Delaware State Housing Authority To Begin Issuing Final Federal Homeowner And Homebuyer Funding

Final Federal Assistance Is Available Through Early 2024; State-Funded Assistance Is Still Available and Ongoing

 

Dover, Del., September 18, 2023 – As part of the state’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) launched three new temporary programs to address barriers to achieving and maintaining homeownership for affected populations.

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program (DEMRP), Delaware Diamonds Home Loan, and Home Sweet Home Program are now nearing the end of their allocated funding. Delawareans are encouraged to apply now or explore alternative assistance programs offered by DSHA.

DEMRP provides up to $50,000 for housing-related delinquencies such as mortgage, property tax, homeowners association, and homeowner insurance payments, and up to $20,000 for critical home repairs, including mold and mildew remediation, lead-based paint removal, roof replacement, heating, cooling, electrical, and plumbing repairs, and the repair, replacement, or installation of accessibility aids such as hand railings, ramps, grab bars and wider doorways.

DEMRP is expected to exhaust its funds by early 2024, if not sooner. Homeowners are being encouraged to apply for assistance as quickly as possible as funding is limited. An application for the DEMRP Program can be found here: https://demortgagehelp.com/.

 

 

Program uses

Maximum Assistance Amount  

Application Status

Housing-related delinquencies such as:

·         mortgage,

·         property tax,

·         homeowner’s association,

·         and homeowner insurance payments

 

 

$50,000

 

 

Application Open

Home repairs, including:

·         mold and mildew remediation

·         lead paint removal

·         pest abatement

·         heating, cooling, electrical, plumbing repairs,

·         and the repair, replacement, or installation of accessibility aids

 

 

 

$20,000

New Castle County – Waitlist Available

 

Kent County – Application Open

 

Sussex County – Waitlist Available

 

To date, DEMRP has disbursed over $30 million in financial assistance to more than 12,000 Delawareans across the state. Read a program participant testimonial here or view the program’s data dashboard here.

The Delaware Diamonds Home Loan and Home Sweet Home Program have exhausted their available funding. Both programs offered potential homebuyers a zero-interest forgivable second loan of $12,000 to $15,000 and were funded by a $5 million allocation from Governor Carney to DSHA.

The Delaware Diamonds Home Loan and Home Sweet Home Program helped 136 Delawareans achieve homeownership throughout the state. Read a success story here.

Potential homebuyers can still receive alternative assistance from DSHA through the Smart State Home Loan and First State Home Loan Program. Subsidized revenues from DSHA fund these programs, and both will remain active for the foreseeable future.

For more information or to learn about other homeownership programs offered by DSHA, please visit https://kissyourlandlordgoodbye.com/.

“Supporting homebuyers and homeowners is at the core of our agency’s mission,” said Eugene Young Jr., Director of DSHA. “We knew that these programs would eventually end and are incredibly proud of the impact we were able to have. Our team remains committed to serving Delaware families and is exploring all options to ensure every resident can access a safe, affordable home.”

 

About the 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 because it serves as a Public Housing Authority in Kent and Sussex County and a Community Development and Planning Agency. For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit www.destatehousing.com.


Delaware Mortgage Relief Program Now Open

Up To $40,000 In Financial Assistance Available To Delaware Residents

 DOVER, Del., Tuesday, June 28, 2022 Delaware State Housing Authority is proud to announce the launch of the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, designed to assist eligible households who experienced a COVID-19-related financial hardship that resulted in mortgage delinquency or forbearance. Homeowners can apply here: demortgagehelp.com.

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program provides up to $40,000 to cover the following delinquencies: mortgage, property tax, chattel loan, land lease, water and sewer utilities, homeowner or condominium association fees, and homeowner insurance. Eligible homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • Delaware resident who owns and occupies their home in Delaware as their primary residence
  • Income at or below 150 % AMI or 100% of the Median Income for the United States, whichever is greater (Find your AMI here)
  • Financial hardship after January 21, 2020, such as reduced income or increased expenses
  • Delinquent by at least 30 days, including any payments during a forbearance

“Our agency understands the importance of housing stability for Delaware families. With many still facing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are committed to keeping them in their homes and out of foreclosure, said Eugene Young, Jr., Director of DSHA. “This program will target individuals and families in need and those who are socially disadvantaged. We thank Delaware’s federal delegation for advocating on behalf of our residents and are proud to get these funds out the door.”

“We know many Delawareans have faced difficult situations and have struggled with the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Governor John Carney. “We are committed to supporting our neighbors by providing real relief for Delawareans and Delaware families and helping them stay in their homes.”

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program is funded through the American Rescue Plan Act and Homeowner Assistance Fund, which the U.S. Treasury Department distributed to the state of Delaware. The $50 million received is being administered by DSHA and will be available until 2025 or until funds are exhausted.

“When we were writing the American Rescue Plan Act, we wanted to find ways to help Delaware families stay afloat during the pandemic,” said U.S. Senator Tom Carper. “This is just the kind of program we had in mind for states to implement so we can deliver relief directly to the Delawareans affected most by the pandemic.”

“Today’s program announcement is an important step in helping Delawareans and their families deal with the financial hardships brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester. “Thanks to federal funding provided by the American Rescue Plan, which Senator Carper, Senator Coons, and I voted for, eligible Delaware homeowners will be able to access this resource through the Delaware State Housing Authority to help them stay in their homes.”

“This program will provide a needed lifeline for thousands of working Delawareans who are homeowners, with additional assistance to help ensure they can stabilize their mortgage and remain in their homes. Many men and women who worked in sectors like hospitality and education when the pandemic began, or those who became caregivers for a child or elderly relative, dealt with personal financial challenges brought on by the COVID 19 pandemic,” said U.S. Senator Chris Coons. “I know how important it is to help bring stability to middle-class Delaware homeowners while also continuing to support renters and landlords with similar programs. I’m glad to see this relief program take effect and start helping working families across Delaware.”

For questions about the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, please call (888) 303- 4324 or visit demortgagehelp.com.

 About 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.


Delaware Mortgage Relief Program Approved By U.S. Department Of The Treasury

Program To Open Statewide In The Summer Of 2022

DOVER, Del., June 13, 2022 – Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced today that the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program plan received approval from the U.S. Department of the Treasury. With approval in hand, the agency is scheduled to launch the program statewide in the next 45 days.

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, funded by the American Rescue Plan Act and Homeowners Assistance Fund, will provide up to $40,000 in financial assistance to eligible households who experienced a COVID-19-related financial hardship that resulted in mortgage delinquency or forbearance.

“Every day, our staff works hard to help Delawareans achieve homeownership. Yet, it is important to know that is not where our support stops,” said Eugene Young, Jr., Executive Director of DSHA. “This program will allow Delawareans to stay in their homes as we continue to recover from the pandemic.”

The Delaware Mortgage Relief Program covers the following delinquencies: mortgage, property tax, chattel loan, land lease, water and sewer utilities, homeowner or condominium association fees, and homeowner insurance. Eligible homeowners must meet the following requirements:

  • Delaware resident who owns and occupies their home in Delaware as their primary residence
  • Income at or below 150 % Area Median Income (AMI) or 100% of the Median Income for the United States, whichever is greater (Find your AMI here)
  • Financial hardship after January 21, 2020, such as reduced income or increased expenses
  • Delinquent by at least 30 days, including any payments during a forbearance period.

Delawareans can download the Mortgage Relief Supporting Document Checklist here to prepare for the program application.

For updates about the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, Delawareans are encouraged to visit www.demortgagehelp.com or call (888) 303-4324.