Delaware’s new home repair assistance initiative, the Statewide Emergency Repair Program (SERP), has received a National Council of State Housing Agencies 2017 Award for Program Excellence.
DSHA Public Relations director Dan Shortridge says the Statewide Emergency Response Program was created this year to provide a single-point of contact for home repair assistance for low-income Delawareans.
“The statewide emergency repair program focuses on addressing emergency conditions that really threaten the health or safety of Delaware homeowners and members of their households.”
Those issues include serious structural damage, roof leaks, plumbing and electrical repairs, and heating in the winter.
Shortridge says the Delaware State Housing Authority has been involved in home repair programs for a number of years, but decided to change its approach.
"A few years ago, we realized that there was a better way of doing it. So we had previously funded repairs through a number of partners, depending on jurisdiction, so it was kind of a patch-work of assistance programs out there. And we really wanted to streamline that process and make it easier for folks,” said Shortridge.
The program, operated by the Milford Housing Development Corporation, has already assisted 85 families with about $338,000 in emergency home repairs,
helping them remain in their homes.
If you’re home is in need of repair and you think you MAY be qualified for the program, call 844-413-0038.
