More affordable homes are popping up throughout the county as developers and county officials finally respond to the slow housing and job market. Capstone Homes LLC and Holland Mills Development LLC broke ground on July 14 for a development located between Milton and Lewes that provides affordable homes for the working class.

In 2006, Capstone Homes created the “Workforce Housing” concept, where special incentives are offered to local workers to obtain housing in an area that would previously have been too expensive to afford.

“We saw a need. For lower income people, there are great programs from the state and the federal government,” said Scott Dailey, director of sales for Capstone Homes. “Higher income people will always have access to new homes in desirable locations. This program is geared toward the middle class people who make too much for the government programs and too little for homes in eastern Sussex County.”

The Holland Mills development, consisting of 136 lots, is located on Walker Road, in the Cape Henlopen School District, about seven miles from Five Points. The community will include walking trails, a multi-acre pond, a pool and a clubhouse. They offer seven different floor plans. Stick-built homes with garages start at $199,900.

Vouchers are offered for people who live and work in Sussex County. The vouchers allow those people to receive special incentives not available to the general public. The program, which is supported by county officials, has been cited as a strategy for reaching the county’s objectives in housing. The plan is a reflection of an objective of the Comprehensive Plan that encourages private for-profit developers to build affordable housing projects.

“We think it’s a win-win for everyone. The price and location of Capstone Homes in Holland Mills allow for people who live and work here to live in a desirable location,” said local developer and Capstone Homes partner Preston Lynch Dyer. “It will allow local businesses and public agencies to hire quality people, and that will enhance the quality of life for everyone who lives and visits Sussex County.”

Dailey said because Capstone is a local business, they can tailor the voucher program to the needs of any employer. Capstone has an existing relationship with PATS Aircraft in Georgetown.

For more information, call Capstone at 684-4480 or visit www.capstonehomesde.com.

The county has also approved developments under its Moderately Priced Housing Unit ordinance, which asks developers to voluntarily set aside a portion of their projects for moderate incomes, such as teachers, nurses and police officers, in exchange for incentives such as expedited review and fee waivers.

Requirements to move into MPHUs include being of moderate income level as defined by the code; being a permanent resident of Sussex County for one year prior to applying to purchase an MPHU; employment in the county for at least the immediately preceding year and current employment in the county as of the date of sale; and maintaining the MPHU as the primary residence during participation in the MPHU program.

Homes built under the ordinance would range in price from $160,000-222,000, which would mean a buyer would have to make between $30,000-69,000 a year to afford a home.  The Villages of Elizabethtown, located near Milton, was the first development approved under the MPHU ordinance last July. County council required at least 400 of the 3,700 units be deemed affordable housing units.