Vanessa Cullen

This document proposes a substantial amendment to the Delaware State Housing Authority's FY2021 HOME-ARP Allocation Plan. The amendment reallocates funds, including an additional HUD allocation, primarily to increase support for the acquisition and development of a non-congregate shelter. Key changes include modifying funding categories, reducing or eliminating other eligible activities, and adopting a direct selection process for fund distribution to address the urgent homelessness crisis in Delaware.

The meeting commenced with welcoming remarks and an acknowledgment of a technical issue during the previous meeting that affected the recording of public comments, pending guidance from the DOJ. Following roll call attendance, the committee proceeded to review and approve the meeting minutes from the prior session without amendments. The primary discussion focused on the working document related to outstanding questions required for the initial report concerning House Bill 70, with confirmation that further discussions would occur after the March 1st submission deadline. The session concluded with a dedicated public comment period where multiple in-person and virtual attendees provided remarks. It was also noted that written public comments submitted before the December meeting were inadvertently omitted from those minutes.

The meeting commenced with welcome and attendance confirmation, noting eight of ten members were present. The committee then continued discussions on homework report-outs, which included reviewing the distinctions between a lead inspector and a lead risk assessor, concerns regarding contractor capacity, the cost of lead screening equipment such as XRF scanners, insurance costs for abatement contractors, and reviewing best practices from Philadelphia and other states concerning insurance coverage for lead hazards. Public comment sessions were held both in-person and virtually, though the meeting was adjourned prematurely due to technical difficulties stemming from a local power outage.

The committee meeting commenced with roll call and confirmation of a quorum. A significant portion of the discussion focused on technical issues experienced during the previous meeting, specifically concerning remote public comments, and the subsequent need for guidance on handling hybrid meeting audio failures. Key agenda items involved reviewing the draft first report required by legislation, intended for submission without requesting an extension. Members discussed the structure of this draft report, which addresses 16 specific questions related to the implementation of the law, noting that some answers are contingent on further information or legislative clarity. There was also discussion regarding implementation deadlines, specifically the March 1st, 2028 date for full enforcement, and the potential impact of the ongoing feasibility study on these timelines. The committee also confirmed that minutes from the January 7th meeting were approved.

Key discussions during the meeting included legislative updates concerning the SJR8 Local Land Use & Zoning Reform Pilot Program, which involved accepting applications from nine municipalities for modernizing zoning codes. DSHA is finalizing an agreement with AffordableHousing.com to streamline the PHA Request for Tenancy Approval process, which will enable Delaware's new source-of-income protections for voucher holders to take effect on January 1, 2026. The Lead Remediation Committee met, and the Interagency Collaborative to End Homelessness is preparing its final report focused on outreach, expanding emergency shelter via HOPE Centers, and enhancing supportive housing. Community engagement involved the Rent Reporting Pilot program rollout and the groundbreaking for the CHEER Gateway East expansion, which will add 59 affordable senior units. New construction ground was broken for the Mispillion Station II project. In committee reports, Loan Review presented two funding requests for full Council approval: Resolution No. 669 for the DSHA Statewide Emergency Repair Program (SERP) funding request of $4,500,000, and Resolution No. 670 for financing the Georgetown II Apartments project, involving $7MM construction financing and $3,120,000 in permanent financing.