Local organizations eye federal funds for affordable housing programs

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Tuesday, the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $36 million to help with expanding resources for local housing organizations.

“When federal funds like this come out, it typically goes to our national organization. Then we compete locally to have those funds used in our local jurisdictions,” said Executive Director of Habitat For Humanity of Sussex County Kevin Gilmore.

Gilmore says Habitat for Humanity of Sussex County would use it to help expand their workforce and volunteer recruitment efforts. He adds the money could help get more hands on deck.

“We’ve used some of these funds in the past for positions like volunteer manager position – things that have a direct impact on our effort to help more people, build more houses, and provide more services,” said Gilmore.

That extra money means being able to serve more people who are struggling with affordable housing, according to Gilmore. It’s an issue that’s only been highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Certainly, housing insecurity has been here for a long time, but I think the COVID-19 pandemic has drawn a spotlight on it, as we sheltered at home and spent a lot more time at home. We realized that not everybody has a safe place. So, our work has just become a lot more public, I think,”  said Gilmore.

Habitat For Humanity of Sussex County also relies on local support. This past year alone, Gilmore says they’ve served 150 people with housing and hundreds with repairs.

“Federal assistance, while very helpful, is really not the mainstay of how we fund the operation locally. We depend heavily on local support from individuals, churches, and organizations. That’s really the fabric of how Habitat operates,” he said.

For more information on how you can support Habitat For Humanity of Sussex County, click here.