Dover, Del. July 17, 2023 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) recently announced that it received $2.6 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the Recovery Housing Program (RHP) Action Plan. 

RHP aims to provide stable, temporary housing for up to two years for individuals in recovery from substance use disorders. DSHA provides funding to build or rehab recovery houses, while the Department of Health and Social Services and the Division of Substance Abuse and Mental Health fund recovery services. 

The deadline for applications for the RHP grant is August 11 at 4:00 p.m. Only 501(c) (3) nonprofit developers are eligible to apply, although partnerships with other nonprofit and for-profit organizations are encouraged. Applicants should contact DSHA to schedule a pre-application meeting. Grant awards are expected to be announced in October.

“Recovery Housing is an essential part of the substance use disorder treatment and recovery continuum of care,” said Cindy Deakyne, DSHA Housing Project Manager. “It provides safe, healthy, and substance-free living environments centered on peer support and a connection to services that promote long-term recovery, including mutual support groups and recovery services to reduce isolation and relapse. We are proud to oversee this important program.”

Delaware, with one of the highest rates per capita of substance addiction in the United States, was identified by HUD in 2019 as one of the states to receive Block Grant funding for the RHP pilot program. DSHA received $2.2 million in the first round of funding.

In 2022, DSHA awarded grants to two nonprofit organizations to purchase and renovate recovery houses. Impact Life Inc. operates Delaware’s first-ever residential recovery farm in Seaford for ten women and children, and atTAcK Addiction Foundation now operates a recovery house for ten men in Harbeson. 

“Since our grand opening, we have had many life-changing and fulfilling experiences,” said Domenica Personti, Chief Executive Officer of Impact Life. “The women who call this place home are learning to recover from substance abuse while also gaining agricultural skills in a safe, structured environment.”

With the most recent round of funding, DSHA expects to award grants for two or three more Recovery Houses in Delaware. Although the existing two houses are in Sussex County, DSHA welcomes applicants looking to open recovery houses in any of the state’s three counties.

“Addressing substance abuse in our community will take innovative and effective collaborations,” said DSHA Director Eugene Young, Jr. “We look forward to working with our state agency partners, local nonprofits, and the community to expand the number of recovery houses in the state and helping more residents on the road to a new life.”

Recently, the General Assembly passed HS1 for HB114, which creates a voluntary certification process for recovery homes in Delaware. This bill provides training and technical assistance for recovery residence operators and staff as well as enables the data collection needed to study the effectiveness of Delaware’s recovery residences. 

For more information and to apply for the RHP grant, please visit http://www.destatehousing.com/Landlords/dv_cdbg.php. 

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 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 our website at: www.destatehousing.

Approximately $3 Million To Build and Restore Affordable Rental Housing in Delaware

Dover, Del. July 12, 2023 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced its preliminary project award rankings for the 2023 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) allocation last week.

The LIHTC was created in 1986 to encourage private/public investment to preserve and construct affordable rental housing nationwide. Alone and combined with tax-exempt private activity bonds, the LIHTC has been the most productive source of affordable housing financing in the nation’s history. 

Three development projects were awarded $3 million in 10-year federal LIHTCs this year. Recipients were selected based on criteria outlined in DSHA’s Qualified Allocation Plan, which include rent price, location, accessibility, and more. All projects must meet program requirements by the end of the year to receive a formal reservation of tax credit investments.

Developers claim tax credits over ten years, which allows them to balance the construction or rehabilitation costs incurred during the rental housing development. All buildings financed with the LIHTC must remain affordable and in compliance with other program policies for a minimum of 30 years. 

DSHA receives an annual tax credit amount and awards credits annually through a competitive process. The equity raised through the tax credit investment allows developers to attract the additional financing needed to create or restore low-income rental housing.

“DSHA is consistently and aggressively adding new affordable rental units to Delaware’s housing stock,” said Eugene Young, Jr., Director of DSHA. “The development of these communities will transform the lives of families and seniors and bring us one step closer to solving the housing crisis in our state.”

DSHA has administered LIHTC since 1987, adding more than 10,000 affordable units to the state’s housing inventory. For more information please visit: http://destatehousing.com/Developers/dv_lihtc.php.

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 our website at www.destatehousing.com.

Millions are currently available for housing projects; Millions more are in the pipeline

Dover, Del. April 18, 2023 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has successfully launched two new affordable housing development programs funded by the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Both programs are part of a multi-tiered approach to address the state’s housing crisis and strengthen communities. 

• The Catalyst Fund ($20 million in housing development assistance), administered in partnership with Cinnaire, launched this month and offers developers construction lending and a sales gap subsidy through ARPA funds to transform vacant and blighted properties into affordable units for low- and moderate-income homebuyers. A virtual information and update session for housing developers will be hosted this Thursday, April 20, at 11:00 a.m. Registration for the session is required.
• The Market Pressure Relief Fund (MPRF) ($10 million in housing development assistance),which launched in January 2023, relieves construction material cost increases caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on Delaware’s affordable housing development community by loaning ARPA funds to developers so that projects under construction are completed, and affordable housing units are added to the state’s inventory. Before the application deadline, affordable housing developers throughout the state applied and requested $4 million in assistance. DSHA is evaluating applications and will continue to explore ways to help more construction projects with the remaining MPRF funds. 

Governor John Carney and DSHA announced these programs, just two of five to be created, in July 2022. With more funding and programs in the pipeline this year, Delaware can further unlock potential housing development opportunities and ensure affordability in the existing housing stock.

For instance, ARPA funding will also be available to new creation and preservation development projects that intend to use the 2023 Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Housing developers who meet eligibility requirements may include it with their LIHTC applications, due on Friday, April 28, 2023. If these applications are successful in the LIHTC allocation round, then the ARPA funding will be allocated to the projects to encourage both new units and the preservation of existing units.

Delawareans can stay informed about housing program announcements by signing up for DSHA’s newsletter at destatehousing.com/NewsAndEvents/newsletters.php.

“Delaware has never seen such a significant investment in housing. The programs DSHA is creating have never been executed at this scale,” said Eugene Young, Jr., Director of DSHA. “We’re thrilled with the progress made so far, and we’re not done yet. The impact of our efforts will allow Delaware to focus on what our housing landscape will look like well past 2026 when the funds expire.” 

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 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 the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (888) 363-8808 or visit our website at www.destatehousing.com.

Dover, Del. March 10, 2023 – The Downtown Development Districts (DDD) program, administered by the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), recently released its Fiscal Year 2022 (FY2022) Annual Report and Story Map.

During FY2022, 64 development projects were completed receiving $4.6 million in state funds and leveraging $44 million in private investment. A majority were accomplished by rehabilitating existing buildings, which had been long vacant, and placing them back into productive use.

In addition, several historic properties were renovated to include mixed-use buildings with commercial or retail on the first floor and residential on the upper floors, helping to preserve the character of Delaware’s downtowns.

• Ninth Street Holdings LLC in New Castle – A dilapidated structure, considered a blight on the neighborhood, was demolished and replaced with six town homes with brick
• Triple Twelve LLC in Middletown – Originally a residence dating back to the 1800s, this building has been renovated into a tasting room and beer garden for a micro-brewery. This popular destination is attracting more visitors to Middletown while supporting surrounding businesses.
• 200Front LLC in Milford – Long dilapidated structures were demolished over several parcels to construct and design nine affordable townhomes to complement the North Milford Historic District.

The DDD program was created by legislation proposed by Governor Markell and passed unanimously in May 2014 by the General Assembly. Through state and local collaborations, robust incentives are provided to overcome the financial barriers and redevelopment challenges associated with downtown infill development.

Since its inception, the program has catalyzed private investment in designated Delaware’s downtown districts, spurring 357 projects completed and placed in service to transform distressed downtown areas into vibrant community centers.

The twelve districts are dispersed across the state, including Clayton, Delaware City, Dover, Georgetown, Harrington, Laurel, Middletown, Milford, New Castle, Seaford, Smyrna, and Wilmington.

Further development successes can be found on the program’s Story Map. This interactive website details the DDD projects in local areas that have received rebates or are currently in the pipeline.

Applications for 2022 Large Projects are currently closed. Applications for 2022 Small Projects are accepted on a rolling basis. For more information on DDD, please visit the DSHA website. The full annual report is available here.

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. For more information about DSHA, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit destatehousing.com.

Dover, Del. February 21, 2023 – Now through Friday, March 31, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) invites all residents to complete a confidential housing survey that will guide housing agencies and local jurisdictions in their efforts to:

•  Prioritize housing and housing-related services,
• Develop more targeted program and policy responses, and
• Better coordinate the use of federal, state, and local resources.

The survey takes approximately 15 minutes to complete and can be accessed in English, Spanish, and Haitian Creole at: https://delawarecommunitysurvey.com/. Responses will be reported in the aggregate in order to protect survey takers’ privacy. All eligible survey takers will be entered into ongoing drawings to win one of five $100 gift cards.

The survey, which is part of a comprehensive statewide housing needs assessment, seeks input on residents’ current and past housing experiences, housing development preferences, and opinions on Delaware’s housing market needs. Hearing directly from residents about their housing situation is imperative for creating effective responses to needs.

Additional components of the needs assessment include data collection and analysis of a variety of data sources, as well as stakeholder interviews and focus groups with residents, community leaders, and housing advocates. The final report will put forth recommendations to address various housing challenges, including the regulatory, financial, and other barriers to the construction of affordable housing. It will be published in late summer or early fall of this year.

“We must reckon with the housing crisis our state is currently experiencing. It’s time to take a new, more aggressive approach, and I’m confident this housing needs assessment will help lead the way,” said Eugene R. Young, Jr., Director of DSHA. “We were pleased to see the community so engaged and supportive during our recent Fiscal Year 2024 General Budget Hearing and look forward to ongoing engagement throughout this needs assessment process.”

DSHA’s most recent Housing Needs Assessment was released in 2015, and it can be viewed here: http://destatehousing.com/FormsAndInformation/needs.php.
This survey is not associated with political parties, legislation, or elections. Individuals who require an accommodation to participate in the survey can contact avilia@rootpolicy.com or call (970) 880-1415. An example of a reasonable accommodation would be taking the survey by phone because the survey is difficult to complete through a screen reader. Hard copies of the survey are also available by request.

A pdf of the HNA_Flyer

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 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 the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call: (888) 363-8808 or visit our website at www.destatehousing.com.