Delaware Leaders Celebrate $5M for Laurel Housing

Laurel, DE - U.S. Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester and U.S. Representative Sarah McBride visited Laurel today. They joined NeighborGood Partners, local officials, and community leaders to celebrate $5 million in federal funding for affordable housing in southern Delaware.

The stop in Laurel was the final part of the delegation's "Delivering for Delaware: Federal Investment at Work" tour. The tour covered three sites across Sussex County in one day.

Earlier in the day, the delegation highlighted $3.72 million in healthcare investments. La Red received $2 million for improvements to its Georgetown facility, $720,000 for its Seaford facility, and $1 million for its Rural Re-entry Program. Beebe Healthcare received $1.775 million for its new Coordinated Care Center in Millsboro.

At the Laurel stop, the delegation highlighted $2 million in federal funding along with $3 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding. The money will help expand the Meadow View project, where 245 new homes are planned. Attendees saw the site where the first 50 homes will be built.

"It's challenging to actually finance, approve, build, deliver, and sustain quality affordable housing, so thank you, NeighborGood, for everything you've done to make all of this possible," said Sen. Coons. "We as a delegation are so proud to have secured $2 million this year along with the ARPA funding for projects NeighborGood is leading that will provide safe, sanitary, decent, affordable housing for deserving Delawareans."

"Delaware continues to take bold action toward ending the affordable housing crisis. This funding will build upon the passage of the 21st Century Road to Housing Act and support the great work being done by our local partners on the ground," said Sen. Blunt Rochester. "We will continue to move forward with this level of collaboration and innovation to meet the diverse housing needs across the First State."

"Ensuring families have access to affordable housing is a key focus of our congressional delegation," said Rep. McBride. "I am proud to stand alongside Senator Coons and Senator Blunt Rochester as we celebrate this multi-million-dollar investment in NeighborGood's Meadow View property and the affordable homes that will serve families across Sussex County."

"Meadow View represents a significant investment in affordable homeownership in Laurel," said Karen Speakman, CEO of NeighborGood Partners. "With 245 homes planned across five phases, this project will help create more opportunities for families to put down roots and build long-term stability through homeownership."

"A home is about more than a roof over your head," said Dr. John Moore, Board President of NeighborGood Partners. "It is where families grow and communities become stronger. We are proud to be part of creating that opportunity for families in Laurel."

"We know that increasing the supply of housing helps solve our housing crisis, so this $2 million in Congressional funding to help NeighborGood Partners build its newest 245-home community is great news for Delaware," said DSHA Director Matthew J. Heckles. "It is exciting to see the diversity of housing and amenities that is planned for the Meadow View community."

"NeighborGood Partners leveraged ARPA funding to expand access to affordable housing for Delaware families," said Kyle K. Pritchard, Delaware Director of Accounting. "Their work demonstrates what public resources can achieve when paired with trusted community partners."

"The partnerships with Senator Coons, Senator Blunt Rochester, and Congresswoman McBride, as well as with the NeighborGood partners, have been instrumental in bringing this tremendously needed development to our beautiful town of Laurel," said Laurel Mayor Carlos Oliveras. "It would be a tremendous lift to our town in terms of property taxes and in terms of bringing talent and opportunity to our town."

Together, the four investments announced during the tour total $10.495 million. The funding covers healthcare, primary care, and housing for families across southern Delaware.

NeighborGood Partners has served communities across the Delmarva Peninsula since 1976. The nonprofit, formerly known as NCALL, focuses on affordable housing development, housing counseling, and financial education for families across the region.