Disaster Housing

Disaster Housing Recovery Initiatives

Post-disaster recovery is a complex and enduring process that includes repairing infrastructure, revitalizing the economy, restoring natural and cultural resources, addressing health and social service needs, providing community assistance, and resolving disaster-related housing challenges.

Recognizing that accessible and stable housing is a cornerstone of recovery, Housing Delaware launched a statewide effort in 2023 to strengthen the state’s preparedness for effective post-disaster housing recovery. This initiative focuses on fostering partnerships, securing resources, and promoting inter-agency collaboration. A key component of this effort is the creation of the multi-sector Disaster Housing Task Force (DHTF), which has played a pivotal role in shaping Delaware’s inaugural Disaster Housing Strategy, released in June 2025.

This strategy, along with other disaster housing recovery initiatives, will continue to evolve through increased stakeholder engagement, knowledge sharing, and capacity building.

Pilot Program for Municipalities and Preparedness Guide

In partnership with the University of Delaware’s Institute for Public Administration (IPA), Housing Delaware has launched a technical assistance pilot program to support a cohort of three municipalities in Sussex County adopt pre-disaster actions to streamline their housing recovery process.

This pilot program is based on recommendations within Delaware’s Disaster Housing Strategy and provides municipalities with a Disaster Housing Preparedness Guide, which is a categorized menu of preparedness options intended to enhance recovery efficiency. The Guide provides best practices from across the nation and categorized pre-disaster actions for local level governments to consider implementing to facilitate a smoother disaster housing process post-disaster.

These preparedness recommendations are rated based on the effort levels expected for implementation and labeled as either ‘administrative’ or ‘legislative’ actions. All case studies, resources, and datasets/tools within are intended to support a smoother post-disaster recovery process.

Municipal partners interested in pre-disaster planning can also explore DSHA’s work with local municipalities.

Disaster Housing Strategy

As a living document, the Disaster Housing Strategy is intended to evolve and strengthen over time. Through its publication, Housing Delaware seeks to foster new partnerships, encourage further dialogue about risk mitigation and disaster recovery, and explore local and legislative solutions that could enable more efficient and equitable recovery. The Strategy has been released to the public to raise awareness across Delaware, inspire action among housing stakeholders, and provide a valuable reference for external agencies and organizations working to enhance their own disaster preparedness.

Ultimately, the Disaster Housing Strategy underscores the importance of community, state, and regional coordination to bolster collective resilience, as well as lays the foundation for future progress through empowering Delaware’s entities to navigate the complexities of disaster recovery with greater confidence and unity.

Disaster Housing Task Force

In the aftermath of disasters, addressing housing needs requires a united and collaborative approach. The DHTF brings together various organizations, private partnerships, and governmental entities to coordinate resources, share expertise, and streamline communication across all facets of disaster housing recovery. Each member contributes unique assets and knowledge, minimizing gaps in the housing recovery process.

What does the DHTF do?

• Facilitates a collaborative framework where every entity involved plays a crucial role in disaster housing recovery.
• Ensures all stakeholders, from government agencies to private sector partners, are integrated into the communication chain.
• Leverages overlapping expertise and resources to maximize efficiency and effectiveness.

Looking ahead:

To enhance focus and efficiency, the Task Force will establish subcommittees or working groups dedicated to specific aspects of housing recovery. Additionally, we are actively seeking new partnerships. If your organization, agency, or business has a nexus to housing and can contribute to post-disaster efforts, we encourage you to connect with us. Together, we can strengthen Delaware’s disaster housing recovery efforts and ensure that no resident is left without a path to stable housing. Reach out today to learn more or get involved.

Task Force Members / Partners

Want to become a partner? Contact Vanessa Cullen at Vanessa.Cullen@Delaware.gov or (302) 739-0317.

Disaster Housing News