The monthly Council on Housing (COH) meeting was held this week at the Huling Cove community building in Lewes, Delaware.

Handouts include an Agenda, June 8, 2011 meeting minutes, and a presentation on the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP).

The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) reported on the following:

• The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) submitted a Project Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) application to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  In July, DSHA was notified that the contract they had for 12 years was not selected for renewal.  However, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provided a 6 month extension of the current contract term and it is likely that an additional 6 month extension will be provided.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will be issuing a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for Project Based Contract Administrator (PBCA) applications within 60 days, which the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) plans to pursue.
• On April 18, 2011, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) received $6 million from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) for the Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (DEMAP).  The Delaware Emergency Mortgage Assistance Program (DEMAP) assists homeowners who are at risk of mortgage foreclosure due to unemployment, underemployment, injury or illness.  Funds must be used by September 30, 2011, meaning all loan applications must close by this date.  To date, the Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) spent 2.5 million by funding 51 loan applications.

A summary of the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) was presented: This new program was launched in August, 2011, and addresses low-income and special needs populations, with an income of 30% State Median Income or less, that require affordable housing and supportive services.  The State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) is modeled after the Step Up program that ran from 2007- 2011.  The program has 37 participants and anticipates 25 additional participants by October 1, 2011.

Ms. Norma H. Zumsteg, Council Chair, and Ms. Ruth S. Sokolowski, Council Vice Chair, both agreed to remain as officers, therefore a motion was passed unanimously to close officer nominations.

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, October 12, 2011, at 1:00 p.m. at Liberty Court Community Building, Dover, DE.