Del. launches statewide emergency repairs program
When it comes to homes, major repairs do not come cheap; however, a new program could alleviate some of the costs for Delawareans.
The new Statewide Emergency Repair Program was launched Tuesday by the Delaware State Housing Authority ('DSHA') and will be administered through the Milford Housing Development Corporation.
Anas Ben Addi, director of DSHA, says the agency has granted 600,000 dollars to the Milford Housing Development Corporation. The funds will address emergency conditions that threaten the health or safety of qualifying Delaware homeowners. Some examples include broken plumbing, heating systems or accessibility issues.
"One thing that I want to emphasize is that even if they have the word 'Milford' in their name as an organization, their service is statewide. Emergency services statewide," says Addi. "They're setting up 800 numbers for people to call from north, far north of Delaware to all the way down Selbyville and Delmar."
At a press conference Tuesday, Delaware Governor John Carney said he believed the program was not a hand-out but rather a "hand up".
"No one should live in a home with broken plumbing or a leaking roof. We can help our families in need by making their homes safe and healthy, which also strengthens our communities," says Carney. "This is not a hand out, but a hand up by helping those in emergency situations. Public-private partnerships like this help leverage our resources to assist as many people as possible."
We're told there is an income requirement in order to be eligible. Qualified applicants also must own their home and have lived there for at least one year.
DSHA adds they initially received two proposals before selecting the Milford Housing Development Corporation; however, Ben Addi says Milford better served the needs and challenges of homeownership.
"Emergency rehab" as he called it, had already been funded through DSHA but officials say the system was "fragmented".
Ben Addi tells 47ABC constituents who live in certain jurisdictions claimed they did not have access to emergency rehab services, so the launch Milford would centralize statewide needs.
47ABC spoke to Millsboro resident Betty Zurman who says the Milford Housing Development Corporation helped her with a leaky roof, broken heater and flood damages well before the launch.
"It was only by a word of mouth, so I have passed it on and hope that Milford housing stays here and be of help to others," says Zurman.
Ben Addi admits 600,000 dollars is not enough money to solve every issue with homeownership; however, he says he hopes this new program will inspire other businesses and corporations to form partnerships with housing authorities across the state.
For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, please call 888-363-8808.
The Milford Housing Development Corporation can be reached at 302-422-8255.
