Dover, Del. Tuesday, April 9,  2024 – Today, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced an additional $100,000 in funding awarded to the Eviction Defense Project (EDP). The funding will continue supporting housing stability for low-income, at-risk renters. 

The EDP is a partnership between Delaware’s nonprofit civil legal services providers and other justice community partners to provide free legal assistance and representation for Delaware tenants in eviction and loss of public housing/housing voucher cases. Members of EDP include: 

• Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc.
• Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)
• Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc. 
• The Delaware Bar Foundation
• The Delaware State Bar Association
• The Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice

Since 2021, DSHA awarded EDP over $200,000. With these funds, over 150 households have been assisted in remaining stable, avoiding legal judgment and/or eviction, and keeping their housing subsidy. 

“CLASI fights daily to keep low-income, at-risk tenants in their homes because we know that housing is a foundational building block in a person’s journey,” said Sarah Rhine, Managing Attorney at CLASI. “With this additional funding, our team will be able to build capacity and continue helping Delawareans statewide.”

The award is funded by the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which U.S. Treasury allocated to the state of Delaware in January and May of 2021.

“We’re proud of the difference the Eviction Defense Project has made with this funding to date,” said Cynthia Karnai, Director of DSHA. “Their programs are not only community-minded but also efficient and intentional. We look forward to seeing how this additional award builds on their success.”

For more information on the Eviction Defense Project, please visit delegalhelplink.org or call (302) 478-8850.

SUCCESS STORY

Mr. G is an individual with disabilities who holds a housing voucher through the New Castle County Housing Authority (NCCHA). He and his mother were on the voucher together and lived in the rental with no issues for many years.

In 2023, Mr. G’s mother, his primary support person, passed away, causing him to fall behind on his rent and lose communication with NCCHA.

He started the healing process recently and contacted CLASI for help with his nonpayment eviction case. His landlord was willing to enter a 6-month repayment plan to settle the pending eviction case; however, Mr. G’s only source of income is Social Security Disability Income. As a result, he would have had to pay over 50% of his income towards housing.

By working with CLASI and the Eviction Defense Project, Mr. G used settlement assistance funds to make the repayment plan viable. The funding provided allowed Mr. G to:

1. Preserve his voucher.
2. Avoid eviction.
3. Retain stable and safe housing.
4. Maintain his mental health.

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.

On Wednesday, March 13, 2024, the Delaware Senate confirmed Cynthia Karnai as Delaware’s Housing Cabinet Secretary and the Director of Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA). 

Governor Carney nominated Karnai in February after former director Eugene Young, Jr. announced his resignation at the agency’s Joint Finance Committee Budget hearing. 

Prior to being named Deputy Director in 2022, Karnai served 16-plus years as the agency’s Chief Operating Officer, overseeing its operations, and Director of Housing Finance, guiding homeownership and foreclosure prevention.

Since joining DSHA in 2005, her work has focused on promoting homeownership, from managing programs during the height of the housing boom with annual funding of over $420 million to challenging economic times. She launched innovative resources to revitalize Delaware’s housing market, including emergency foreclosure assistance for senior citizens and low-rate mortgage rates for new construction and veterans. She launched the first-time homebuyer federal tax credit in Delaware. As a unique initiative for the agency, Cynthia developed and launched, in 90 days, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, the State’s mortgage assistance program for those impacted by COVID-19.

Under Karnai’s leadership, DSHA has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association National Accounting and Financial Reporting Award, received national recognition by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, and received the National Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials.

“Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for their votes confirming Cynthia Karnai as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority,” said Governor Carney. “With her tenure and expertise with the Housing Authority, Cynthia is well positioned to lead the difficult but rewarding work of helping Delawareans obtain safe and stable housing, creating affordable housing options, and strengthening neighborhoods. I appreciate her willingness to continue to serve the First State.”

“I am honored and humbled to serve as the new Director of Delaware State Housing Authority,” said Cynthia Karnai, Director of DSHA. “I’m proud to work with a diverse group of housing experts and look forward to advancing DSHA’s mission.” 

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.

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Wednesday issued the following statement on the Senate’s vote to confirm his nomination of Cynthia Karnai to serve as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

“Thank you to the members of the Delaware Senate for their votes confirming Cynthia Karnai as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority,” said Governor Carney. “With her tenure and expertise with the Housing Authority, Cynthia is well positioned to lead the difficult but rewarding work of helping Delawareans obtain safe and stable housing, creating affordable housing options, and strengthening neighborhoods. I appreciate her willingness to continue to serve the First State.”

DOVER, Del. – Governor John Carney on Tuesday announced he intends to nominate Cynthia Karnai to serve as Director of the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA).

Karnai’s nomination must be approved by the Delaware State Senate. 

“Cynthia understands the housing situation in Delaware, and she’ll continue the hard work we are doing to create affordable housing options, strengthen neighborhoods, and help Delawareans become homeowners,” said Governor Carney. “I am confident her years of experience within the Delaware State Housing Authority will make her a strong leader for the Department. I want to thank Cynthia for her willingness to step into this role, and I look forward to the Delaware State Senate considering her nomination.”

If confirmed by the Senate, Karnai would replace Director Eugene Young. Young will step down from his position next month after leading Delaware’s housing and community development agency since 2021. Karnai is currently the Deputy Director for the Delaware State Housing Authority and will serve as Acting Director of the agency following Young’s departure.

“Over the past three years, DSHA has advanced housing solutions through innovative and impactful initiatives driven by a committed, community-minded team,” said Director Young. “I am grateful to have been a part of this extraordinary period in the agency’s history. I will carry the values and lessons learned from these efforts into the next phase of my career. Cynthia is an asset for housing in our state, and if confirmed, she will be an exceptional leader for our team.”

Prior to being named Deputy Director in 2022, Karnai served 16-plus years in the roles of Chief Operating Officer, overseeing the agency’s operations, and Director of Housing Finance, guiding homeownership and foreclosure prevention.

Since joining DSHA in 2005, her work has focused on promoting homeownership, from managing programs during the height of the housing boom with annual funding of over $420 million to challenging economic times. She launched innovative resources to revitalize Delaware’s housing market, including emergency foreclosure assistance for senior citizens, low-rate mortgage rates for new construction and veterans, and launched the first-time homebuyer federal tax credit in Delaware. As a special initiative for the agency, Cynthia developed and launched, in 90 days, the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, the State’s mortgage assistance program for those impacted by COVID-19.

Under Karnai’s leadership, DSHA has been awarded the Government Finance Officers Association National Accounting and Financial Reporting Award, received national recognition by the National Council of State Housing Agencies, and received the National Award of Merit from the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and a Master’s degree in Urban Affairs and Public Policy from the University of Delaware. She received her Master of Business Administration, concentrating in Financial Management, from Goldey-Beacom College.

Related news: Governor Carney Releases Statement on Delaware State Housing Authority Director Young’s resignation

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.