The Sussex County Rental Program (SCRP), approved December 9th, 2008 and amended on November 1, 2016, seeks to stimulate the provision of affordable rental housing for the residents of Sussex County.
In 2019, Housing Alliance Delaware reported that there is a deficit of 1,990 affordable and available rental units Sussex County. Further, Housing Alliance Delaware indicates that it would take 93 hours at a minimum wage job to afford a two-bedroom apartment at Fair Market Rent in the County. Sussex County’s own Housing Needs & Market Study from 2019 found that rent has increased 10% in Sussex County since 2012 due to increased demand from an influx of higher-income residents. The same study found that Sussex County’s jobs were largely based in four lower-wage industries: Retail Trade, Accommodations and Food Service, Health Care and Social Assistance and Manufacturing.
New development is not adequately addressing the rental housing needs of the County’s low- and moderate-income residents and workforce. Without an adequate supply of affordable rental housing near employment and town centers, the County’s workforce must commute a great distance for work. Not only do long commutes have a negative effect on the environment and transportation but commuting also comes with high fuel expenses.
SCRP Projects
Coastal Tide
Sussex County’s first SCRP project, Coastal Tide, in Lewes is now accepting applications for the SCRP units. Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee an SCRP unit or a spot on the waiting list. Households submitting an application will be pre-screened for completeness of application, income eligibility, and other SCRP eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants will be notified in writing regarding status and of any further information deemed necessary by the developer or site agent.
The household must successfully complete the application process with the developer and/or site agent to be awarded a unit. The application process includes income verification, credit check, and criminal background check for all members of the household 18 years of age or older.
Please contact Coastal Tide Apartments at (302) 313-8787 for an application or visit the website. You may also visit the property at 33451 Mackenzie Way, Lewes, DE 19958.
Coastal Tide Presentation - County Council - December 8, 2020
Tenant Eligibility
- § Live and work in Sussex County for one-year preceding application; however, Employers may request waivers to this restriction
- § Applicant must maintain SCRP unit as principal occupant and primary residence
- § Tenants must earn between thirty and eighty percent (30-80%) of the Area Median Income. Income limits are defined below*:
|
Household Size |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
|
Minimum Income 30% AMI* |
$18,690 |
$21,360 |
$24,030 |
$26,670 |
$28,830 |
$32,760 |
|
Maximum Income 80% AMI* |
$49,800 |
$56,900 |
$64,000 |
$71,100 |
$72,600 |
$78,000 |
Rents
- § Rents are calculated using 50% AMI and fixed based on bedroom-size.
|
Bedroom-Size |
1 BR |
2 BR |
3 BR |
|
Rent (does not include utilities) |
$700 |
$835 |
$965 |
*Data is based on 2023 HUD Income Guidelines for Sussex County
Materials
Contact
If you are interested in participating in the SCRP Program as a developer OR tenant, please contact Brandy Nauman at (302) 855-7779 or via email.
Commitment to Fair Housing
It is the policy of Sussex County to comply with the Fair Housing Act, as amended, and the Delaware Fair Housing Act by ensuring that its officials, agents, and employees will not discriminate in any aspect of housing based on the following protected classes: race, color, religion, national origin, handicap/disability, familial status, sex, creed, marital status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, or source of income.