Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund (SNHF)

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) has received more than $8 million dollars from various financial mortgage settlements to maintain the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund (SNHF) over the last five years. In FY2020, Governor Carney recommended and the General Assembly allocated $2.5 million to continue the Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund. The SNHF is set up as a revolving fund to be used for the acquisition, renovation, and sale of vacant, abandoned, foreclosed or blighted property throughout the State. The funds are targeted for efforts that:

  • Support community development, and/or
  • Transform neighborhoods that are experiencing blight or other forms of stress, including high crime.

Availability of Funds
Funds for the Program will be disbursed through a competitive process, with preference given to:

  • Acquisition: Purchase abandoned vacant, foreclosed or blighted homes and residential properties, in order to sell, rent or redevelop such homes and properties. The purchase of vacant parcels for the purpose of holding for future development will only be considered if it is part of an affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization development strategy that includes other eligible activities. * Land banking activities may only be included if the applicant (or partner) is considered a land bank in a Delaware jurisdiction.
  • Rehabilitation: Rehabilitate abandoned, vacant, foreclosed or blighted homes and residential properties, in order to sell, rent or redevelop such homes and properties. This includes properties currently owned or planning to acquire.*
  • Financing: Provide funds for new construction, acquisition or rehabilitation activities, including bridge financing, construction financing, or mortgage affordability targeting.
  • Demolition: Demolish blighted structures when part of a neighborhood revitalization development strategy that includes other eligible activities.
  • Redevelopment: Redevelop demolished or undeveloped properties; includes new construction on previously demolished sites.
  • Neighborhood Community Support: Activities that support community planning, housing development planning, implantation of plans, and capacity building. Examples include: technical assistance/consulting to create community or housing plans; staffing costs directly related to supporting implementation of community plans and training costs for relevant staff (of lead Applicant or partners) in community development or housing development. Maximum amount allowed for this use under SNHF is $50,000.

* DSHA has elected to consider only voluntary acquisitions. Foreclosed properties that are not vacant will not be considered for acquisition under this program.

How to Apply for a Grant or a Loan
Please refer to the SNHF Guideline listed below for instructions on how to apply, date and time deadlines, and application process and eligibility requirements.

Documentation
Please download and review the documents below to learn more about the SNHF program, get forms, and to determine if you qualify.

SNHF Guidelines and Application (Application Due Date Extended to May 29, 2020 by 4:00 p.m.)

SNHF applications will be accepted exclusively via e-mail. No hard copies of the applications will need to be submitted unless DSHA requests at a later date. Applicants should submit all parts of the application to DSHA’s community development mailbox comdev@destatehousing.com.

  1. Public Stakeholder meeting – March 12, 2020 – Liberty Court Community Building, Dover, DE
  2. SNHF Guidelines
  3. SNHF Application – Part I (Fillable Word Document)
  4. SNHF Application – Part II (Excel Format)
  5. SNHF Universal Design Self-Score Sheet

SNHF Targeted Area Maps

  1. SNHF Targeted Areas

DSHA CONTACT

If you have any questions or need further assistance about this program, please contact DSHA's Community Development Section at (302) 739-4263