Delaware Congressional Delegation Announces Grant Awards to Provide Affordable Housing to Elderly

WILMINGTON – Today, Sens. Tom Carper and Chris Coons, and Rep. John Carney (all D-Del.) announced two grant awards that will provide housing for the elderly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to Ingleside Homes, Inc. and the Ministry of Caring, Inc., both in Wilmington, Del.

Ingleside Homes, Inc. received $6,224,200 to renovate the existing Dr. H. Fletcher Brown home. This money will help construct 29 one-bedroom, affordable rental housing units for very low income seniors in the historic home that currently has six units. The Ministry of Caring, Inc. received $4,608,300 to construct a three-story building of twenty-five one-bedroom units.

“This is a great day for the elderly in Delaware that so desperately need affordable and safe housing,” said Sen. Carper. “I support funding like this that will assist non-profits that do good works in the community by helping our aging population. This grant will provide them with housing that is convenient to public transportation and that uses energy efficient principles – a win-win for Delaware.”

“We owe it to our senior citizens to offer them more affordable housing opportunities in our community, and I am pleased that these two grant awards help accomplish that,” Sen. Coons said. “Both Ingleside Homes and the Ministry of Caring have deep roots in our community, and it is terrific news that their roles will being expanding to include these two affordable housing developments. I look forward to the day the projects break ground and to the day they open their doors to those who will call them home.”

“Every Delawarean should have a safe place to call home,” said Congressman Carney. “The funding announced today will go toward providing much needed services for low-income, elderly members of our community. Congratulations to Ingleside and Ministry of Caring on their successful proposals to bring these resources to Delaware. I’m looking forward to seeing these projects through to completion.”

“Ingleside is grateful to all of our Trustees, who supported our efforts to create affordable housing for seniors at 1010 North Broom,” said Larry Cessna, president and CEO of Ingleside Homes, Inc. “Thanks to their dedication, and the Congressional Delegation’s support in Washington, Dr. H. Fletcher Brown’s home will finally become apartments for the elderly as he intended.”

HUD announced today that it was providing $749 million in housing assistance to help non-profit organizations produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

The grant funding awarded under HUD’s Sections 202 and 811 Supportive Housing programs will kick start construction or major rehabilitation on more than 189 housing developments in 41 different states and Puerto Rico. When complete, more than 4,800 elderly households and persons with disabilities will be affordably housed with access to needed services.

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