By Mike Finney

DOVER — The lasting coronavirus pandemic and a very cold winter had left Ennio Emmanuel desperately searching for answers — and funding — to keep Code Purple Kent County financially afloat.

But Mr. Emmanuel, president of the organization, left a Kent County Levy Court business meeting Tuesday relieved, after commissioners agreed to issue $60,000 to help the homeless advocacy group make it through this season.

Most of the commissioners backed the emergency funding, with Commissioner Allan Angel, a co-founder of Code Purple Kent County, abstaining from the vote.

The source will be the Emergency Housing Assistance Program that was approved in the county’s fiscal year 2022 capital budget. Those monies weren’t used because of American Rescue Plan Act funds the county eventually received.

The Kent County commissioners also agreed to look into utilizing some ARPA resources to address the growing number of homeless individuals in the county before next winter.

“I feel great,” Mr. Emmanuel said. “I think I got teary-eyed up front when we were going through the process, but I feel really relieved. I feel like it’s an uphill battle to work with our population and to work with the vulnerable people, but I think this is a win. It’s a sign that our county is starting to see the need and wanting to solve it.”

He said Code Purple is sheltering 102 homeless people for the winter, with another 20 in halfway houses or hotels through the organization. That’s about a 65% increase from this time last year.

“We’re going to spend (the additional funding) between Maranatha Church and People’s Church for our rent that we pay there,” he said. “The individual churches, now that they have that rent, they’re going to pay it up-front. We’re going to have a little more income for hotel vouchers if they need to put (homeless people) in a hotel.

“We’re a lot more comfortable. We didn’t want to turn anyone away, especially during this season.”

Mr. Emmanuel added that financial stress has been great due to a lack of support from local government, despite the growing homeless population and a larger need for services.

He added that the bigger number of homeless individuals that Code Purple Kent County serves mirrors statistics seen across the state in recent years.

The Delaware Continuum of Care of Housing Alliance Delaware conducted the its last Point-in-Time Count on Jan. 27, 2021.

On that night, 1,579 people were experiencing homelessness in Delaware. That was a 35% increase from the 2020 PIT census of 1,165 people.

Code Purple Kent County has seen about the same increase in need for homeless sanctuary and assistance.

“Our organization only receives $3,000 (per year) from the county, and we usually receive $3,000 from the city of Dover ... because that is what they believe we deserve,” he said. “We also have only received $8,000 from grants-in-aid. This accounts for $14,000.

“Our rent at People’s Church alone is $2,500 a month, and at Maranatha Life Changing Church, it is $5,000 because it is more space due to office and sanctuary shelter use, plus utilities and maintenance and other expenses.”

Kent County Commissioner Jeffrey Hall heard about Code Purple’s plight and met with Mr. Emmanuel to receive details. Afterward, he put a request for assistance on the agenda for Tuesday’s meeting.

“It’s been a long two years, a lot of people have been suffering, and there has been a lot of disruption in jobs,” Commissioner Hall said. “So homelessness has increased drastically, and we’ve had one of the coldest winters that I can remember.”

The commissioner presented several options before Levy Court before it agreed on the final choice of $60,000 in funding.

“I think it would be best just to go with Option C, issue $60,000 to help offset the operating costs, so that they can just get things done and then give them more time, and we’ll start looking at targets and try to come up with a very good solution before we get into next winter’s temperatures,” he said.

Commissioner Eric Buckson said he often visits with homeless individuals in downtown Dover and originally came up with the notion of addressing the emergency now and coming back with a long-term solution before next winter.

“We can provide something that can get through this (winter) season and then work to utilize the ARPA funds to assist in the bigger picture,” he said. “That’s what I’d like to see done. I’d like to meet with about 20 (homeless people) and let them explain their experiences and what they need.

“What I would like to understand better is how to give an initial allocation of funds that’s freed up from a specific (area) that allows you to utilize those funds to get your needs covered and get us through the season and build a better plan.”

Mr. Emmanuel agreed that more discussion and more comprehensive plans are needed, as Code Purple Kent County is hoping to purchase a bus to educate about homelessness and provide minor medical services.

“We need our own large emergency day center and sanctuary shelter from the elements in Kent County, sponsored by our government, as well as the community, but this 95% the community and 5% government support has got to be stopped before all the ARPA money is spent, which they are going to spend it all by 2026,” Mr. Emmanuel said.

“This was our third meeting with Kent County, and Commissioner Angel and Commissioner Buckson and Commissioner Hall have visited (Code Purple) before, but we don’t see a lot of traction. This is the first time that something really big has happened, so we’re really excited.”