- Affordable housing isn’t Delaware‘s only housing crisis. Housing stakeholders are addressing how to keep people in their homes through home repairs.
- Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County Discusses Its Aging in Place Program to Help Seniors with Home Repairs
- DSHA Introduces Four Programs to Help Home Buyers
Joyce “JT” Tabb lived in her apartment for 26 years, but in Delaware’s booming housing market, the rent continued to rise. Faced with the daunting prospect of a monthly payment of $2,000, the 78-year-old decided to invest in a house. Living on a fixed income, he knew his budget would limit his options.
However, Tabb had his preferences and made sure to tell his real estate agent about the areas where he didn’t want to live. “I said I’m not going to go to a trailer park. I’m not going to live with a family member or a friend. I’m not going to go to the neighborhood,” the retiree recalled.
At first, Tabb was skeptical when her agent took her to a townhouse on Wilmington’s east side. However, upon entering, she immediately felt at home and bought the house. Tabb knew the house needed some work and she thought the seller would make important safety repairs she had requested, but they were left unfinished. Looking for help, Tabb reached out to Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County.
The organization quickly addressed and repaired serious home safety issues, particularly those that could impact seniors. They removed the worn carpet from the stairs, secured the railing on the outside steps, repaired the roof and installed new windows.
The renovations were part of its Aging in Place program, which aims to help low- to moderate-income households led by homeowners ages 60 and older maintain ownership of their homes. By addressing substandard housing and completing necessary repairs to ensure families remain “safe, warm and dry,” the program also aims to reduce health care costs and housing insecurity.
Delaware’s Lesser-Known Real Estate Crisis
At a news conference outside Tabb’s recently repaired townhouse on Wednesday, Kevin L. Smith, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, was joined by public officials and affordable housing stakeholders to draw attention to the thousands of Delaware homes that need improvements. critical repairs. They also introduced financing programs available for new owners to make necessary repairs.
According to Smith, the repairs needed at Tabb’s new home highlighted Delaware’s other major housing crisis. “You might be surprised to know that we also have a crisis trying to maintain the homeownership that we have,” she said.
Smith said 25,000 low- and moderate-income households in Delaware need home repairs and about 5,000 of them require “substantial” work, according to a University of Delaware study commissioned by the three Habitat for Humanity organizations in each county. The estimated cost to address these repair needs would be $95 million.
Smith announced that New Castle County Habitat for Humanity’s partnerships with several state departments, the city of Wilmington, ChristianaCare and the Delaware State Housing Authority will allow more seniors to remain in their homes and provide buyers with the financing necessary to renovate existing homes.
Financial assistance for home buyers.
Representatives from the Delaware State Housing Authority were also present to announce financing programs for homebuyers. The department’s Kiss Your Landlord Goodbye program options for homebuyers in Delaware include forgivable loans to purchase a home, a below-market rate loan for first-time homebuyers, and special loans for active military and veterans, first responders, as well as for state, schools and hospitals. employees:
home Sweet Home:
- Forgivable loan after 10 years of occupancy of the home as a primary residence
- Up to $12,000 for down payment and closing costs
- Funding is limited
diamond in the rough:
- Combines the cost of purchasing the home and minor renovations into a single mortgage, allowing buyers to purchase and then make repairs after closing.
- $10,000 down payment assistance available if eligible
- Minimum credit score of 620
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Delaware Diamonds for state employees, military personnel and hospital employees:
- Forgivable loan after 10 years of occupancy of the home as a primary residence
- You must be actively employed for at least 6 months at the time of application by one of these employers: You must be a first responder; active military and veterans; state employee; public or private school employee; or employee of Bayhealth, Beebe, Nemours, St. Francis, VA Hospital or Christiana Care
- Funding is limited
Welcome home program For first time home buyers:
- Not having owned a home in the previous three years.
- Financing rates as low as 5.5%
Reporter Anitra Johnson can be reached at ajohnson@delawareonline.com.
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