DOVER – Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) announced today $1.2 million in Home4Good funding awarded to programs across the state working to reduce homelessness. DSHA provided $500,000 toward the effort, and FHLBank Pittsburgh provided $700,000.

The funding will be used to address four key areas: homelessness prevention, homelessness diversion, rapid re-housing and innovation. Sixteen programs from 11 organizations in the state will receive funding.

“FHLBank Pittsburgh’s ongoing partnership with DSHA continues to make a meaningful difference in the well-being of the neighborhoods we serve and the lives of our neighbors who live there,” said Winthrop Watson, FHLBank Pittsburgh’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “Thanks to the support of our member institutions, more than $7 million in Home4Good grants will be directed to local service organizations throughout Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

Home4Good was created in 2018 by FHLBank Pittsburgh and is being administered by DSHA. The funding announced today is being distributed as grants to organizations that help individuals retain or find housing, provide supportive services to those facing homelessness or address other unmet needs within the existing homeless provider network. This is the second year of funding in the Home4Good program.

“DSHA is once again pleased to be a part of the Home4Good initiative supporting organizations who are working to reduce homelessness in Delaware,” said DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi. “This funding will allow the organizations to provide financial assistance and other services to help Delawareans facing homelessness remain in their homes or find stable housing for those who are currently homeless.”

West End Neighborhood House received two Home4Good grants this year. The first award for homelessness prevention totals $75,000 and will be used to support the organization’s Statewide Security Deposit Loan Program. The second award of $60,000 will be used beginning January 1, 2020 to provide support for ex-offenders returning to society who are facing difficulty finding safe, affordable housing.

“For over 100 years, West End has helped Delawareans meet their housing needs,” said Executive Director Paul F. Calistro, Jr. “With this funding, we are pleased to pilot a program that will assist individuals who are re-entering our community from the criminal justice system. Through the pilot program, we will help approximately 40 individuals secure short-term housing in an effort to reduce recidivism and increase their ability to gain and maintain employment as they become self-sufficient.”

Family Promise of Northern New Castle County will use a $100,000 Home4Good grant from this round of funding to assist in the organization’s rapid re-housing efforts, and a second award of $50,000 for its homelessness diversion work.

“Family Promise is so appreciative of the Home4Good funding assistance,” said Executive Director Cheryl Christiansen. “This funding is instrumental to providing financial assistance for families, allowing them to quickly get into stable housing and minimizing the trauma that goes along with the experience of homelessness.”

YWCA Delaware also received two Home4Good grants in this latest round of funding. The first award of $100,000 will be used for rapid re-housing efforts in New Castle County, and the second award of $50,000 will assist the nonprofit organization in its homelessness diversion efforts in New Castle County and Kent County.

“Home4Good funding gives us more tools to prevent homelessness and to re-house families who do not need the intensity of support services provided through the shelter system,” said Chief Executive Officer Stephanie Staats. “YWCA Delaware appreciates its partnership with Home4Good and the ability it gives us to address the individual needs of families to ensure they are housed safely, quickly and with dignity.”

Information about Home4Good is available at www.fhlb-pgh.com and at www.destatehousing.com. Organizations interested in future participation in the program can contact Kate Swanson at katherine.swanson@fhlb-pgh.com or Jessica Eisenbrey at jessica@destatehousing.com for details.

The Home4Good funding recipients are:

WILMINGTON (January 28, 2019) – Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank Pittsburgh) announced today $1.2 million in Home4Good funding awarded to programs across the state working to reduce homelessness. DSHA provided $500,000 toward the effort, and FHLBank Pittsburgh provided $700,000.

The funding will be used to address four key areas: homelessness prevention, homelessness diversion, rapid re-housing and innovation. Thirteen programs from 10 organizations in the state received funding.

“We are privileged to partner with DSHA and our member institutions to provide these much-needed funds to programs working to end homelessness in Delaware,” said Winthrop Watson, FHLBank Pittsburgh’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  “This is part of a comprehensive initiative in which more than $7 million in Home4Good grants have been awarded to support 80 programs across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia.”

Home4Good was created by FHLBank Pittsburgh and is being administered by DSHA. The funding announced today is being distributed as grants to organizations that help individuals retain or find housing, provide supportive services to those facing homelessness or address other unmet needs within the existing homeless provider network.

“DSHA is pleased to be a part of this initiative to reduce homelessness in Delaware,” said DSHA director, Anas Ben Addi. “All of the organizations receiving funding through Home4Good are doing worthwhile work to address this important issue in our state, and we are proud to support their efforts.”

Lutheran Community Services, the host of Monday’s announcement event in Wilmington, received $115,000 in Home4Good funding for their work to prevent homelessness in New Castle County. The funding will be used to provide financial assistance to low-income Delawareans facing eviction and will help individuals and families pay utility bills, rent, mortgages, or security deposits.

“Sometimes a single payment is all that stands between a family staying in their home and being homeless,” said Rob Gurnee, executive director of Lutheran Community Services. “We are thankful for the funding under this program to help prevent homelessness for those who are most vulnerable.”

U.S. Senator Tom Carper added, “The work being done by DSHA, FHLBank Pittsburgh and the many Delaware financial institutions and service organizations involved in the Home4Good program is a testament to the power of partnership in focusing energy and resources toward a common good.”

Governor John Carney praised the organizations receiving Home4Good funding for their work to help individuals and families find and retain housing in Delaware. “I commend these organizations for their commitment to addressing this important issue in our state with programs that are effective and innovative. The funding announced today will go a long way to benefit Delawareans who are facing homelessness.”

Senator Carper and Governor Carney were joined by Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester at today’s event announcing the Home4Good funding awards.

Information about Home4Good is available at www.fhlb-pgh.com and at www.destatehousing.com. Organizations interested in future participation in the program can contact Kate Swanson at kate.swanson@fhlb-pgh.com or Jessica Eisenbrey at jessica@destatehousing.com for details.

The Home4Good funding recipients are:

About FHLBank Pittsburgh

FHLBank Pittsburgh is a congressionally chartered cooperative of local financial institutions operating across Delaware, Pennsylvania and West Virginia. The Bank uses private money, not taxpayer funds, to ensure the flow of credit and services to local lenders and assists them in serving the affordable housing and community and economic development needs of the communities in which they operate. Each year, FHLBank sets aside 10 percent of its net income for Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants, which are awarded to project sponsors on a competitive basis. FHLBank Pittsburgh launched the Home4Good program in 2018 as a voluntary initiative to supplement AHP and provide funds to meet the needs of an at-risk segment of the population.  To learn more, visit www.fhlb-pgh.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 is 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 the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call (302) 739-4263 or visit DEStateHousing.com.

Contact: Jessica Eisenbrey, DSHA Public Relations, 302-739-0271

Dover, Delaware-January 2019 – Help us give a child that is homeless or in foster care a warm hug! Cold weather is still in the forecast and everyone deserves to stay warm. Who doesn’t like getting a hug or knowing that someone cares?

The GACEC and its community Partners are doing just that for the children of Delaware who are homeless or in foster care. This year we have been privileged to partner with many organizations and individuals who have given generously. For the fifth year Operation Warm has donated cases of coats totaling around 800 to the cause. I Heart Media had also been an invaluable partner, helping raise awareness of the need and bringing in many more drop off locations throughout the state. We are grateful to once again have received generous donations of hundreds of handmade blankets from Kozy Kovers for Kids and Fleece for Keeps.

Wendy Strauss, Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens, shared “It’s hard for children to learn when their basic needs aren’t even met. We want to ensure that they have the opportunity to stay warm and feel loved regardless of their situation. It is always so heartwarming knowing that Delaware residents always come through and give so generously to those in need. We truly are connecting hearts and collecting hugs for those in need.”

Donations of socks, sweatshirts and sweatpants, warm pajamas and toiletry items are still greatly needed. These items are in short supply for this year’s drive. If you can help please consider donating today.
Drop-off points are located throughout the state and may be found on the homepage of the GACEC at http://gacec.delaware.gov. Contact the GACEC at (302) 739-4553 or Sybil Brown, GACEC Administrative Coordinator Sybil.brown@gacec.k12.de.us for additional information.

New Castle, DE – Today in New Castle, Governor Markell joined other officials and partners for a meeting of the state working group on the Delaware Challenge to End Veteran Homelessness where they announced several new efforts in the statewide effort to end veteran homelessness.  These initiatives build on progress so far that has resulted in housing for 140 homeless veterans since January.

New Initiatives to end Veterans homelessness in Delaware:

100-day Statewide Challenge:  The state is launching a statewide 100-day challenge to permanently house 96 homeless Veterans, starting October 23 and ending with the annual Point in Time study in late January 2016. The Point in Time study is the process by which Veteran homelessness is measured nationally each year.  The goal is to build momentum and focus statewide energy in the final months of the effort to end Veteran homelessness in Delaware.

Veterans Count Outreach Event (November 10-12, 2015): A key part of ending Veteran homelessness is demonstrating that all homeless Veterans have been identified, including those not actively seeking assistance.  Veterans Count Delaware is a state-wide outreach effort that will take place during a 3-day period, including November 11, Veterans Day. Volunteers are needed to help with this initiative.

Landlord Recruitment: Landlords interested in renting to Veterans, especially landlords who are willing to be flexible on credit, criminal background, and similar requirements to help Veterans who are turning their lives around, are needed. Concerted landlord outreach efforts, including new Public Service Announcements (PSAs) with a call for landlords to participate, and awards for organizations and landlords permanently housing the most homeless Veterans.

Last year, HUD, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National League of Cities called on mayors across the country to make a commitment to end Veteran homelessness in their cities in 2015. On any given night, 100 Veterans in Delaware are homeless.

After announcing his intent to end homelessness among Veterans in Delaware within a year in his State of the State Address, in May 2015, Governor Markell unveiled the State’s plan to achieve this goal and signed on to the national Challenge.

The plan called for actions including: identifying Veterans who are currently homeless or at a high risk of homelessness; improving connections and coordination between Veteran-specific and mainstream resources; and long-term changes to ensure that Veterans who may face homelessness in the future are connected to the resources they need quickly and effectively. The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) also created 20 rental assistance vouchers dedicated to Veterans through the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP), which provides integrated community housing with supportive services.

A state working group brings together key state and federal partners and representatives from local committees on a monthly basis to steer and monitor progress on the statewide effort. All three counties in Delaware, the cities of Wilmington, Newark, Dover, Seaford, Georgetown, Bridgeville, Greenwood, and Blades have also signed on. Local groups are working in all three counties on direct outreach and community mobilization. On any given night, 100 Veterans in Delaware are homeless. Together, 140 Veterans have been permanently housed as of September 2015.

Governor Jack Markell stated, “I am proud of Delaware’s progress towards ending Veteran homelessness.  We committed to the challenge, developed a plan, built the partnerships, and are off and running just since earlier this year. Together, we have housed 140 homeless Veterans since January 2015. There is more to be done to finish the job, and we’ve set a goal to help 96 more Veterans over the next 100 days. Like the entire Challenge, this is an ambitious target, but the goal is a critical one, and worthy of pushing our expectations of what we can achieve.”

DSHA Director Anas Ben Addi stated, “Delaware is one of only eight states who have risen to this Challenge. Like other communities, we intend to change the misperception that veteran homelessness is a problem that cannot be solved. To reach our goal, we need to be sure we have reached every homeless Veteran, and we need landlords willing to be a part of the team helping homeless Veterans. Supportive services and rental assistance from community providers help Veterans get back on their feet, but difficulty locating and being approved for rental housing is often a primary barrier.”

Landlords! Help us help our Vets! (video PSA below)

Governor Jack Markell

Senator Tom Carper

###

Photos from the event

Dover, DE – Following through on a charge announced during his State of the State Address in January, Governor Markell today unveiled plans to end veterans’ homelessness in Delaware. Joined by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Jane Vincent, Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi, Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) Secretary Rita Landgraf, among others, the Governor signed on to a challenge to end veteran homelessness, and addressed the state’s effort to find homes for all homeless veterans in Delaware by the end of 2015. DSHA and DHSS were tasked with developing the plan, which was presented during today’s event at American Legion Post 2. On any given night, 100 veterans in Delaware are homeless.

“Given our obligations to our Veterans, nothing should disturb us more than the continued high rate of homelessness among former service members,” said Governor Markell. “An estimated 280 Veterans will experience homelessness in Delaware over the course of 2015. With focused effort, along with collaboration between federal, state and local partners and the community, Delaware can and will be a state where no veteran is homeless.”

Last year, HUD, the U.S. Interagency Council on Homelessness, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, and the National League of Cities called on mayors across the country to make a commitment to end Veteran homelessness in their cities in 2015. Today, Governor Markell officially announced the Delaware would join that effort statewide.

“Too many Americans who’ve answered the call of duty struggle to readjust to life after military service,” said HUD Regional Administrator Vincent. “This announcement represents an important step in fulfilling a sacred commitment—ensuring that all Veterans have a home in the very nation they served to protect.”

A working group including state and federal agencies, nonprofit providers, and Veterans service agencies has developed a plan to address Delaware’s homeless Veterans. The report, released today, details actions including: identifying Veterans who are currently homeless or at a high risk of homelessness; improving connections and coordination between Veteran-specific and mainstream resources for homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing; and, creating 20 rental assistance vouchers dedicated to Veterans through the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP), which provides integrated community housing with supportive services.

“Every Veteran should have the opportunity and support to live a full, healthy life in our state,” said Director Ben Addi. “In this plan, we identify strategies to both house Veterans who are homeless in Delaware now, and to ensure that Veterans who may face homelessness in the future are connected to the resources they need quickly and effectively.”

“While working with the Housing Authority to identify Veterans in need and to provide them with homes, we also are prepared to offer wrap-around social services to these men and women who have served our country,” said Secretary Landgraf. “For Veterans in need, a home is the foundation that will help to re-establish them in the community. The social services that DHSS can connect these Veterans to will provide further stability.”

Today’s announcement featured the story of Gary Dawkins, an Honorably Discharged Veteran who served seven years in the United States Army and became homeless Due to the economy and an unstable employment history. Dawkins found shelter at the Home of the Brave (HOB), became a model resident and assisted other residents with their health and spiritual well-being. He also went to school through the Department of Labor WIA program to get his CDL Truck Endorsement License and became temporarily employed at the Milford Modern Maturity Center through the First State Community Action Senior Employment Program. After being at the HOB for approximately 20 months, Dawkins eventually became eligible for housing through the DSHA Public Housing program for seniors.

“My story is a prime example of how many resources coming together can bring a veteran from homelessness to stable housing,” said Dawkins. “I am glad to see Delaware committing to this challenge and to housing Veterans who are homeless.”

The Plan to End Veteran Homelessness in 2015 is available online.

###