Homeownership Production

Homeownership Production

  1. Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund

Strong Neighborhoods Housing Fund (SNHF)

This program supports the acquisition/rehab/redevelopment of vacant and dormant properties to create affordable homeownership. These revolving funds are targeted for efforts that support community development and/or transform neighborhoods that are experiencing challenges or other forms of stress, including high crime.

DSHA is pleased to announce that $4 million in funding has been awarded through the FY27 Bond Bill for the newly revamped Strong Neighborhood programming: Fresh Start Communities & Bridging the Gap.

Beginning July 15, 2026, DSHA will accept applications for both programs. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 30, 2027, or as long as funding remains available, whichever comes first.

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

  • Acquisition: Purchase abandoned vacant, foreclosed or dormant 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 and should be re-built on the parcel within 5-7 years. Applicants with acquisition parcels within a 1-2 block area will be given priority in scoring.
  • Land banking activities may only be included if the applicant (or partner) is considered a land bank in a Delaware Jurisdiction. Purchase, secure, and/or demolish abandoned vacant, foreclosed, or deteriorated homes and residential properties for the purpose of holding for future disposition as part of an affordable housing, neighborhood revitalization development strategy.
  • Rehabilitation: Rehabilitate abandoned, vacant, foreclosed or deteriorated 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 deteriorated structures when part of a neighborhood revitalization development strategy that includes other eligible activities. No more than 25% of award can be used for demolition purposes.
  • Redevelopment: Redevelop demolished or undeveloped properties; includes new construction on previously demolished sites.

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

Program guidelines and application forms are available below.  Please submit completed applications to dsha_commgrwth@delaware.gov.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Kim Edwards at 302-739-0240 or Carey Golt at 302-739-0313.

Program guidelines and application forms are available below.  Please submit completed applications to dsha_commgrwth@delaware.gov.

If you have any questions, please contact me, Kim Edwards at 302-739-0240 or Carey Golt at 302-739-0313.