Housing isn’t a luxury – it’s a basic human need. It’s what anchors families, strengthens neighborhoods and lays the foundation for equitable communities. Yet across Delaware, far too many residents find that renting or buying a home remains out of reach.
In many ways, Delaware’s affordable housing story mirrors the nature of journalism itself. Both demand persistence and partnership, and both are shaped by creativity, collaboration and a shared commitment to the public good.
Much of my journalism on the state’s housing issue is inspired by conversations with families facing eviction, first-time homeowners adapting to new responsibilities and Wilmington residents who are finally seeing long-overdue investment in their neighborhoods. These personal accounts guide my work, ensuring coverage extends beyond real estate data to include the organizations, resources and policy initiatives working to address the crisis.
Connecting housing policy to people
The urgency of Delaware’s housing crisis was underscored by the 2023 Delaware Housing Needs Assessment, which identified a shortage of more than 19,000 affordable rental units for low-income households. It also revealed that most families earning under 120% of the state’s median income of $80,000 cannot afford to buy a home. But these numbers aren’t just data points. They represent the daily struggles of Delawareans who are living with housing insecurity, rising costs and limited options…