Local developers laud federal investment into affordable rural housing project

Laurel, Del. –  On Tuesday, Rep. Sarah McBride (D – Delaware) visited Laurel alongside community stakeholders, project engineers and real estate developers to visit a site that she helped secure $250,000 for a new sewer lift station for a multi-family affordable rural housing project.

McBride said she as well as other congressional members worked to secure federal funds to build the sewer lift station. She said that while development is necessary so that more residents in rural areas can access housing, it needs to be done with respect to existing infrastructure and residents in the area.

“We hear so often when Sen. Coons, Sen. Blunt, Rochester and I are in Sussex County that we need to bring down the cost of housing,” McBride said. “And yes, that is going to mean building more homes, but that we have to do it in a smart way, and we have to do it in a responsible way.”

Developers believe that this kind of housing is a step forward in tackling the housing crisis in Sussex County.

“Many of our workers in whatever field have to live far away from where they work, or they’re living in overcrowded conditions or really unsuitable conditions,” NighborGood Partners Vice President of Real Estate Development Patricia Kelleher said. “So, that’s why we decided to develop what we’re calling farm worker housing.”

The funding for the new sewer lift station has been secured but more is needed in order to actually break ground next year.

“We’re still waiting to find out whether the USDA Rural Development Funds have been awarded, and we will what we intend to do is apply for low income housing tax credits next year, when they are released,” Kelleher said.

In addition to housing, the Laurel Glen development will include a community space and financial literacy resources to help residents gain pathways to homeownership.