Twenty vouchers to be allocated with a two-year time limit

Dover, Del. – Jan. 30, 2026 – The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services’ (DHSS) Division of Social Services (DSS) have launched a pilot program to provide 20 State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) vouchers to eligible clients of Dual Generation Center. Located in Wilmington in the Stubbs Early Education Center, the Dual Generation Center strives to serve the whole family by offering wraparound services in one location. There are opportunities for adults in parenting skills, literacy, financial education, GED® preparation, and job training.

SRAP is designed to serve state residents who have access to continuing supportive services but require affordable housing to live safely and independently in the community, helping to round out the services of the Center. The program, funded by the Delaware General Assembly through an annual appropriation, uses rental subsidies administered by DSHA for households referred by DHSS and the Department of Services for Children, Youth and Their Families (DSCYF).

Households eligible for SRAP vouchers include individuals leaving long-term care facilities and nursing homes; individuals at risk of being admitted to or requiring services from a state-supported institution; young people exiting foster care; and families for whom the lack of affordable housing is a barrier to reunification. Participants contribute 28 percent of their monthly income for rent, and SRAP subsidizes the remaining portion. 

“DSHA is thrilled to expand the number of households eligible for SRAP through this pilot program with the Dual Generation Center,” said DSHA Director Matthew Heckles. “The program will provide more New Castle County families in need of supportive services with safe and affordable housing, easing a major burden for parents who we know are working toward other goals — from parenting to education to employment to financial stability.”

“The Dual Generation Center model starts with what children need to be healthy, stable, and successful,” DHSS Secretary Christen Linke Young said. “By pairing housing assistance with coordinated, family-centered supports, this pilot helps families find stability while building a path forward.”

Since its creation in 2011, SRAP has occasionally expanded to accommodate other target populations through pilot initiatives such as this one with DSS and the Dual Generation Center.

Under the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between DSHA and DSS, Dual Generation Center clients will be eligible for SRAP vouchers if all other housing options have been exhausted, if they meet existing SRAP program rules, and meet Dual Generation Center criteria, including:

• They participate in intensive case management for at least 60 days and maintain case management participation.

• They reside in New Castle County, with preference given to Wilmington families. 

• They meet Dual Generation Center employment requirements, including being employed at the same job for six months.

• They must not have had an SRAP voucher previously.

Under the MOU, DSHA will be responsible for screening and selecting applications, conducting inspections, and maintaining relationships with participating landlords and property owners. The Dual Generation Center will be responsible for providing case managers who will identify and choose eligible applicants and submit applications on their clients’ behalf.  Case managers will continue to provide supportive services to clients after they have been accepted into the SRAP program. The Dual Generation Center will designate a coordinator to work with DSHA during the pilot program.