housing

State gives $6 million to groups helping with housing

Staff WriterCulture, Headlines

Four Delaware nonprofits that focus on housing problems in Delaware will split $6 million of the state’s federal COVID-19 funding That includes: $350,000 to The Home of the Brave in Milford to renovate the facility to serve more homeless veterans and provide services to homeless veterans in Delaware including individual case management, mental health counseling, life skills training and educational services. …

Wilmington has been called the most affordable city in America. (City of Wilmington photo)

Wilmington called America’s most affordable city

Ken MammarellaCulture, Headlines

“Wilmington, Delaware, is the cheapest city to live in the U.S.,” some new number crunching has concluded. Scholaroo reached that conclusion in ranking 151 cities in eight qualities to come up with the Best Places to Live. Wilmington “has one of the lowest rent costs, and the city has no sales taxes,” the site continued. It does have an income …

Different statistics paint different pictures of the Delaware housing market. (Photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels)

How’s the Del. housing market? Depends on who you talk to

Ken MammarellaBusiness, Headlines

My uncle, a resident of Bethany Beach, liked to say that people who lived at the beach talked about three things: real estate, the weather and where to eat. Here are a few interesting numbers to spark a conversation about real estate: • The Lewes area is Delaware’s hottest market in terms of rising prices, according to the real estate …

Affordable Housing

2022 Rewind: Affordable housing crisis affects middle class, too

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

This story was originally published in April 2022. Evidence continues to pile up that Delaware is struggling to provide affordable housing: Data released in April by Housing Alliance Delaware says the state faces a shortage of more than 18,000 affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renters.  Also this April, Delaware State Housing Authority announced that eligible Delaware renters …

A bill that would allow tenants to stop paying rent when a landlord doesn't make critical repairs didn't make it out of committee Tuesday.

State resumes rent, utility assistance with new rules

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Just over a month after the Delaware State Housing Authority temporarily stopped accepting new applications for rental assistance, the program is back up and running, officials announced Wednesday. The Delaware Housing Assistance Program, or DEHAP, offers financial assistance to qualifying tenants who are at high risk of eviction.  The Housing Authority temporarily stopped accepting applications on Sept. 9 to modify …

Imani Village 10

Could these new homes break the cycle of poverty?

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Shortly after single mother of two Alison Mendez moved into northeast Wilmington’s Riverside neighborhood five years ago, there was a shooting right behind her home. “It scared me and my kids,” Mendez said. “But today, it’s changed.” She spoke before a crowd of some 300 community members, among them leaders in government, business, nonprofit, and philanthropy. They gathered in Riverside …

Rental

If you’re looking for a rental home, you already know this

Charlie MegginsonBusiness, Headlines

Delaware’s rental vacancy rate has fallen to the third lowest in the country, according to recently released U.S. Census Bureau data.  The vacancy rate indicates the percentage of year-round rental units that are unoccupied at the end of each quarter.  According to the Census Bureau, only 2.6% of Delaware’s year-round rental units were vacant at the end of June.  Only …

Affordable Housing

Delaware’s affordable housing crisis affects middle class, too

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Evidence continues to pile up that Delaware is struggling to provide affordable housing: Data released Thursday by Housing Alliance Delaware says the state faces a shortage of more than 18,000 affordable and available rental homes for extremely low-income renters.  Also Thursday, Delaware State Housing Authority announced that eligible Delaware renters can now receive up to 18 months of rental and …