Local organizations continue revitalizing downtown Laurel

LAUREL, Del. – On Tuesday, while many continued to clean-up and heal from Monday’s devastating tornado, the town of Laurel unveiled a project that spotlights how resilient they can be.

A major revitalization effort is moving forward thanks to a $500,000 grant from the Delaware State Housing Authority.

Oak Street in downtown Laurel has been at the center of a massive revitalization project for the past two years. Sussex County Habitat for Humanity has already rehabbed three homes and another is next on the list, but believe it or not that is just the beginning.

“We started by acquiring a few properties and its just blossomed from there,” explains Kevin Gilmore, Sussex County Habitat Executive Director.

For the past couple years Sussex County habitat for humanity has been rehabbing homes here in Old Town Laurel and now the Milford Housing Development Corporation is stepping in to help by transforming empty lots into four new homes.

Gilmore says, “It’s really going to transform the neighborhood to have the new homes they’re building in partnership with the rehabs that Habitat’s doing in this area and it’s really the coming together of the community to improve the area.”

It’s bringing excitement and much needed affordable housing to the area. Something soon to be old town homeowner Ashley Scye has been waiting for.

“With a town like this, everything happens in town the parades the fireworks all the activities the school events so it’s so nice to be so centrally located where we can walk everywhere. We’re even saving the planet just walking everywhere.”

Projects that are beautifying the town and helping locals become homeowners.

Laurel Mayor John Shwed says, “This is the start of a rebirth a renewal so it’s exciting and it’s a great thing for families that need affordable housing.”