Thousands have benefited from repairs, emergency work over the years
Ron MacArthur February 26, 2021
BEFORE: This home in Delmar was in great need of repairs and qualified for the county’s assistance program. SUSSEX COUNTY PHOTOS
The importance of the work done by the Sussex County Community Development and Housing Department to preserve housing can t be overstated.
Using millions of dollars through the federal Community Development Block Grant program, the department has been able to to make housing repairs to keep thousands of low- to moderate-income county residents in their homes.
Director Brad Whaley provided an update on the program during a public hearing at the Feb. 2 Sussex County Council meeting.
DSHA seeking applicants for Community Block Grants
On Monday, December 14, Milford City Council heard a presentation from Brad Whaley, Director of the Community Block Grant Program in Sussex County and Michael Miles, Supervisor of the same program in Kent County, explaining how the program benefits low- to moderate-income property owners. The program is funded by the Delaware State Housing Authority.
“This is HUD funding designed to assist low to moderate income residents with housing issues,” Whaley said. “We primarily use that for housing rehabilitation projects, small infrastructure, demolition, sewer and water hookups. In order to qualify, a household must be at 80 percent of the median income. For a one-person household in Sussex County, this means an annual income of no more than $42,000. The annual income rises by about $6,000 for each additional person who lives in the home. The funding is designed to keep housing stable and we complete a lot of repairs on roofs, door
Frankford residents who may benefit from a housing rehabilitation program are being encouraged to apply for Community Development Block Grant funding through Sussex County.
Brad Whaley of the Sussex County Community Development Office, during a Dec. 7 presentation to the Frankford Town Council, said the funding, which comes to the county program through federal Housing & Urban Development funding that is allotted to the Delaware State Housing Authority.
Most of the work approved in Frankford for CDBG funding is for small home-improvement projects, such as furnace repairs, access ramps and the like.
In order to qualify for funding through CDBG, projects must serve households below 80 percent of the median income, Whaley said. Income guidelines for qualification for CDBG funding are:
State funding for home repairs available to some Milford residents - Delaware State News delawarestatenews.net - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from delawarestatenews.net Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.