Kelly Basile is the chief operating officer of the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce.
One of the most pressing concerns we hear from the business community — especially in Sussex — is the lack of affordable and diverse housing in Delaware. This notion was reinforced earlier this year, when the Delaware State Chamber of Commerce released “The Trends Shaping Delaware’s Future,” a report on the state’s demographics and how they will influence Delaware’s trajectory.
Between 2025-35, the state’s population is projected to increase by over 6.4%, while the number of households is expected to rise by 5.7%. The supply doesn’t meet the demand.
Additionally, housing affordability is a key factor in where people choose to live. In Delaware, home prices have surged 56.2% over the past four years — outpacing the national average of 51.8%. Sussex County is the fastest-growing county, by percentage, in the mid-Atlantic. However, employees are finding it increasingly difficult to secure affordable housing near their places of work.
As the county grows, where will our nurses live? Where will our teachers reside? Our first responders and hospitality workers? These jobs are critical to the community’s success. However, the entry-level wages for these positions do not allow them to live in the currently available housing near their places of work. This mismatch makes people less likely to say yes to jobs because driving an hour or more to work every day is often unrealistic.
To maintain economic strength and competitiveness, Delaware must confront housing shortages and cost-of-living concerns. Cool Spring Crossing directly addresses this issue, with a thoughtfully planned mix of housing types, including rental apartments and town houses.
Beyond housing, this project brings significant economic potential. Construction activity alone is estimated to generate a one-time economic impact of $1.3 billion statewide and support approximately 6,400 full-time jobs. In addition, the developer’s investment in transportation infrastructure will help ensure that growth is both manageable and forward-thinking. That kind of job creation, paired with significant infrastructure improvements, is a win for the entire region.
We know that, since 2020, Delaware’s age 25-44 population has grown by nearly 14,000, and much of that growth was experienced in Sussex County. This mirrors a broader trend of amenity-rich counties growing at twice the national rate.
Addressing Delaware’s housing shortage is more than a local concern; it’s central to the state’s economic future. By supporting thoughtful, sustainable development, we can ensure that nurses, teachers, hospitality workers, young professionals and more across Delaware have access to housing near their workplaces.
It is when we allow deliberate planning and investment that Delaware can seize the opportunity to set a new standard for inclusive and responsible growth.
Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at civiltalk@iniusa.org.
