Delaware SHA Provides Incentives to Create More Housing Units

Delaware State Housing Authority recently announced 335 affordable housing units will be created or preserved as a result of the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program. The program’s qualified-allocation plan includes incentives for developers to construct fully accessible units and encourage them to build new units that will add 83 affordable apartments to the statewide inventory.

 

“Affordable housing helps families, builds communities and grows our economy,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “We are doing everything we can to make it possible for people, including those with special needs, to buy a home that meets their needs and matches their income.”
 

 

Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) Director Anas Ben Addi added, “The need for affordable housing is growing. With these LIHTC [Low Income Housing Tax Credit] units, more struggling families and persons with disabilities looking to live independently within their community will have a safe and decent home they can afford - reducing the financial burden they face in this tough economy.”
 

 

The new points category in the qualified-allocation plan (QAP) provided incentives to developers to produce additional fully accessible units. Fully accessible units encompass design elements - such as cabinet height, hallway width, first-floor bathroom and bedroom on the same level, in addition to numerous other specifications - that can provide accommodation for a person with a disability.
 

 

Currently, several federal and state regulations require 5 percent of all units to be fully accessible, as well as all common areas such as offices, parking and playgrounds. Of the 355 units that have been preliminarily ranked in this year’s LIHTC funding round, 5.6 percent are required for accessibility. However, with the new additional Americans With Disabilities Act/Fair Housing category, 12.96 percent will be fully accessible, which is more than double the required units. The State Architectural Accessibility Board reviews all plans and the housing authority will ensure accessibility compliance at the sites.
 

 

The preliminary ranking includes 35 newly created units to be located at Hampton Circle, an elderly subsidized site in Seaford, as well as 48 new units at Bayard Plaza in Dover. Other locations will later be in Bridgeville and Claymont.