Moving to Work (MTW)


In order to be eligible for Moving To Work, applicants must apply to the DSHA Public Housing and Section 8/Housing Choice Voucher Waiting List.
Effective March 18, 2022, the Waiting List is closed. Please check back at a later date to see if the waiting list has re-opened.

Applicants for the Public Housing (PH) and Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers programs are placed on a combined waiting list for assistance. Applicants are given the first available subsidy location, which may be a public housing site or in the form of a Housing Choice Voucher for use in the private market. Most residents, with the exception of the elderly and disabled, are eligible to receive subsidy under these programs for a maximum of 7 years while they take part in a mandatory self-sufficiency program. The MTW program has two levels, MTW Tier I (the first five years) and MTW Tier II (the final two years).

How To Apply

  1. Make sure you (the tenant) meet all tenant requirements.
  2. Call a DSHA Contact to begin the application process.

Tenant Qualifications

  1. Eligible participants of this program are low-income Delawareans who agree to take the necessary steps (education, employment, income, etc.) to become independent of government-assisted housing within seven years.
  2. Preference in the program is given to applicants who are employed and live or work in Kent and Sussex Counties.
  3. Participating clients must sign a Contract of Mutual Participation with DSHA. Families will also complete a Resident Action Plan outlining their self-sufficiency goals.
  4. The Contract of Mutual Participation will limit housing assistance for Moving To Work participants to seven years (with the potential for a short term extension for participants who have complied with the contract but need more time).
  5. To provide a real work incentive, rent is capped at a maximum of 35% of a client's monthly adjusted income or $120, whichever is greater. Clients whose rent exceeds $350 at move in are capped at $350. As the client's income increases, it is required that the percentage of the additional income, which formerly would have been paid in rent, be placed in a savings account.
  6. During the term of the contract, DSHA will provide case management for program participants, and referrals and access to appropriate services.
  7. While receiving assistance, the client must comply with the contract. If the client does not, a "strike" will be issued. After the third strike, the client's financial assistance will be terminated and they must move from their unit (public housing) or pay full rent with no subsidy (housing choice voucher).
  8. Family Cap: DSHA will not allow an income adjustment for any child born 10 months after the contract is signed.
  9. When a client reaches the end of the initial 5 year period (MTW Tier I) if their income has increased to where 40% of their monthly income equals or exceeds the fair market rent for their unit or a private rental unit, and they move into other unsubsidized housing or home ownership, they are eligible to receive the balance of any monies in their savings account.
  10. For residents whose income does not increase to where 40% of their monthly adjusted income equals or exceeds the fair market rent for their unit at the end of year five of the MTW program, and they are in compliance with program requirements, they will continue as MTW Tier II participants for the remaining two years. Participants whose income has increased to where 40% of their monthly income equals or exceeds the fair market rent for their unit, or a private unit they make arrangements to rent, and move into other unsubsidized housing or home ownership, will receive a prorated portion of any monies in their savings account.
  11. At the end of the seven year period, the family will no longer be eligible to receive housing assistance and will be required to either move from their public housing unit or assume the full amount of rent in their housing choice voucher unit.
  12. Participants in their final year of the MTW program (MTW Tier II) that need additional time beyond the seven year period may request a short term, temporary extension through a Hardship Panel.

Related Programs


DSHA Contacts
Would you like to participate in this program? Do you have questions about this program? Please contact Isaiah Greene, Social Service Manager, at 302.739.7416