ABOUT DSHA
Mission Statement | History | Awards
DSHA'S MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Delaware State Housing Authority is to efficiently provide, and assist others to provide, quality, affordable housing opportunities and appropriate supportive services to responsible low- and moderate-income Delawareans.
DSHA'S HISTORY
The Delaware State Housing Authority was created in 1968 as a public corporation in the Delaware State Department of Housing. In 1970, DSHA became part of the Department of Community Affairs and later, in 1987, joined the Delaware Economic Development Office. Recognizing the critical services provided by DSHA, Governor Thomas R. Carper established DSHA as an independent authority in the Executive Department in 1998, with its Director, Susan Frank, reporting directly to the Governor as a member of the Cabinet. This historical step cemented the role of affordable housing as a key aspect of State policy.
Since 1968, when the Delaware General Assembly appropriated $100,000 for first-year operations, DSHA's assets have grown to more than $500 million. The greatest period of growth has occurred since 1975, when the Authority first began issuing tax-exempt revenue bonds.
DSHA has the power to make loans and grants to both for-profit and non-profit housing sponsors; to make loans to mortgage lenders and require that they use the proceeds to make new residential mortgage loans; to apply for and receive subsidies from the federal government and other sources; and to issue its own bonds and notes.
In addition to its role as the State's Housing Finance Agency, DSHA is unique in that it is also serves as a Public Housing Authority and acts as a Community Development and Planning Agency. As a Public Housing Authority, DSHA receives funding from HUD to build, own and operate public housing in Kent and Sussex counties, two of Delaware's three counties.
AWARDS
DSHA often receives awards and recognition for excellence in its field. Below are some awards we've received to recognize our achievements.
Innovations in American Government
- National Semi-finalist for the Delaware Housing Partnership, 1995
National Council of State Housing Agencies
- 2010 Agency Award for Leveraging the Delaware Housing Partnership to fund the Second Mortgage Assistance Loan Program, 2009
- 2010 Agency Award for Snapshots from the Often Overlooked - A Photovoice Project, 2009
- Award for Program Excellence for the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, 2003
- Award for Program Excellence for the Moving to Work program, 2003
- Program Award for the Second Mortgage Assistance Loan, 1998
- Significant Achievement in Innovative Media Award, 1996
- Award for Program Excellence for the Housing Development Fund, 1996
Delaware Housing Coalition
- Kind Policy Award to DSHA's Kim Brockenbrough, 1999
Government Finance Officers Association of U.S. & Canada
- Award of Excellence in Financial Reporting, Fifteen Consecutive Years:2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997, 1996, 1995
National Association of Housing & Redevelopment Officials
- Agency Awards for the Delawareans Save! Individual Development Accounts 2004
- Award of Merit for the Delaware Homeless Management Information System, 2003
- Award of Merit for the Moving to Work program, 2003
- Award of Merit for the Moving to Work Video, 2003
- CDBG Best Practices Award for the West Rehoboth Community Revitalization, 1999
- Award of Merit for the Family Services Partnership, 1998
- Award of Merit for the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund, 1998
- Award of Merit for the Drug Elimination Program, 1997
- Award of Merit for the Delaware Housing Partnership Marketing Video, 1997
- National Award of Excellence for the "Move On Up" Video on the Family Self-Sufficiency Program, 1996
- Ambassador of the Year Award to DSHA's Susan Frank, 1996
- Award of Merit for the Delaware Housing Partnership, 1995
- Award of Merit for Public Housing Management, 1993
- Award of Merit for the Public Housing Acquisition & Modernization of Liberty Court, 1993
- Agency Award for Cornerstone West 2004
- Agency Award (National and Regional) for Central YMCA SRO 2004
- Agency Awards Delaware Residential Energy Summit 2006
- Agency Awards DSHA's Affordable Homeownership Programs 2007
- Agency Awards Speakman Place 2008
- Agency Awards (Regional) Huling Cove Rehabilitation/Modernization 2009
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
- Best Practice Award for the Neighborhood Revitalization Fund, 2000
- Best Practice Award for the Delaware Housing Partnership, 2000
- Sustained Performance Award under the Public Housing Management Assessment Program, 1997
- Sustained Performance Award under the Public Housing Management Assessment Program, 1995
- Housing Commissioner's Award for Photojournalism by DSHA's Cynthia Marshall, 1995
- High Performer Award under the Public Housing Management Assessment Program, 1994
- Housing Commissioner's Award for Photojournalism by DSHA's Cynthia Marshall, 1994
- Sustained Performance Award under the Public Housing Management Assessment Program, 1993
State Interagency Council of Children & Their Families
- Collaborator of the Year Award to DSHA's Susan Frank, 1996
State Office of Volunteerism
- Outstanding Volunteer Award to DSHA's Rita Paige, 2002
- Outstanding Volunteer Award to DSHA's Rita Paige, 1997
Delaware Community Reinvestment Action Council
- Community Service Award for DSHA's Bernadette McCabe, 1999
State Personnel Office
- Excellence and Commitment in State Services for DSHA's Patricia Conley 2004
- Excellence and Commitment in State Services for DSHA's Lynne Bie, 2000
Delaware Historic Preservation
- Preservation Award for preserving buildings on The Green and Bank Lane 2004
Council on State Community Development Agencies
- Annual Awards for Live Near Your Work 2005
Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition
- Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards for Chandler Heights I 2007
- Charles L. Edson Tax Credit Excellence Awards for Old Landing II 2008
State of Delaware
- Governor's Team Excellence Awards Finalist - American Dream Team 2007
