Approximately $50 million in funding for affordable housing and housing development initiatives to strengthen communities throughout Delaware.

DSHA will use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to develop a multitiered approach to address the affordable housing crisis across the state. DSHA will create the following programs as part of this initiative, and will administer the programs through 2026:

• Catalyst Fund (Expected launch: Summer 2022) ? Creating and preserving affordable homeownership opportunities through the acquisition and rehabilitation of vacant homes in Delaware?s neighborhoods. These funds will be administered in partnership with Cinnaire, a certified Community Development Financial Institution that offers lending options for community development construction.
• Cinnaire will offer construction lending by leveraging ARPA funds to incentivize for-profit and nonprofit developers to purchase, renovate, or replace vacant and blighted properties. The for-profit or nonprofit developer will receive ARPA funding as part of their construction project financing so that the cost of the new or rehabilitated home remains affordable to low-income residents.
• Market Pressure Relief Fund (Expected launch: Summer 2022) ? Relieving economic cost pressures on Delaware?s affordable housing
  development community. This will provide additional financing to owners of affordable multifamily rental projects currently under construction that have faced construction cost increases due to supply chain disruptions and inflation to ensure these projects are completed.
• Accelerator Fund (Expected launch: Fall 2022) ? Leveraging once-in-a generation funding available to unlock Delaware?s development potential. The Accelerator Fund will provide an incentive to market-rate rental developers with planned construction projects to provide affordable rental units in their new or renovated properties. The developer will receive an upfront payment from DSHA, funded by ARPA, which will offset construction costs. As part of the funding agreement, the developer will commit to an affordable monthly rent for a specified number of units in a project that would otherwise be exclusively market-rate. This new program will also provide additional funds for traditional affordable rental developers that qualify for the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit.
• Preservation Fund (Expected launch: Spring 2023) ? Ensuring enduring affordability in Delaware?s existing affordable housing stock. These funds will offer financial incentives to ensure nearly 1,000 existing affordable rental units eligible to convert to market rate instead remain in the affordable rental inventory.DSHA and its partners will host public meetings to gather feedback from the community and stakeholders before launching these new programs.

The first meeting will focus on the Catalyst Fund and will take place the week of July 25. The purpose of the meetings is to ensure that the programs are designed to best meet the goal of increasing the availability of affordable housing in Delaware.

More information, including upcoming meeting dates and program details, will be posted on destatehousing.com »

DSHA announced last week the launch of the Delaware Mortgage Relief Program, which can provide up to $40,000 in financial assistance to eligible households who experienced a COVID-19-related financial hardship that resulted in mortgage delinquency or forbearance. This program is supported by the federal Homeowners Assistance Fund, which was created under ARPA and distributed to states to provide relief for homeowners. Delaware received $50 million. Homeowners can apply for the program at demortgagehelp.com

“DSHA is committed to stewarding these funds efficiently and transparently. With these historic investments, our state is firmly positioned to meet the critical needs of Delawareans across the state.” – DSHA Director Eugene Young, Jr.

“We are using ARPA funds to make sure these affordable housing construction projects get through the finish line, support more Delawareans in becoming homeowners, and revitalize communities that were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.” – Governor John Carney

“Access to affordable housing is vital to a person?s health and well-being. This ARPA investment will expand access to affordable housing options in communities that need it most, and make Delaware a stronger, healthier, more equitable state.?”– Lt. Governor Bethany Hall-Long

“The lack of housing options for working Delawareans has pushed homeowners and renters to pay more than their fair share to find a decent place to live, and Governor Carney?s embrace of this federal money will create much needed housing all across our state that stays within the budgets of working Delawareans.” – U.S. Senator Chris Coons

“When Senator Coons, Congresswoman Blunt Rochester and I were crafting the American Rescue Plan, this is just the kind of program we had in mind to help folks in need and strengthen our communities across the state.” – U.S. Senator Tom Carper

“We know that one of the most pressing needs in our state throughout the pandemic and during our recovery is the need for affordable housing. I commend Governor Carney and the State for deploying these resources as part of our mission to ensure that every Delawarean has access to safe and affordable housing.” – U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester

Roofs from the Heart Charitable Fund and The Energy Equity Fund Announce combined efforts to bring Low-Moderate Income Families Roofs and Energy Efficiency Updates

Roofs from the Heart is an important part of G. Fedale Roofing & Siding’s identity as a family-owned company. It all started when Glenn Fedale Jr. used his knowledge, skills, and faith to begin a small business based on family values and strong vibrant communities, and it has grown to become one of the most recognizable brands in home remodeling in Delaware. To celebrate the thousands of satisfied customers the company has served, Glenn and his brothers started The Roofs from Heart campaign several years ago as a roof giveaway program to help those in need and give back to the community.

To build upon this successful roof-giveaway program,Roofs from the Heart formed a charitable fund with the Delaware Community Foundation. G. Fedale Roofing is dedicated to funding this charitable fund and working with the broader philanthropic community to bring roof home improvement to those in need. “It is our hope to expand the scope of our work to not only support homes that needs roofs, but work to make homes in communities more energy efficient as well”, says Adam Fedale. This broadened effort led to a partnership between Energize Delaware-Energy Equity Fund also a Delaware Community Foundation Fund. The Empowerment Grant, powered by the Energy Equity Fundand Roofs from the Heart Charitable Fund combine efforts to bring new roofs and other weatherization opportunities to many homeowners facing obstacles to creating a healthy, safe and energy efficient Caution-home.

It is the Empowerment Grant vision to implement impactful and innovative energy equity projects in underserved communities that include direct investment, community outreach, education, and engagement.Low- and moderate-income communities have been historically underserved. The Empowerment Grant is focused on expanding the inclusion and participation of low- and moderate-income communities in the clean energy movement.

According to Jim Purcell, Director of Development for the Empowerment Grant, “we are working to show how targeted investment and alignment with our local communities can achieve equity as we transition to clean, more efficient and renewable energy for underserved Delaware communities.”

Roofs from the Heart, Resilient Homes Grantis focused on providing repairs or a new roof installation for single-family dwellings owned by individuals in the state of Delaware. In addition to repair or replacement of the roof other energy efficiency services will be provided based on a comprehensive energy audit of the home. Home residents and sponsors are welcomed to submit nominations to the Roofs from the Heart Resilient Homes Giveaway  Nominations will then be asked to complete a short application detailing the need. The Roofs from The Heart and Empowerment Grant team will then select one of the nominations for up to $20,000 worth of roofing and energy efficient upgrades for the home. There will be three campaigns in 2022, with more opportunities to come in 2023 and beyond.

Additional program details, including program qualifications, requirements and how to submit current proposals can be found on the website. A Facebook page – @EmpowerGrantDE; and a Twitter account – @EmpowerGrantDE; are also available for public interaction and information.

About Energize Delaware

Energize Delaware is a unique non-profit that helps Delawareans save money through clean energy and energy efficiency. Our myriad programs provide energy education and financial incentives to Delaware homeowners, businesses, non-profits, state agencies, farms, houses of worship, local government and schools. Find a program to fit your needs.

About Roofs from the Heart

Our amazing team of regulars and part-time volunteers are committed to helping others. Seeing a need to provide help in our community in providing roofs the Roofs from the Heart Charitable Fund was formed at the Delaware Community Foundation. We focus on home, family, health, safety and security in our communities.

Contact: Jim Purcell
Director of Development
Empowerment Grant
jim.purcell@empowergrantde.org
302-724-7033

Glenn Fedale
Director of Development
Roofs from the Heart
glenn.sr@roofsfromtheheart.org
302-287-0239

Delaware National Guard and Reserve Emergency Relief Assistance Fund (DNGREAF) provides financial Grants to eligible members of the National Guard or Reserves whose units are based within the State of Delaware. Eligible members may apply for a Grant to alleviate serious financial hardship.

Situations that may be alleviated include, but are not limited to, payments to avoid eviction or foreclosure, utilities to prevent disconnection, vehicle payments to prevent repossession, temporary pay problems, illness, injury, recent loss of employment, natural disaster or destruction of property by fire, water or other man-made destruction.

Applications are reviewed at the regular DNGREAF Board meeting on the 4th Thursday of every month. For consideration at the monthly meeting, Applications with proper Supporting Documents must be received by the DNGREAF Board President, no later than 1500 hours on the Monday prior to the meeting.

To request assistance in completing the application process, contact the DNGREAF Board President (Ms. Kubik contact below), or:

302-326-7788 > Delaware National Guard
302-677-3120 > Dover Air Force Base

CHRISTINE F. KUBIK
DELAWARE NATIONAL GUARD
DIRECTOR, JOINT SUPPORT & OUTREACH SVCS (J9)
? DESK 302.326.7582
? CELL 302.540.0711
? christine.f.kubik.nfg@army.mil

Disclaimer: VA cannot provide legal advice and/or resolve legal issues. VA is just the host of these clinics; these clinics are facilitated by volunteer attorneys and not VA employees.

The Commission administers the “Delaware Veterans Trust Fund” which provides financial assistance or grants to veterans with a minimum discharge of general discharge under honorable conditions to cover costs associated with medical and dental needs; medical transportation; homelessness support; home repairs and safety modifications; household utilities; and educational or retraining programs.

The Trust Fund is administered by the Delaware Commission of Veterans Affairs to assist veterans in financial emergencies.

Applicants must submit their DD214 – and demonstrate that:

• There is an EMERGENCY financial need.
• There are no other programs or agencies that can assist in this financial emergency.
• The funds will assist the veteran recover from the financial emergency; the veteran will sustain themselves independently; or through assistance from other support /benefits programs

Application is below. Veterans who need assistance completing the Veteran Trust Fund Application may contact your local Veterans Service Officer (VSO).

New Castle County – VSO: (302) 365-8231
Kent County – DCVA Main Office: (302) 739-2792
Sussex County – VSO: (302) 648-3068

Delaware National Guard and Reserve Emergency Relief Assistance Fund (DNGREAF) provides financial Grants to eligible members of the National Guard or Reserves whose units are based within the State of Delaware. Eligible members may apply for a Grant to alleviate serious financial hardship.

Situations that may be alleviated include, but are not limited to, payments to avoid eviction or foreclosure, utilities to prevent disconnection, vehicle payments to prevent repossession, temporary pay problems, illness, injury, recent loss of employment, natural disaster or destruction of property by fire, water or other man-made destruction.

Applications are reviewed at the regular DNGREAF Board meeting on the 4th Thursday of every month. For consideration at the monthly meeting, Applications with proper Supporting Documents must be received by the DNGREAF Board President, no later than 1500 hours on the Monday prior to the meeting.

See Application below.

To request assistance in completing the application process, contact any DE Soldier/Airmen & Family Readiness Office, to include:

302-326-7788 : Delaware National Guard
302-677-3120 : Dover Air Force Base

Help is here to pay your rent and Delmarva power bill.

If you have experienced loss of income due to the pandemic, we have good news. Financial assistance for your rent and Delmarva Power bill is now available to individuals who never imagined they could apply.

See flyer attached for full details.

More information about energy assistance programs »