Grant funding helps to breathe new life into Harrington housing

HARRINGTON, Del. – Harrington will soon see newly renovated living spaces, aimed at providing not just a house; but a home. In addition to that, a program serving some of the most vulnerable Delawareans, is getting a big boost.

New Life at Diamond Court

FHL Bank Pittsburgh is providing $750,000 in grant funding to breathe new life into Diamond Court Apartments. The project will see substantial renovation and rehabilitation of the 34-unit complex, built in 1986.

“This whole concept is talking about growth; what are we doing, not just as individuals, but what are we doing collectively, as a neighborhood, as a community, as a city,” remarked Harrington Mayor Duane Bivans. “It says a lot about where we are and where we’re going, and who we’re trying to help.”

Improving Amenities

Existing structures at the complex will be gutted, and rehabbed with green technology and updated amenities. The project is being built out by Green Street Housing, LLC, and follows the National Green Building Standard certification program.

“For a lot of Americans, their home is the means to build wealth, and have that generational wealth get passed on,” said Delaware State Housing Authority director, Cynthia Karnai. “Housing can be the keystone to so many community and family solutions.”

Supporting Lifelines South

Another $750,000 grant from FHL, and the Community Bank of Delaware, will support West End Neighborhood House’s Lifelines South program.

The development will serve youth experiencing homelessness, who often times are coming out of the foster care system, living with mental health disabilities, or are LGBTQ+ individuals.

Delaware as an Example

U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) was on hand Thursday to tour the Diamond Court Apartments, and hear about the Lifelines South program. She remarked that investments in safe, stable, and affordable housing lays the groundwork for prosperous communities.

Rep. Blunt Rochester added that these projects, in particular, could serve as an example of how to reimagine housing solutions, across the nation.

“What it does in terms of transforming communities, what it does for economic development and job creation, it is just a no-brainer,” said U.S. Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.), who toured the complex on Thursday. “So many people are struggling to afford housing, whether it’s rental or homeownership.”