$100,000 Grant Announced To Support Eviction Prevention Services In Delaware

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Dover, Del. Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - Today, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) announced an additional $100,000 in funding awarded to the Eviction Defense Project (EDP). The funding will continue supporting housing stability for low-income, at-risk renters.

The EDP is a partnership between Delaware's nonprofit civil legal services providers and other justice community partners to provide free legal assistance and representation for Delaware tenants in eviction and loss of public housing/housing voucher cases. Members of EDP include:

• Legal Services Corporation of Delaware, Inc.
• Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI)
• Delaware Volunteer Legal Services, Inc.
• The Delaware Bar Foundation
• The Delaware State Bar Association
• The Delaware Combined Campaign for Justice

Since 2021, DSHA awarded EDP over $200,000. With these funds, over 150 households have been assisted in remaining stable, avoiding legal judgment and/or eviction, and keeping their housing subsidy.

"CLASI fights daily to keep low-income, at-risk tenants in their homes because we know that housing is a foundational building block in a person's journey," said Sarah Rhine, Managing Attorney at CLASI. "With this additional funding, our team will be able to build capacity and continue helping Delawareans statewide."

The award is funded by the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, which U.S. Treasury allocated to the state of Delaware in January and May of 2021.

"We're proud of the difference the Eviction Defense Project has made with this funding to date," said Cynthia Karnai, Director of DSHA. "Their programs are not only community-minded but also efficient and intentional. We look forward to seeing how this additional award builds on their success."

For more information on the Eviction Defense Project, please visit delegalhelplink.org or call (302) 478-8850.

SUCCESS STORY

Mr. G is an individual with disabilities who holds a housing voucher through the New Castle County Housing Authority (NCCHA). He and his mother were on the voucher together and lived in the rental with no issues for many years.

In 2023, Mr. G's mother, his primary support person, passed away, causing him to fall behind on his rent and lose communication with NCCHA.

He started the healing process recently and contacted CLASI for help with his nonpayment eviction case. His landlord was willing to enter a 6-month repayment plan to settle the pending eviction case; however, Mr. G's only source of income is Social Security Disability Income. As a result, he would have had to pay over 50% of his income towards housing.

By working with CLASI and the Eviction Defense Project, Mr. G used settlement assistance funds to make the repayment plan viable. The funding provided allowed Mr. G to:

1. Preserve his voucher.
2. Avoid eviction.
3. Retain stable and safe housing.
4. Maintain his mental health.

About Delaware State Housing Authority

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA), formed in 1968, provides quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to low-and moderate-income Delawareans. In addition to its role as the State's Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it serves as a Public Housing Authority and a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own, and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware's three counties.

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