Families displaced from their Wilmington homes on North Adams Street in May when their homes were condemned have been given until mid-October to find permanent housing or relocate to the New Castle County Hope Center if they want to continue to have their emergency housing costs covered.
The Wilmington residents who have been living at the Fairview Inn on South Market Street since they were ousted from their homes on the 800 block of N. Adams St. were recently told they had until Oct. 14 to find permanent housing or relocate to the Hope Center on Airport Road near New Castle to continue receiving financial assistance to cover emergency shelter costs and other supports.
The joint letter drafted by the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services and the city of Wilmington said residents on Oct. 21 “will have the opportunity to relocate” to the Hope Center “as you continue your transition to more permanent housing.”
The letter states residents must inform their case managers by Oct. 14 whether they’ll be relocating to the Hope Center or making other housing arrangements.
As of Oct. 1, 12 households were at the motel and four others were at the Hope Center, according to the state health department.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:No one will say how Wilmington money meant for displaced residents has been spent
DISORGANIZED HELP:A month after being displaced by condemned building, Wilmington residents say aid disorganized
Since 27 households were displaced from their homes on May 16, assistance to the residents has been disorganized and lackluster. Families say communication among the various agencies that pledged to help has been sparse and funds that were set aside specifically to assist the displaced residents have done little to help.
While some households have successfully found alternative places to live, in some cases it has come at an increased cost to the household. Many others still struggle to find a permanent, affordable place to live.
HOMELESS CRISIS LOOMS:As pandemic funds dry up, hundreds face homelessness when motel vouchers expire Aug. 31
Wilmington officials confirmed the city will continue to cover expenses associated with housing the displaced residents at the Hope Center, which has cost the city over $1 million so far this year.
“The Hope Center staff offers its residents an essential array of wrap-around social services in a comfortable and respectful living environment,” Mayor Mike Purzycki said. “From the moment a family moves into the Hope Center, they are assigned a housing stabilization case manager, offered mental health services and access to primary medical care services, as well as food and other essentials.”
But rules and restrictions at the emergency shelter can make it a less viable option for some families. In one instance, a single mom working the night shift was unable to stay at the Hope Center because her teenage son couldn’t be left at the shelter unattended.
Displaced residents who are unable to find permanent housing before Oct. 21 and ultimately opt to remain at the motel will have to cover those costs themselves moving forward, which will be $385 per week, health officials said.
Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on Twitter at @mandy_fries.
