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Learn more about the Delaware Mortgage Program

Build & Develop

Downtown Development Districts

Investors who make Qualified Real Property Investments in a designated Downtown Development District may apply to Housing Delaware for a rebate that spurs private capital investment in Delaware’s downtowns.

Small Project rebatesRolling from July 15, 2026 through May 30, 2027
Large Project reservationsNot currently accepting applications
Who appliesInvestors in a designated district

On this page

$3M Allocated for the Small Project DDD set-aside in the FY27 program cycle
17 Large Project funding rounds completed since the program began
12 Designated Downtown Development Districts across Delaware

Program overview

The Downtown Development Districts Act was created to leverage state resources in a limited number of designated areas in Delaware’s cities and towns to:

  • spur private capital investment in commercial business districts and other neighborhoods;
  • stimulate job growth and improve the commercial vitality of our cities and towns; and
  • help build a stable community of long-term residents in our downtowns and other neighborhoods.

Under this Act, funding was allocated through the General Assembly to Housing Delaware for the purpose of establishing and administering the DDD Rebate Program. Investors who make Qualified Real Property Investments (QRPI) to commercial, industrial, residential, and mixed-use buildings or facilities may apply to DSHA for a DDD Rebate.

Questions about this program?

Contact Housing Delaware's Production Department at 18 The Green, Dover, DE 19901.

Eligibility

To qualify for a DDD Rebate, an investment must meet all of the following:

  • The Qualified Real Property Investment (QRPI) must be made within the boundary of a designated DDD.
  • The QRPI must be made in conformance with the approved District plan.
  • The QRPI must be in excess of the required Minimum Qualified Investment Threshold (MQIT).
  • The QRPI must be made after the date the real property location is officially incorporated within the boundary of a designated District.
  • The Investor must meet site control requirements (e.g. legal title, sales agreement, or owner’s consent).

Designated districts

Twelve districts across all three counties. Start with the interactive map to explore each district’s boundaries, character, and rebate-funded projects, or jump straight to your county below. Each municipality maintains its own district plan.

Open the DDD StoryMap in a full window — developed with the University of Delaware’s Institute of Public Administration and the Office of State Planning Coordination.

New Castle County

Kent County

Sussex County

Guidelines & applications

Please download and review the documents below to learn more about the DDD Rebate Program, to obtain forms, and to determine if you qualify. All submissions must conform to the current program guidelines — submit applications to dsha_appdocs@delaware.gov. Questions: contact Kim Edwards at (302) 739-0240 or Estee Gleasner at (302) 739-0299.

Application deadlines

  • Large Project Reservation Applications: Currently not accepting applications.
  • Small Project Rebate Applications: Accepted on a rolling basis, subject to funding availability. Housing Delaware has allocated $3 million for the Small Project DDD set-aside for the FY27 program cycle. As of July 15, 2026, DSHA will accept Small Project DDD applications for the FY27 funding cycle. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until May 30, 2027, or as long as funding remains available, whichever comes first.

Rebate program guidelines and applications

Additional forms

Large Project Reservation awards

Award announcements by funding round. The most recent round is shown first; earlier rounds are retained for reference.

Round 17 — Fall 2024

Most recent 1 document

Earlier rounds

Annual reports