Housing
Safe and affordable housing is a central component of strong families. Good housing strengthens the bonds of community, revitalizes neighborhoods and transforms decaying and sometimes violent sections of our state into the bustling communities our residents deserve. While we have made significant strides towards achieving these goals in Delaware, we can always do better.
Strengthening Our Nation's Housing Programs — As a member of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, I have worked to improve and strengthen government housing programs, such as the Federal Housing Administration Guaranteed Mortgage program and the HOPE VI Affordable Housing program. For many Americans, the way into a first home used to be the FHA and loans from the Veterans Administration, but over the past few years these loans have not kept up with rising housing prices and have been hurt by bureaucratic administration. Through hearings and legislation I have supported modernization efforts to make the FHA program a more efficient and relevant alternative for aspiring homeowners.
But government programs are not the only solutions. I have worked with local organizations to develop the Delaware faith-based home-ownership network to increase the rate of homeownership for Delaware's hardworking families, regardless of income level. The goals of this initiative are to increase homeownership within the state and to improve the availability of affordable housing in Delaware.
Faith-Based Housing Initiatives — I have joined with numerous faith-based organizations to promote a series of housing fairs designed to educate the public about their home-buying options. These events include information sessions on the homeownership process, credit classes, financial literacy and available financing options. By using innovative outreach strategies and the latest technology to simplify and streamline the home-buying process, I hope to ensure that every Delaware resident has the ability to realize the American dream of homeownership.