[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6690533,"mediaKeyId","2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018","parentId",2159046,"title","Public commenter urges county committee to review Wilmington Public Library staffing, safety and funding","audioSeconds",168,"startMs",3295000,"endMs",3463000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018&start=3295&end=3463","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018/thumbnail_3295000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6690533/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Public-commenter-urges-county-committee-to-review-Wilmington-Public-Library-staffing-safety-and-funding","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690533-535f5e648e18fff235e468c7f37ab3fe/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156813&Signature=Zq1ZHwEttUTV93VXbgJnN5KXDY-~mu1syfjTJNAZJE1k-HyqbjojsYt0IRewOgmCDlfC5RNuHA~bHxRyLBe0HbmkEHTw1nkTxZuRNsGv5NiQYoorKlIfx5nUkc7IEDSM8tLVwWFFgmBCOSy-FQRPUhJLYULG-lWvtf0mqYM6tOkso6K~JH033WO0BD2lRvDUDZFqItne9lzm24qv3VlxKEyiwPtuLT8Tc9wCU5c2PnYcDSoTrtSqRawbgNutkVyAIpDe2wRDLYQ~t-isD8-SrXMFWYv3XMPQLLAYZaEgHmhMLtNdvcvUTfdCZXQWBUrWoIHJsxUK~EWy5BUM8GBmhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","New Castle County","date","2025-01-28T00:00:00Z","article","Don Farrell, a landlord and tenant‑rights advocate, used the public comment portion of the Community Service Committee meeting on Jan. 28 to urge the committee to convene a meeting with Wilmington Public Library staff about staffing, safety and funding.

Farrell said library staff feel unsafe at work and that the library has been unable to buy new periodicals; he asked the committee to hear the library’s concerns and consider additional funding. \"I would hope that your committee meet with the staff of the Wilmington Library to hear their concerns,\" he said.

Councilman Hollins responded that New Castle County funds all county libraries using a formula based on need and that the county has previously invested to address infrastructure issues. Hollins described prior county investments at the downtown Wilmington library — including work to separate air‑conditioning systems linked to the Hotel DuPont — and said the county seeks to provide equal access to library services across the county.

Why it matters: Public libraries provide community services including learning resources and quiet study spaces; the commenter said staff safety and the ability to supply materials are affecting the library’s mission. Committee members acknowledged the concern and discussed the county’s role in library funding and access.

What’s next: Hollins said the county can look into the issues raised; no formal committee action was taken during the meeting.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","New Castle County - Community Services Committee - Jan 28, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","A public commenter asked the Community Service Committee to meet with Wilmington Public Library staff about safety concerns and funding shortfalls; county leaders said New Castle County funds libraries under a county formula and described past infrastructure investments at the downtown library.","taxTitle","New Castle County, Delaware","taxId",12637,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6690536,"Centralized housing voucher waiting list opens Feb. 3; county housing authority and United Way to assist applicants",125,2715000,2840000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018&start=2715&end=2840","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018/thumbnail_2715000.jpg","/articles/6690536/New-Castle-County/Delaware/Centralized-housing-voucher-waiting-list-opens-Feb-3-county-housing-authority-and-United-Way-to-assist-applicants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690536-8ff2fa48355c1a35649ac540f872a2ef/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156813&Signature=lGqrWlSlk2CRrRrpzJ19pGewLpmO8uyf0IuCZmciEieIu~8smSUToLKvAk7vkh0kmogdcG1TSAUf3PxXathPpY6fMWd3OYE2SY31vKrS7hvik0mOaUBxbj3Fc8uV~HrxmLyl2WKoU94snP4HmiMvl9HIj9O~CzotGJo9NH7cniXh4YpekCG6lemfx6QTJIkfj1amgm-CCcAPg9UGMr-MPrYIwX2wUbtZ8qSqhuTDydOzVPcSJv-ynuChWT9ZdIw2njXojdn1CIuX8K-jrzzEi8cKZuCGF~N0IDpuhAKg6umY81yVR9vPmlC~GrNgwL3~qK2PiSCZbG924mKVKSsj9w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Asunta Scarpitti, administrator of the New Castle County Housing Authority, announced that a centralized waiting list for housing choice vouchers across Delaware will open on Monday, Feb. 3 and that the list is planned to remain open.

Scarpitti said the centralized portal will allow applicants to submit one application for multiple housing authorities across the state instead of applying separately to each authority. Applications will be available online at the Affordable Housing portal and applicants who need assistance may visit a local housing authority office or contact United Way by dialing 211 for help completing the online form.

Scarpitti said the waiting lists for authorities had not been open since 2018 in many places and that New Castle County received roughly 7,000 applications the last time its waiting list opened. She explained that current applicants who were already on local waiting lists had an opportunity to update their applications by Dec. 31 to be reinstated; housing authorities have an agreed process to reinstate those applications before moving on to new applicants.

General Manager Carrie Casey asked council members to share the press release and public information because staff expect a large response. \"We would love your help in sharing that information,\" Casey said, and reminded the committee that voucher and rental assistance programs are federally funded and could be affected by the reported federal funding freeze.

Why it matters: Opening the centralized waiting list is a significant access point for people seeking housing assistance; helping applicants complete forms and updating existing applications may affect applicants’ position on local lists.

What’s next: Scarpitti said the waiting list will remain open and that housing authorities will process reinstatements of previously listed applicants before moving to new applicants from the centralized pool. County staff will circulate public information and partner with United Way to assist applicants who lack internet access.","The statewide centralized housing choice voucher waiting list will open Monday, Feb. 3; New Castle County Housing Authority and United Way will provide in‑person assistance and paper applications for residents who need help applying online, officials said.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6690540,"County outlines LEHI and Healthy Homes grants, details state $1 million for elevated‑blood‑lead households",523,2142000,2665000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018&start=2142&end=2665","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018/thumbnail_2142000.jpg","/articles/6690540/New-Castle-County/Delaware/County-outlines-LEHI-and-Healthy-Homes-grants-details-state-1-million-for-elevatedbloodlead-households","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690540-a8c935205e6ba0b47bdfc0bdd5118e88/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156813&Signature=RU7Z8Z32JV2cEMX8nDhy8BQ9PbIk--~LyfOiAZeAW1AwlQLJaHfx1qMe8zABoFLPozxkSeCeJvp0ChF74EDRXg8mRpkBPZ1n6H7sqN~Mmz7JHKaWQHITOX01qNpHO45LorVQ~19XZWXSmxiuaOSiixD-nIJADTvvW72uyHVqUEwFH20-Zg~Oovo1CRwKQa-af2IkDhVj1qebNbJ4GCqcG0v~wUlK11F1shzS7QL243bBuN-nvIQoHbn6KKrtBn71AcPmtyUlkBvMC4X9v9bTOV6UZsDdtn29iMFejfEe0VeYyzqyhABETa~Lcj0mceCQlIsNv9A8kbPQAKbMwhDsHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Franshaun Dickinson, project director for New Castle County’s LEHI and Healthy Homes program, told the Community Service Committee on Jan. 28 that the county has received multiple HUD grants for lead hazard control and healthy‑homes work and that the county’s program serves homeowners, renters and landlord‑occupied units.

Dickinson said the county received an initial 2019 LEHI grant of $330,000 and later awards including a 2022 Healthy Homes production grant of $2 million and a 2022 LEHI and Healthy Homes grant of $880,000; she said the program has received $1,410,000 in HUD funding to date for LEHI and Healthy Homes activities. Dickinson said HUD recently increased the per‑unit maximum for lead remediation from $20,000 to $30,000 and for healthy‑homes items from $10,000 to $15,000.

She described the county’s approach to match funding and partnerships: the 2022 grant carries a match commitment of roughly $721,000, with the City of Wilmington committing $450,000 toward that match; the county’s previous 2019 grant included more than $600,000 in Wilmington match. Dickinson said the county has used match to supplement remediation work and to address units whose total costs exceeded HUD caps.

The county also received new state funding: Dickinson said the Delaware Division of Public Health dedicated $1,000,000 to provide services specifically for households with elevated blood lead (EBL) levels. Unlike HUD LEHI funds, the state EBL funding does not require households to meet HUD low‑to‑moderate income limits, Dickinson said, allowing the county to serve elevated‑blood‑lead households regardless of income.

\"We are one of the only programs that are not just available to homeowners, but also renters and landlords,\" Dickinson said, adding that the program has supported training, workforce development and local small business participation in lead abatement work. She named Black Mothers in Power, Habitat for Humanity of New Castle County and Cornerstone West as partners that provide referrals and assistance.

Why it matters: Lead hazard control is targeted at reducing children’s exposure to lead in housing; the state funds provide an avenue to assist families who would otherwise be excluded by HUD income rules. Dickinson emphasized the county’s competitive approach to federal grants and the importance of local match to expand scope.

Committee members praised Dickinson’s work during the presentation. Councilman Street called her performance \"not gonna go unnoticed\" and asked that the county recognize staff contributions. Dickinson noted match can be non‑cash (personnel time) and reported average unit costs from an earlier grant cycle when additional match allowed more comprehensive remediation.

What’s next: Dickinson thanked the committee for ongoing support and said she would return with specific funding requests as grant opportunities arise. The committee also discussed agenda item 25012, a proposed amendment to the county budget to accept $1,000,000 from the state Division of Public Health for LEHI/Healthy Homes administration; Councilman Hollins asked to be recorded as a cosponsor of that agenda item.","Project director Franshaun Dickinson reviewed New Castle County’s LEHI and Healthy Homes grants, past match commitments and partners; staff said the state Department of Public Health has dedicated $1 million to assist households with elevated blood lead levels regardless of HUD income limits.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6690545,"New Castle County staff outline HUD five‑year consolidated plan as council members voice concern about federal funding freeze",1382,359000,1741000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018&start=359&end=1741","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2159046-6f4ac108c710127edc9ab5881a012018/thumbnail_359000.jpg","/articles/6690545/New-Castle-County/Delaware/New-Castle-County-staff-outline-HUD-fiveyear-consolidated-plan-as-council-members-voice-concern-about-federal-funding-freeze","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6690545-965d1ebd3c5c0e9478aae1ededb586f6/orig.mp4?Expires=1771156813&Signature=AbKlQFLzVtn0-EdUu2SIjE7ZV~pMJogtqR8F8V7suONI56hjiZPjT0JP42f5fd~B0shv0Eh7yNTVhM0-PdxW07ItJGcFiRe0HtSJEgAZsMumEYgQ2DbKu7TujbEzC9QAAfjovpKej0BRDltlgw4m4qHpb5usXnC7cfLxMVn6c-POytuF-4s6vqSBkuPT-xPRc7Etm~XWbMITOk4Q0gKWCx0w9cZiLf6E1qELCX5PreMxZ~vbp5W~hwEN7hDfZGt7Q4L7E-YN45G6lEB3QG5WLFAPwmSm5AmdttJhKALr7Mm~x~bGOAp4pYipRtIZUlY1QOwxQdz~1crJArQzOqOJBw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nicole Waters, acting manager for community development and housing with the New Castle County Department of Community Services, told the Community Service Committee on Jan. 28 that the county has contracted with Mullen and Lonergan to prepare its next five‑year consolidated plan required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The plan — which Waters said identifies local needs, a housing and homeless needs assessment, a market analysis, a strategic plan and an annual action plan — is the document HUD requires for communities to continue receiving federal grants such as the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) and the Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG).

Waters said the county will hold stakeholder meetings and collect data over the next several months to prepare the plan for HUD approval. \"A 5 year consolidated plan is the document required by HUD for communities to continue to receive federal grants,\" Waters said.

Council members used the presentation to discuss a separate, simultaneous concern: reports of a freeze on federal grant funds. Councilman Street called the reported freeze “no joke,” urged unified local action and said the county should support state attorney generals and the congressional delegation in legal and political responses. Councilwoman Janet Kilpatrick and Councilwoman Carter also urged coordination with the county’s federal delegation and with national county groups to press for bipartisan advocacy in Washington.

General Manager Carrie Casey told the committee the county executive’s office had already contacted the congressional delegation and that county staff would continue outreach. \"All of these programs are federally funded and are all on the list that was received today, to be frozen,\" Casey said. \"The executive office has already been in touch with the congressional delegation.\" She added that the county pays approximately $1 million in rent monthly for about 1,800 families through HUD‑funded programs and that a freeze would be disruptive.

Why it matters: HUD allocations support housing rehabilitation, homelessness services, rental assistance and public services in New Castle County. The consolidated plan determines how those federal resources are prioritized locally; a federal pause on grant disbursements would create immediate uncertainty for agencies and residents who rely on the funding.

The county plans public stakeholder meetings and technical assistance for applicants; Waters urged council members and providers to participate in the outreach. Committee members also discussed briefing materials for the county’s federal delegation to explain New Castle County programs such as inclusionary zoning and the county housing trust fund, both cited during the meeting as local tools that complement HUD funding.

What’s next: Waters said draft documents will be prepared after HUD releases the county’s 2025 allocation and that the county’s annual action plan submission date could change based on HUD’s timing. Council members requested continued updates and coordination with the county executive’s office on federal advocacy.","County staff described the start of the five‑year HUD consolidated plan process and the county’s HUD‑funded programs; council members and officials raised alarm about a reported federal freeze on HUD grant disbursements and urged coordination with the congressional delegation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenter urges county committee to review Wilmington Public Library staffing, safety and funding

Centralized housing voucher waiting list opens Feb. 3; county housing authority and United Way to assist applicants

County outlines LEHI and Healthy Homes grants, details state $1 million for elevated‑blood‑lead households

New Castle County staff outline HUD five‑year consolidated plan as council members voice concern about federal funding freeze