Tharros village deserves support 

Gov. Matt Meyer recently said housing is a human right. 

To that end, ensuring every person has a safe place to sleep is a pressing matter in Sussex County. It’s an issue currently before county officials in the form of a conditional-use application from Code Purple at the Cape to build a 28-tent encampment at the former site of Delaware State Police Troop 7 along Route 1 outside Lewes. 

Tharros is a lifeline for many people who’ve been forced – either by their own doing or circumstances out of their control – to live in their cars, on friends’ couches or in tents in the woods. This structured, self-governed tent community offers dignity and safety to those experiencing homelessness. Supported by 300 volunteers and strict rules, Tharros isn't just a place to stay; it’s a place to start over.

At a time when homelessness in Delaware has risen 16% over the past year – with more than 1,500 people currently unhoused, including hundreds of children – projects like Tharros are helpful and essential.

The strong show of support from Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission members April 16 is encouraging. Their thoughtful approach reflects a growing recognition that structured encampments like Tharros and the Georgetown Pallet Village are far better alternatives than ad hoc tent cities behind shopping centers.

Tharros represents a model that can be replicated across Delaware. These programs prove that, when given structure, respect and community support, people experiencing homelessness can stabilize and move forward.

That’s why Gov. Matt Meyer’s new executive order, launching the Delaware Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness, is timely. With a goal to cut homelessness in half by 2030 – and end youth homelessness in five years – this initiative lays the groundwork for coordinated, effective action. 

Sussex officials should not delay; they should support Tharros and similar programs across the county. A compassionate, organized effort can give every resident a fair shot at a stable home and a second chance at life.