Council approves new lease for two vacant houses
Two vacant county-owned houses will now be leased to Habitat for Humanity as part of their affordable housing program.
Habitat partners with local families who build sweat equity while working to build their own new house in the county. Many volunteers work with the partner families to complete the house. Now, both the partner families and the volunteers will have places to stay while the new house is being constructed.
Sussex County Housing Coordinator Brandy Bennett reported that the request for proposals for the three vacant county-owned houses returned six potential tenants. A committee made up of housing specialists and legal counsel reviewed the six proposals.
The committee operated with strict guidelines that the new tenants were to provide a benefit to the community, operate as a non-profit and be responsible for maintenance of the houses during their 10-year lease. Habitat for Humanity met all these conditions.
Sussex County Council unanimously approved the 10-year lease during the Tuesday, March 30 meeting.
--For more, see this week's Sussex Countian print edition --
County offices closed for Easter
The county offices will be closed Friday, April 2 to recognize the Easter holiday. County offices will reopen Monday, April 5. Also because of the holiday, Sussex County Council will not meet Tuesday, April 6. Council will resume meeting on Tuesday, April 13 at 10 a.m. in council chambers.
Housing committee to meet
The Manufactured Housing Committee will hold its last scheduled meeting at 10 a.m. on April 8 in county council chambers. The committee has made great strides, but may request another meeting after this one, said County Administrator Dave Baker. Following the conclusion of meetings, the committee will be making recommendations to the council.
Flood assistance for residents
Sussex County will be partnering with the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) to help residents with severe flood damage.
Sussex County Community Development and Housing Representative Brad Whaley and Michael Powell of DNREC told the council about federal flooding funds that would be available to improve conditions for residents.
First, the resident must have flood insurance. Second, the resident must be able to show long-term and severe flood damage. If these two conditions are met, they can work through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to secure funds to raise the home’s foundation or have grading and drainage work done to reduce flood damage.
The grant application for flood funding is due in December and the county housing division has compiled a list of affected residents.
Residents who are experiencing extreme flood damage and meet the above conditions should contact the county housing division, DNREC or FEMA to find out more about funding available.
Generally, the homeowner is responsible for 25 percent of the cost, while FEMA pays 75 percent, but because the council wants to try to help more residents, a motion was approved to require homeowners to pay 50 percent, with the remaining 50 percent coming from the federal grant.
Harris Alley parking contractor approved
The long-awaited county parking expansion in Harris Alley was approved for a contractor Tuesday. The low-bidder – Ralph Cahall & Son of Smyrna – proposed expanding the parking for a cost of $85,187. Seven bids were received for the project and the council accepted the lowest bidder.
