Progress being made with New Castle County’s Vacant Spaces to Livable Places
New Castle County leadership celebrated the success of the Vacant Spaces to Livable Places initiative Aug. 22.
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Progress being made with New Castle County’s Vacant Spaces to Livable Places
NEW CASTLE — New Castle County leadership celebrated the success of the Vacant Spaces to Livable Places initiative Aug. 22.
The program, launched in 2017, has converted more than 700 homes or vacant lots into affordable housing and led to the collection of more than $3.4 million in back taxes, fees and fines.
It has resulted in a 53% decrease in vacant properties countywide, and more than $1.7 million of the $3.4 million will be returned back to county school districts.
Additionally, the effort was recognized with a national award from the National Association of Counties this year.
Vacant Spaces to Livable Places formed after County Executive Matt Meyer began the New Castle County Vacant Housing Working Group, so various county departments could leverage their resources in the transformation of vacant homes. In addition to his office, other working group members include the departments of Land Use, Community Services, Law, Finance and Public Safety, as well as County Council and the Sheriff’s Office.
Several grants regarding vacant spaces have been received by the county, including $100,000 from the Delaware State Housing Authority for the maintenance of such properties, $1.3 million from DSHA to develop and rehabilitate spots along the Del. 9 corridor, and $25,000 from the Delaware Economic Development Office to bolster plans for Edgemoor Gardens and Sparrow Run, which have very high rates of vacancy and crime.
