Vouchers awarded to Willows at Northstar

Willows at Northstar, an affordable housing area of 94 units on 8 acres along Route 9, has been approved for 25 project-based vouchers through the Delaware State Housing Authority.

Willows is a small part of the proposed massive Northstar development west of Lewes. The project, which gained preliminary approval from the Sussex County Planning & Zoning Commission earlier this month, contains 852 housing units on a 380-acre parcel between Route 9 and Beaver Dam Road west of Five points. The project also includes 12 acres of commercial property, also along Route 9.

The vouchers are awarded by DSHA and are now available through partnerships with new and existing housing developers.

About the vouchers

The vouchers, which allow rental assistance to be attached to a specific unit or project instead of an eligible assisted family, are funded using $2.8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The voucher program is designed to promote the preservation and expansion of the supply of affordable units in Delaware, with a strong emphasis on sites that:

• Are in Kent and Sussex counties where affordable housing is greatly needed according to the 2023 Delaware Housing Needs Assessment
• Encourage veteran housing with the integration of supportive services
• Provide leverage and build on housing and/or other investments made or planned
• Incorporate energy conservation, sustainability and excellence in design
• Address equity and serve traditionally underserved communities
• Encourage additional accessibility in non-elderly and non-disabled buildings.

The applications

Two of the four applications for the project – zoning and multifamily conditional-use applications – will need approval by Sussex County Council. Developers of Northstar include Delaware Farm LLC and RCTDE LLC.

The mixed-use community includes a 758-single-family home subdivision, which has been approved by planning & zoning, 96,000 square feet of commercial and the affordable housing component.

"Solving the housing crisis in Delaware will require innovative housing solutions and increased investment in what we know works," said Cynthia Karnai, DSHA director. "This PBV initiative combines these priorities to expand access to healthy, thriving neighborhoods throughout the state. I commend our housing developer partners for their dedication to ensuring affordability and look forward to these vouchers supporting Delaware families." 

In total, nine projects comprising 210 units received vouchers. 

To learn more about DSHA’s HCV program or to become an HCV landlord, please visit destatehousing.com/find/subsidized-rental-programs.