Joe Brennan is the government affairs director for the Delaware Association of Realtors.
On April 7, the Delaware Affordable Housing Production Task Force released its final report and marked a critical step toward addressing the state’s growing housing crisis. With thousands of Delawareans struggling to find stable, affordable places to live, the report outlines a series of objectives designed to make residency more accessible, sustainable and achievable across all communities. The Delaware Association of Realtors is proud of the work required to produce this report, and it’s very appreciative of those on the task force who worked diligently to determine the best steps forward.
The 20-member bipartisan group brought together state and local officials, housing experts, homebuilders and community leaders. The report is the result of months of public input, research and collaborative effort. It focuses on vital core strategies: increasing and expanding affordable housing; implementing local zoning reforms; streamlining the approval and permitting process for housing developments; adopting a uniform building code statewide; strengthening local comprehensive planning requirements; and offering targeted incentives to developers that build affordable units. These goals reflect a comprehensive approach to increasing housing production, guided by both public policy and market realities.
A major priority identified in the report is the urgent need for more residences. The findings estimate that we need 45,000 additional units by 2030 and acknowledge the regulatory barriers constraining supply. As a solution, the task force recommends that the state allocate $100 million annually to the Delaware State Housing Authority to support affordable housing production and affordable rental opportunities. Funding should prioritize the needs of extremely low-income households, vulnerable populations and individuals with disabilities. A state budget that reflects these priorities, and housing generally, should be a priority for Delaware.
The Delaware Association of Realtors looks forward to working with Gov. Matt Meyer and the General Assembly to implement the task force’s recommendations to ensure that the First State moves toward real, lasting solutions. We must foster an environment that attracts new investment and reinvestment in housing, while reducing risks for those developing or managing housing units.
This report should serve as a call to action. The public/private partnership exemplified by the task force has put us on a path toward solving many of our state’s housing problems. We must build smarter, act faster and collaborate more effectively to ensure that every Delawarean can find a place to call home.
To learn more details regarding the recommendations made by the Affordable Housing Production Task Force, visit destatehousing.com.
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