Council members Coby Owens, Shané Darby, and Christian Willauer held a press conference to outline a broad affordability agenda addressing rising rents, property taxes, water bills, and homelessness.
Owens, Darcy, and Willauer argue the measures are needed to prevent displacement. Critics — including Carney and Gov. Matt Meyer’s housing administration — have advocated for increasing housing supply, not regulating prices.
WILMINGTON, Del. — Three Wilmington City Council members on Monday used MLK Day to renew calls for sweeping affordability reforms, reviving a debate that last year drew sharp resistance from Mayor John Carney and state housing officials who warned that rent stabilization could undermine housing supply and investment.
Council members Coby Owens, Shané Darby, and Christian Willauer held a press conference to outline a broad affordability agenda addressing rising rents, property taxes, water bills, and homelessness. The plan is endorsed by the Working Families Party of Delaware and builds directly on Darby’s 2025 rent-stabilization proposal, which stalled amid opposition from city and state leaders.
While supporters argue the measures are needed to prevent displacement, critics — including Carney and Gov. Matt Meyer’s housing administration — have warned against similar plans, calling instead for increasing housing supply and not regulating prices, as a more effective long-term solution.
Council Members Frame Urgency
Owens, who represents the city’s 1st District, focused on housing conditions and homelessness, calling it unacceptable for residents to be forced into unsafe housing or onto the streets…