By Mike Finney

DOVER — Tracey Harvey, the city’s Community Development Block Grant director, proposed $300,000 in funds for four subgrantees last week — a move approved by a City Council committee.

After a brief presentation to the Parks, Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee at a Council of the Whole Meeting at City Hall on March 12, members voted to forward the recommendation to the full council.

Therefore, the remaining allocation of a five-year grant is closer to being distributed to the grantees of Dover’s consolidated plan, including a homeownership assistance program, the Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing, the Central Delaware Housing Collaborative and the Milford Housing Development Corp.

Councilman Brian Lewis abstained from voting, citing a conflict of interest as a former board member of the mission.

The funding recommendation will be on the consent agenda for the City Council meeting Monday.

“The proposed (Community Development Block Grant) budget slated for (fiscal year) ’24 is the remaining allocation of the five-year multiyear grant,” Ms. Harvey said. “The two public service grants are capped at 15% of the public service cap, with the proposal of $15,000 to Dover Interfaith Mission, due to a carryover from FY ’23 that has not been drawn down yet.

“The FY ’24 allocation amount has not been received by the (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) at this time. Staff is requesting to include a contingency provision to adjust the budget to the actual allocation amount once it’s received by HUD.”

Councilman Fred Neil pointed out that what the committee approved relies on the assistance the department provides.

“Basically, since we don’t know what HUD is giving, this can’t be final,” he said. “What we’re approving today is to literally be on a contingency basis based on what is received.”

Ms. Harvey also pointed out that this is the final year of the multiyear grant. The funds will be awarded to the same grantees the city has awarded for those five years.

“When I did the proposal, I did it close to (the funding) we got last year, so I’m pretty sure I should be within 20%, so I won’t have to go back,” she said. “That’s why I put a provision in there to make any changes I need to before the May 15 HUD deadline, so I won’t be behind.”

The beneficiaries include a homeownership assistance program ($100,000), where the city will provide settlement aid to up to five low- to moderate-income first-time homebuyers purchasing affordable housing in Dover.

Dover Interfaith Mission for Housing funds, recommended to be $15,000, will be used for operation costs, including utilities and maintenance.
The Central Delaware Housing Collaborative is slated to receive $35,000 to operate a women’s shelter. It is also considered to be a public service activity and subject to a 15% cap.

Lastly, the Milford Housing Development Corp. is suggested to receive $95,000 for emergency repairs for single-family, owner-occupied units in violation of the city’s housing code. This project will serve between five and 15 households.

These monies will also be used to rehabilitate such homes, servicing two or three low-income residences.

The remaining $60,000 of the funds would be used to oversee management of the Community Development Block Grant program in the city, as 20% of the allocation is for program administration.

Applications for the next round of Community Development Block Grants will be accepted starting in January 2025.