Delaware Launches Pilot Programs to Enhance Disaster Housing Preparedness and Zoning Reform

The State of Delaware has unveiled two pilot programs, designed to provide free technical assistance to local governments in preparing for post-disaster recovery processes and modernizing zoning and land-use policies to address affordable housing challenges.

The Zoning and Land Use Reform Pilot Program, created through Senate Joint Resolution 8, aims to modernize zoning and land-use codes by encouraging a greater variety of housing types, promoting compact, mixed-use development, and addressing housing affordability challenges. Participation in the pilot is voluntary, and local governments will have the opportunity to select reforms they choose to pursue from a menu of options, including permitting accessory dwelling units, manufactured/modular homes, and higher-density, mixed-use developments.

The Disaster Housing Pilot Program, in partnership with the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, will provide technical assistance to three Delaware jurisdictions that adopt pre-disaster actions to streamline their housing recovery process. Participating communities will engage in workshops to assess local hazard risks, draft and adopt pre-disaster recovery ordinances, and identify future implementation actions over a 12-month period.

Key Takeaways:

• The Delaware State Housing Authority has launched two pilot programs to enhance disaster housing preparedness and zoning reform in local governments.
• The Zoning and Land Use Reform Pilot Program aims to modernize zoning and land-use codes, promote compact, mixed-use development, and address affordable housing challenges.
• Participating municipalities can select from a menu of options, including permitting accessory dwelling units, manufactured/modular homes, and higher-density, mixed-use developments.
• The Disaster Housing Pilot Program, in partnership with the University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration, provides technical assistance to three Delaware jurisdictions to streamline their housing recovery process.
• Participating communities will engage in workshops to assess local hazard risks, draft and adopt pre-disaster recovery ordinances, and identify future implementation actions.

Statistics:

• ***3*** Delaware jurisdictions have been selected to participate in the Disaster Housing Pilot Program.
• ***12*** months is the duration of the Disaster Housing Pilot Program.
• ***September 22*** is the deadline for applying to participate in the Disaster Housing Pilot Program.

Sources:

• The State of Delaware
• Senate Joint Resolution 8
• Delaware State Housing Authority
• University of Delaware's Institute for Public Administration