Sussex approves new round of affordable housing funding

In the third disbursement of Sussex County Housing Trust Fund grants, four nonprofit housing organizations have been awarded $1.6 million, bringing the total to $6.1 million over the past three years.

At its June 4 meeting, Sussex County Council voted 5-0 to approve the recommendation.

The goal of the program is to provide funding for projects to build or preserve affordable housing units based on the county’s area median income, which is $58,800 for a one-person household and $84,000 for a four-person household.

In this round, 105 affordable units will be created or preserved, bringing the three-year total to more than 250 units.

Three organizations received $500,000 each and another $100,000.

Sussex County Habitat for Humanity received $500,000 for construction of 10 new home ownership units for households earning less than 65% AMI, with one unit for a household earning 50% less than AMI, in the Milton, Milford, Greenwood and Bridgeville areas.

Homes for America received $500,000 for preservation of 54 rental units in Elizabeth Cornish Landing in Bridgeville. Forty-five of the units will be affordable to households earning less than 50% AMI. The work includes handicap upgrades to the community. The applicant is seeking approval from the U.S. Department of Agriculture for a migrant worker set-aside program.

CHEER Inc. – Delaware Valley Development Corporation received $500,000 for Gateway East in Bridgeville for construction of 39 new rental units affordable to households earning less than 50% AMI with emphasis on senior residents.

Laurel Redevelopment Corporation received $100,000 for Promenade on Broad Creek, which includes two new duplexes for four households earning less than 65% AMI.

The county has also provided $2 million for homebuyer assistance funds.

Housing fund history

Established in 2022 to boost the county’s affordable housing stock, the fund was seeded with more than $6 million, much of that from the American Rescue Plan Act.

“Affordable housing is top of mind for everyone ... buyers and builders and employers and elected leaders,” said Brandy Nauman, director of the county’s Community Development & Housing Department. “The county’s continued investment aims to satisfy some of that need.”

Under the developer portion of the fund, groups applying for grants must build or rehabilitate housing units, either rentals or owner-occupied, and market them as affordable to individuals and households meeting income eligibility requirements.

For more information, go to sussexcountyde.gov/housing-trust-fund.