on, be careful: motorcycle signals are often non-canceling and could have been forgotten. Always ensure that the motorcycle is turning before proceeding.
• Check all mirrors and blind spots for motorcycles before changing lanes or merging with traffic, especially at intersections.
• Always allow more following distance – three to four seconds – when behind a motorcycle. This gives them more time to maneuver or stop in an emergency.
• Never drive distracted or impaired.

Motorcyclists can increase their safety by following these steps:

• Wear a DOT-compliant helmet and other protective gear.
• Obey all traffic laws and be properly licensed.
• Use hand and turn signals at every lane change or turn.
• Wear brightly colored clothes and reflective tape to increase visibility.
• Ride in the middle of the lane where you will be more visible to drivers.
• Never ride distracted or impaired.

For more information visit www.MotorcycleSafetyDE.org and follow regular campaign updates on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DEHighwaySafe and Facebook www.facebook.com/ArriveAliveDE.