U.S. Senator Carper visits a growing community, announces funding, addressing housing crisis
LAUREL, Del. – U.S. Senator Tom Carper stopped by downtown Laurel Monday morning to announce a half-million dollars in funding to Sussex County Habitat for Humanity (SCHH) which will produce at least 10 affordable homes throughout the county. While this not only helps to build houses, we’re told it also addresses the housing crisis. “Affordable housing has been a critical issue for many years and it’s just very encouraging to see our federal government and a lot of our local governments and just a lot of people throughout the area who are saying this is important and we want to invest in it,” says CEO of SCHH, Kevin Gilmore.
The funds will help build and revitalize the ‘Hope Hill’ neighborhood in downtown Laurel which Senator Carper stopped by to tour and even helped out himself. “This is a great opportunity for us to help people have a roof over their heads in some cases, people that are homeless or are living in a place that none of us would want to live,” says Sen. Carper. He adds, “Somebody had a great vision a couple of years ago and that vision is on its way to being realized. To be able to bring down their housing cost every month and have just a stronger, stronger family, it’s a great thing.”
Gilmore says these houses are energy efficient on top of being cost-efficient. Which he tells us can make a major difference, especially for low-income communities. “So the more people that can have a place that’s decent and a place that they can afford is only going to help us all,” says Gilmore.
With currently 10 homes complete in this neighborhood, and 10 under construction, the manpower to get it done is the next step. “We can’t do this in silence so the more that people are aware of the need for affordable housing, the more people we can get involved,” says Gilmore.
While officials say this is only a small part of the puzzle, they’re just excited to have the support of the senator and the government.
That $500,000 in funding is part of a nearly $100 million Appropriations Bill supporting communities and projects throughout the state. Hope Hill is part of a larger neighborhood revitalization strategy that includes 20 homes.
Gilmore also tells 47 ABC, SC Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers especially to help out with these projects. Sen. Carper says he’s excited to see people contributing. “You’d be surprised how many people say the things that give them joy in life is helping other people.” Sen. Carper adds, “If you can hammer a nail, you can do a little painting, you can work on a project like this and get a lot of satisfaction from it.”
You can visit the Habitat for Humanity website to learn how to help out.
