DELAWAREÂ - In Delaware, many families are finding it increasingly difficult to secure affordable and safe housing due to shortages in available properties, rising costs, and various systemic hurdles. However, a new legislative initiative led by Sen. Russell Huxtable may offer some much-needed relief. Introduced on Thursday, The Housing Agenda comprises a bipartisan package of seven bills aimed at mitigating the state's housing issues.
Evan Mock is a business owner who hires many J-1 students to help him run his store in Rehoboth Beach each summer. Mock says making affordable housing more available will not only help J-1 students but the entire community.
"The housing has been going up in this community and this county, and people want to move here but if they can't. If locals can't afford to live here, how will J-1 students afford to live here?" Mock asked.
The initiative seeks to promote both public and private sector investment in new housing, enhance state programs that aid families in maintaining their residences, and foster higher density residential developments in urban areas. Huxtable highlighted that Delaware's housing crisis encompasses a range of complex challenges, from zoning and taxation to economic development and infrastructure. He stressed the need for more affordable housing units to accommodate the state's families.
Martha Gery, who works with Milford Advocacy for the Homeless, says the increasing number of people without a roof over their heads is beyond upsetting.
"You go to bed crying many nights because you see people who are bus drivers, people who are working in the local stores here and people don't know that they're homeless," said Gery.
The Housing Agenda has garnered support from Housing Alliance Delaware, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing homelessness and affordable housing needs. Rachel Stucker, the executive director, praised the legislation for its potential to reduce regulatory barriers, support existing housing programs, and provide additional funding for affordable housing development.
KEY LEGISLATIVE COMPONENTS
Senate Bill 22: Introduces state incentives for workforce housing development, offering grants to qualified housing projects, particularly in high-density areas.
Senate Bill 23: Mandates local ordinances to allow at least one accessory dwelling unit per single-family home, increasing the housing supply.
Senate Bill 25: Aims to reduce the cost of new affordable housing by exempting certain units from the state’s 2% improvement tax.
Senate Bill 244: Enables counties to use lodging tax revenues for affordable housing programs.
Senate Bill 245: Extends key programs aimed at preventing foreclosure and providing mortgage mediation.
Senate Bill 246: Establishes a loan fund to support home repair programs for low-income families.
Senate Bill 247: Protects residents of manufactured housing communities from unjust rent increases.
These bills have multiple co-sponsors and a few of them will go before the Senate Housing and Land Use Committee on Wednesday, March 27.