Delaware Families Get a Boost for Their Roost

The Delaware Community Development Block Grant Program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development will soon be reviewing applications from low-income homeowners who have problems with their aging homes. Residents in Milton Delaware will soon be able to apply for assistance to repair roofs, poorly insulated windows, aging porches, and other home problems.

The Delaware State Housing Authority oversees the federal program which provides money to residents who are retired and on fixed incomes that do not have the financial resources to repair their homes. The aim of the program is to keep homes livable and to prevent the decline of housing values. Although rental properties do not qualify, manufactured homes do as well as single family dwellings. Delaware received $2 million last year and the state is expected to receive the same funds this year and should help about 100 homeowners in Kent and Sussex Counties.

Assistant Director of the county's Community Development and Housing Division, Brad Whaley, said there are 21 families on the waiting list in Milton alone. All applications are collected and in April the grants are awarded. Another reason Delaware is the First State!