Affordable housing conference
The issue of housing and the future of jobs will be addressed at the annual Sussex County Today and Tomorrow Conference, Wednesday, Oct. 31, at Delaware Technical & Community College, Owens Campus.
Back in the 1980s, the term “affordable housing” applied to almost everyone; it meant almost anyone with reasonable credit could purchase a modest home. Today an affordable home is beyond the reach of a great number of Sussex County residents. An affordable home has become just a dream for many.
Although Sussex County is the fastest-growing county in the state, wages and benefits have not kept up with the rising cost of housing. The average cost of a home in Sussex County is more than $250,000; New Castle’s housing costs dropped below Sussex in 2006 to $235,000; and Kent County, after passing Sussex in cost in 2006, had dropped to third in the housing market, averaging $190,000 per home.
While housing in Sussex has gone out of sight, the average wage in the county has maintained a level of $50,000 since 2000, increasing to $55,000 in the past two years.
However, Sussex Countians wanting to purchase a median home at $260,000 with a $55,000 income would only qualify for a mortgage of $164,791, leaving a prospective buyer almost a $100,000 negative affordable gap.
Granted, most of the more expensive homes are along the coastline, but retirees and those wanting a second home are now looking toward purchasing in the Milton, Millsboro and Georgetown areas. Hospital officials at Beebe Medical Center in Lewes say the higher cost of homes in their area is hampering their recruitment efforts from technicians, to nurses and even doctors.
A small ray of hope for affordable housing can be found from the Milford Housing Development Corp., where participants work in a group setting with other households under the guidance of qualified construction supervisors that teach and educate each participant in building their home.
This group is not to be confused with the well-known Habitat for Humanity program. The Milford Housing Development Corp., which was begun in 1977 by a local minister, now has a full-time CEO and 10 full-time employees for its operation.
David Moore, president and CEO, will be one of the panel speakers at the conference, along with Joseph T. Conaway, commission president, Town of Bridgeville, who will speak of the housing community in progress for the 55 and older age group.
Registration is open to the public by phone at 855-1659 or online at scttc.sussexcounty.info.
The cost for the half-day conference is $25 or $20 for chambers of commerce members and includes breakfast and lunch. Preregistration is required.
source: capegazette.com
