Request for Proposals
Statewide Healthy Homes Needs Assessment
Wilmington, DE, December 16, 2021 – The vision of Habitat for Humanity is a world where everyone has a decent place to live, improving their quality of life and general wellbeing. To that end, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, Central Delaware Habitat for Humanity, and Sussex County Habitat for Humanity invite proposals to complete a statewide, data-driven housing needs assessment with an emphasis on health outcomes.
Healthy, stable homes are the key to improved health, economic, and social outcomes. Unfortunately, environmental hazards in the home cause millions of preventable injuries and complications from disease each year. In Delaware, nearly 47,000 households have at least one severe housing problem. Substandard housing and poor indoor environment are linked to increased indoor allergen exposure and greater morbidity and mortality. Additionally, trip and fall hazards pose serious problems and are especially problematic for older residents. More than 26% of adults over the age of 65 reported falling in the past year. Approximately 1 in 5 of these falls caused serious injury resulting in restricted activity, loss of independence, and premature death. These issues are especially prevalent in low-income and minority households.
Q&A with Dave Iliff, Habitat volunteer coordinator for PSA since 2007
In late September 2021, a group of Patterson-Schwartz Real Estate sales associates took a break from selling homes to help build them. It wasn’t the first time members of the Patterson-Schwartz family put on their hard hats and tool belts for Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County, but it was a notable one. This most recent volunteer effort marked the first on-site Build Day since the pandemic restrictions set in early 2020 were lifted.
No one could be more proud to be back building homes than Dave Iliff. This Patterson-Schwartz Hockessin sales associate has been coordinating our local volunteer efforts for Habitat for Humanity since 2007.
Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County brings people together to build homes, community, and hope. Find out more about our work through a conversation between Teleduction’s Sharon Baker and HabitatNCC CEO Kevin Smith. http://www.teleduction.com/ and http://www.habitatncc.org
WILMINGTON, DE — The City of Wilmington is welcoming four new homeowners to the City’s East Side at a recent dedication ceremony, held on September 30th, sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County (HabitatNCC) on the 800 block of Bennett Street.
The event included a dedication ceremony with each of the four Habitat homes located on the 800 block of Bennett Street. The four properties are part of a 12-unit Habitat affordable housing initiative titled “Amala Way.” Amala has the intended meaning of “Peace,” one of the several core values of the affiliate including hope and faith.
During the ceremonies, HFHNCC staff, Board Members, community residents, and supporters gathered to celebrate new homeowners Nema Bass, Antonia Burruss, Marlise Carr, and Lucinda Cain for this momentous occasion. Also in attendance were Wilmington Mayor Michael Purzycki, New Castle County Executive Matthew Meyer, Delaware State Housing Authority COO Cynthia Karnai, Bank of America SVP and Community Relations Manager Connie Montana, and DuPont Global Community Impact Leader Patrick McCrummen.
Mayor Mike Purzycki was pleased to help welcome four new homeowners to the City’s East Side at a recent dedication ceremony sponsored by Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County on the 800 block of Bennett Street. “This was a long time coming, but it was always the City’s goal to see the Bennett Street project completed as quickly as possible and made available to families for homeownership,” said Mayor Purzycki. “Thanks to Kevin Smith and everyone at Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County who stepped in and took this project on. This block is now on the cusp of coming back to life as we continue to work together to strengthen and revive the entire neighborhood.” Habitat for Humanity’s news release is below.
Holding Up a Helping Hand: Habitat NCC Welcomes Four Wilmington Women to Their New Homes
The vision of Habitat for Humanity of New Castle is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Committed to providing affordable housing for cost-burdened families, the affiliate has been hard at work revitalizing the Eastside community of Wilmington, DE. On September 30th, Habitat dedicated four homes in Eastside, Wilmington, welcoming four women as new Habitat homeowners.
The event included a dedication ceremony with each of the four Habitat homes located on the 800 block of Bennett Street. The four properties are part of a 12-unit Habitat affordable housing initiative titled “Amala Way.” Amala has the intended meaning of “Peace,” one of the several core values of the affiliate including hope and faith.
Nema Bass was living in a Wilmington apartment with mold and a rodent infestation when she learned a friend was buying a home through Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County.
“I saw him get through the program, saw him be dedicated to it. So I gave it a whirl,’’ Bass told WHYY News on Thursday.
The Wilmington University budget analyst took the required financial literacy and home maintenance courses, and did some volunteer work on other habitat projects. Now she’s buying a gleaming new two-story, three-bedroom brick home with a garage for under $200,000.
WITN 22 was on the scene on the 800 block of Bennett Street as Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County announced the completion of seven homes on the Eastside of Wilmington. The seven homes are part of the 12-unit project at Amala Way located on Bennett Street.
Marlise Carr and her three children are eagerly counting the days until they can move into their new Habitat for Humanity home in Wilmington. This marks a life-altering chapter with myriad opportunities.
After a decade of rental restrictions and subsidized housing, their dream of homeownership is finally coming true. While the 33-year-old single mother is moving her family only 2 miles from their rental of seven years, this is the culmination of major life changes that Carr has made to give her kids—a 14-year-old son and two daughters, ages 7 and 12—a better life.
Carr’s eyes well with tears when she shares her kids’ plans to decorate their rooms, host family barbecues and make friends with their neighbors on the block.
“It is extremely emotional for me,” she says. “This is our new three-bedroom home, [where] everyone will have his or her own space.… Owning my own property and educating my children about homeownership and what solid financial health looks like is an important gift that I can give to them.”
Bank of America Delaware President Chip Rossi has joined the Board of Directors for the Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County. Formerly the affiliate’s Development Committee chair, Rossi is taking on a new role as HFHNCC board president. Rossi’s tenure took effect July 1, succeeding that of former Board President Maureen McDonald, of J.P. Morgan Chase.
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