Dover, Del. - The Delaware State Housing Authority (DSHA) and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Pittsburgh (FHLBank) have jointly announced the allocation of $1.075 million in grants to selected nonprofit organizations, aimed at supporting initiatives in Delaware that contribute to stable housing for homeless individuals and those at-risk of homelessness.
These grants, known as Home4Good grants, are made possible through the collaboration of various FHLBank member financial institutions. The list of supporting institutions includes Artisans’ Bank, Asian Bank, Community Bank of Delaware, Community First Fund, Community Powered Federal Credit Union, County Bank, Del-One Federal Credit Union, Dover Federal Credit Union, Ephrata National Bank, Erie Family Life Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Company, Erie Insurance Exchange, First Citizens Community Bank, Fulton Bank, Life Insurance Company of North America, LINKBANK, Meridian Bank, Millers Capital Insurance Company, New York Life Insurance & Annuity Company, Pioneer Appalachia Federal Credit Union, QBE Insurance Corporation, Santander Bank, N.A., Stepping Stones Community Federal Credit Union, TD Bank, NA, Tidemark Federal Credit Union, and Wilmington Savings Fund Society, FSB.
The Home4Good initiative, initiated by FHLBank, has been combined with DSHA funds to combat homelessness in partnership with FHLBank member financial institutions. The funds are disbursed as grants to organizations actively involved in assisting individuals in retaining or finding housing, providing supportive services, or addressing unmet needs within the existing homeless provider network. Home4Good serves as one of several avenues through which FHLBank collaborates with its members to offer vital funding and support to communities.
The funding will be dedicated to four crucial areas: homelessness prevention, homelessness diversion, rapid re-housing, and innovation. Fourteen programs from ten organizations in the state have been selected to receive funding. These organizations encompass Brandywine Counseling and Community Services, Catholic Charities, Inc., Family Promise of Northern NCC, Lutheran Community Services, Inc., Ministry of Caring, Inc., People’s Place II, Salvation Army, The Way Home, West End Neighborhood House, Inc., and YWCA Delaware, Inc.
Eugene R. Young, Jr., Director of DSHA, expressed his gratitude for the initiative, stating, “We’re honored to be a part of this initiative and proud to support the organizations working to address homelessness through a multitude of different approaches. From rapid re-housing to innovation, each program plays a valuable role in ensuring Delawareans have access to housing opportunities and support services.”
Winthrop Watson, President, and Chief Executive Officer of FHLBank, emphasized the importance of these combined funds, noting, “Through partnership with DSHA, FHLBank members provided $500,000 this year to 14 Delaware programs/projects. These combined funds are directed toward local service organizations helping those experiencing homelessness.”
Monica Alvarez, Director of Business Development of Brandywine Counseling & Community Services, Inc., underscored the significance of their Home4Good award, stating, “BCCS is committed to the street outreach work conducted through the Home4Good award. If nothing else, our Home4Good award has put a spotlight on how needed street outreach work is particularly in Kent and Sussex Counties. We are eager to continue serving this most vulnerable population.”