DOVER – Delaware’s affordable housing crisis will be the focus of a joint legislative hearing held by the Senate and House housing committees, starting at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 6.
During the joint hearing, the 20 members of the Senate Housing & Land Use Committee and the House Housing Committee will hear from the authors of several new reports on the current state of Delaware’s housing market.
“Safe and affordable housing is necessary infrastructure for building thriving. And yet, year after year, soaring prices, inventory shortages and systemic barriers to homeownership have put the American Dream out of reach for too many working families,” said Senate Majority Whip Sen. Elizabeth “Tizzy” Lockman, chair of the Senate Housing & Land Use Committee. “I want to thank the members of both committees for their willingness to get to work a little early this year on addressing these barriers, starting with building a baseline understanding of the macro-economic trends and unique local challenges that are contributing to housing insecurity in our communities. I also want to thank the organizations working to solve housing insecurity who have partnered with us to find policy solutions that will help put a roof over the heads of more Delaware families.”
Groups slated to present during the joint hearing include:
- Delaware Department of Health and Social Services will present data from its recent Delaware State Health Needs Assessment survey
- Dr. Stephen Metraux, director of the University of Delaware’s Center for Community Research & Service, will review his 2023 report “Homelessness In Delaware: An Assessment”
- Housing Alliance Delaware will summarize the findings of its 2023 Point In Time Count
- Delaware State Housing Authority will review the findings of its 2023 Delaware Housing Needs Assessment
“We need to do all we can to ensure that all Delawareans have access to affordable housing,” said Rep. Kendra Johnson, chair of the House Housing Committee. “There are many factors contributing to housing insecurities, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to find solutions to the housing crisis and enable more people to become homeowners.”
WHAT: A joint hearing of the Senate Housing & Land Use Committee and the House Housing Committee
WHO: Members of the Senate and House housing committees
Representatives from Healthy Communities Delaware
Dr. Stephen Metraux
Representatives from Housing Alliance Delaware
Representatives from Delaware State Housing Authority
WHEN: 10 a.m., Wednesday, December 6
WHERE: In person – Senate Chamber
411 Legislative Ave.
Dover, DE 19904
Virtual – General Assembly website
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